Financial help if you've lost your job or had a drop in your income because of COVID-19

Help available if you can’t work, have been made redundant or have trouble paying your Council Tax and other bills.

What you get may depend on your circumstances. It can be complicated to claim benefits and you should get help before you do this, especially if you already get benefits. Check the Citizens Advice site for help. 

Find out how much you could get by using the benefits calculator.

Help with Council Tax

If you’re struggling to pay your Council Tax, you can:

• apply for Council Tax Reduction
• tell us you’re having problems paying your Council Tax by using the Council Tax general enquiry form or calling 0117 922 2900, we’ll do everything we can to help

Only get in touch once you know what your income is likely to be, for example if you’re a furloughed worker or you’ve claimed Universal Credit.  We can give a reduction for up to six months before the date you applied.

We’ll be in touch regarding any amount owed if you’ve missed payments and offer support to get back up to date with payments, including:

• reorganising payment plans
• working out monthly instalments

There’ll be no interest on debts due to missed Council Tax payments and we won’t be taking recovery action for council tax debts for now.

You can’t work because you’re ill or self-isolating

If you’re too ill to work because of COVID-19 or have been advised to self-isolate you:

• should receive statutory sick pay (SSP) (GOV.UK) if eligible, speak to your employer and either get a fit note from your GP or an ‘isolation note’ from NHS 111 online
• may also be entitled to contractual sick pay, check with your employer
• can apply for Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK), this is a means tested benefit and will take into account the income and capital available to your household, including any sick pay you may receive
• can apply for new style Employment and Support Allowance (GOV.UK), which is based on your individual national insurance contributions

You can’t work because your employer’s business is affected

Your employer can designate you as ‘furloughed’ through the coronavirus job retention scheme (GOV.UK).

This means you should continue to receive at least 80% of your usual salary, up to £2,500 a month. This also applies if you’re casual staff or on a zero hour contract. 

Contact your employer if they haven’t spoken to you about this.

If your employer has gone into administration, you will need to contact the administrator to access the scheme.

You were made redundant

If you were made redundant after 28 February 2020 because of coronavirus (COVID-19) you can:

• contact your former employer and ask them to designate you as ‘furloughed’ through the coronavirus job retention scheme, they’ll have to rehire you to qualify
• apply for Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK) if you don't already get benefits

You’re self employed and your business has been affected

If your business and income has been affected, you can:

• apply for the Self employment Income Support scheme (GOV.UK) 
• apply for Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK) if you’re not eligible for the Self-employment Support scheme or need extra help such as help with rent payments and you’re not already getting other benefits

Help with other bills

If you’re having trouble paying bills you:

• may be entitled to Universal Credit (UC) (GOV.UK)
• may be able to claim an advance against your first payment (GOV.UK) if you’ve made a claim for Universal Credit, which will be recovered from future payments
• may get an increase in the Housing Benefit or Universal Credit because the Local Housing Allowance rate has increased, this will be applied automatically
• can report your change of circumstances to us to see if you’re entitled to an increase in housing benefit, if you already get these benefits
• can report your change of circumstances on GOV.UK to see if you’re entitled to an increase in Universal Credit
• can apply for an advance payment of your Universal Credit (GOV.UK), which will be recovered from future payments, while you wait for your first payment if you’re in financial hardship
• ask your mortgage lender about a repayment holiday (FCA.ORG.UK)
• speak to your landlord about your rent, landlords aren’t allowed to start eviction proceedings for at least three months
• apply for an emergency payment for food, gas or electricity through the Local Crisis Prevention Fund
• can contact your child’s school to find out if they’re eligible for free school meals and the free school meal (FSM) vouchers
• can check the coronavirus and your money page on the Money Advice Service website for advice