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Council tax and financial support

Advice and support is available to anyone living in Leicester who is experiencing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus. Trained staff are available by telephone and online. There is crisis support to help with fuel bills and food too.

Paying your rent

If you are facing difficulty in paying us rent please discuss the situation with your Income Management Officer as soon as possible. They can offer the following support:

  • Spread your rent payments and agree an instalment arrangement to clear any arrears.
  • Support to maximise your income and claim benefits to help pay your rent.
  • Refer you to specialist supporting agencies for independent legal advice or support with any financial or debt worries
  • Help you sustain your tenancy and avoid any court enforcement proceedings which could lead to the loss of your home.

Please contact us to discuss your circumstances by telephoning 0116 454 1007 or email Incomemanagement@leicester.gov.uk.

Did you know you can now view and pay your rent balance through our Housing Online service. 

Council tax

The pause on collection of unpaid council tax will end on 14 September 2020.

We encourage you to contact us immediately if you are having difficulty making your payments, or if you wish to report a change in your circumstances which will affect your council tax support or housing benefit.

Advice and support is available to anyone living in Leicester who is experiencing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus. Trained staff are available by telephone and online. There is crisis support to help with fuel bills and food too.

Council tax hardship fund

In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the government has given us funds to support residents financially in a number of ways. The hardship fund for council tax can help you by cutting your council tax bill further. This means that because you are on a low income you will pay even less during the coronavirus emergency. To find out more go to our council tax hardship fund page.

How do I get in touch?

In the subject line of your email, please include ‘Council tax’, ‘Housing benefit’ or ‘Council tax support’ with your account reference or claim number, if you have one.

If you cannot email, use the numbers below to get in touch:

We are currently unable to process posted items, so please do not write to us.

Making payments

Please do not pay by cheque. Go to our payment page or ring our automated payment line on: 0116 454 1012.

You can find further information on council tax and council tax support using the links below:

You can also sign up to view your accounts or claims online.

Are you on low income and struggling to pay your council tax?

If you are struggling to pay your council tax and are on a low income with savings of less than £16,000, we have introduced a simple process to claim council tax support. If you are in exceptional difficulty, you can apply for council tax discretionary relief. Find out more on our council tax support page.

New claims for council tax support and housing benefit will be prioritised to help ensure that people can pay their council tax or rent.

Crisis support

If you are experiencing financial crisis and have no funds for utility bills or food, you can claim crisis support.

Email your name and phone number to C19support@leicester.gov.uk.

We will call back between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. The application will be completed over the phone.

If you are in exceptional financial difficulty you may apply for council tax discretionary relief.

If you are struggling to pay your rent on top of your universal credit, you may claim a discretionary housing payment.

Universal credit

You can find advice on universal credit at GOV.UK. 

To get information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus, go to the Understanding universal credit website. 

  • Citizens Advice LeicesterShire - free, independent and confidential advice on debt, budgeting, housing, employment, family issues and community care.
  • Understanding universal credit (DWP) - get information about the changes the government has brought in to support people who are already claiming benefits, need to claim benefits, or are at risk of losing their job as a result of coronavirus.
  • Moneywise Plus - provides financial and digital support to people out of work
  • Helping Hands - offers welfare benefits, housing, employment, family law, and debt advice.
  • Community Advice and Law Service (CALS) - offers specialist welfare benefits, debt and housing advice
    • Phone: 0116 242 1120 (Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm)
    • CALS contact form
  • Saffron Resource Centre - provides advice regarding benefits, debt and money guidance.
    • Phone: 07393 719 607 (Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 4.30pm and Friday, 9.30am to 3pm)
    • Email: barbara@srcentre.org.uk
  • Somali Development Service - offers wide range of information and support which includes; benefits, family and youth support, community care, housing, domestic violent support. Translation is also available. 
  • Zinthiya Trust - provides a wide range of support including; money, debt, domestic abuse, emergency food, utilities and grants for white goods and furniture. Face to face appointment service available with social distancing in place. Call the number below to make an appointment first.
    • Phone: 0116 254 5168 (Monday to Thursday, 9.30am to 4pm and Friday, 9.30am to 2pm)
    • Address: 12 Bishop Street, Leicester, LE1 6AF
  • Energywise is a free advice and support service that works with Leicester residents to reduce energy costs and usage, manage energy accounts , and enhance income and budgeting.' To access this service you must send your name and contact details to energywise.enquiries@cals.uk.net who will contact you.