Coronavirus COVID-19 information
Information and useful links how the delivery of Council Tax, Housing Benefit, Local Council Tax Reduction, Business Rates and Business Improvement District (BID) has been affected due to the current coronavirus (COVID-19) emergency.
Customer Service Restrictions
Customer Service counters are now closed to the public:
- Breckland House, Thetford
- East Suffolk House, Melton
- Marina, Lowestoft
- West Suffolk House, Bury St Edmunds
- Fenland Hall - open by appointment only 9am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (closed Thursday).
- East Cambs, The Grange
Go to: Anglia Revenues Online for further assistance.
Are you or someone you know vulnerable?
If you are vulnerable or know of somebody who is vulnerable please contact the Norfolk County Council Support Helpline on 0344 800 8020. Further details are available via The Norfolk Assistance Scheme.
Useful advice and support links for your area
Help and Support Available
If you have been financially affected by COVID -19 please see information and useful links below regarding assistance with your rent, Council Tax or business rates.
Use the links to make a claim or report a change in your circumstances. Do not delay in making your claim or reporting a change as any financial support may not be backdated.
Support for East Suffolk and West Suffolk residents:
Further help can also be found through the Suffolk Support and Advice Service which helps people across the county access information or support relating to debt, benefits, housing or employment. You can contact the service on 0800 068 3131 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or visit the Suffolk County Council website- Suffolk Advice and Support Service for more information.
Support for Breckland residents:
Further help for Norfolk residents who are suffering from hardship as a result of COVID-19 can also be found through the Norfolk Winter Support Scheme.
Test and Trace Payment Scheme
Application forms can be found on individual Local Authority websites;
- Breckland Council Self-Isolation Payment Scheme
- East Cambridgeshire District Council Self-Isolation Payment Scheme
- East Suffolk Council Self-Isolation Payment Scheme
- Fenland District Council Self-Isolation Payment Scheme
- West Suffolk Council Self-Isolation Payment Scheme
Universal Credit
Department of Works and Pensions
Understanding Universal Credit - Coronavirus and claiming benefits
More useful information regarding the coronavirus has been provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Council Tax
If you are experiencing difficulty in paying your Council Tax, please contact us to request a change or delay in your instalment plan using the forms below.
Please note: Any requests for a break in instalments should be made by completing the form below and requests cannot be processed over the telephone, and only one break can be requested per household.
If you are requesting a two month break in instalments please be aware that only one request will be permitted in this financial year.
- Payment Enquiry Form - Breckland Council
- Payment Enquiry Form - East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Payment Enquiry Form - East Suffolk Council
- Payment Enquiry Form - Fenland District Council
- Payment Enquiry Form - West Suffolk Council
Make a claim for Council Tax Reduction below if you are on a low income or your income has reduced and you have less than £16,000 in capital.
If you are working age and in receipt of Council Tax Reduction you will be eligible for an additional grant of up to £150 to help towards your Council Tax bill. The payment forms part of a new government fund aimed at helping vulnerable households during the COVID-19 outbreak and payments will be allocated to your account automatically if you are eligible.
- Council Tax Reduction Claim Form - Breckland Council
- Council Tax Reduction Claim Form - East Cambridgshire District Council
- Council Tax Reduction Claim Form - East Suffolk Council
- Council Tax Reduction Claim Form - Fenland District Council
- Council Tax Reduction Claim Form - West Suffolk Council
If you are already in receipt of Council Tax Reduction complete our Change of Circumstance form below to let us know about changes to your income.
- Council Tax Reduction Change of Circumstances Form - Breckland Council
- Council Tax Reduction Change of Circumstances Form - East Cambridgshire District Council
- Council Tax Reduction Change of Circumstances Form - East Suffolk Council
- Council Tax Reduction Change of Circumstances Form - Fenland District Council
- Council Tax Reduction Change of Circumstances Form - West Suffolk Council
Help With Paying Your Rent
Most working age people should claim help with rent costs through Universal Credit,
However, if you are pension age or live in supported or temporary accommodation you should claim Housing Benefit using the links below.
- Housing Benefit Claim Form - Breckland Council
- Housing Benefit Claim Form - East Cambridgshire District Council
- Housing Benefit Claim Form - East Suffolk Council
- Housing Benefit Claim Form - Fenland District Council
- Housing Benefit Claim Form - West Suffolk Council
If you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit complete our Change of Circumstance form below to let us know about changes to your income.
- Housing Benefit Change of Circumstances Form - Breckland Council
- Housing Benefit Change of Circumstances Form - East Cambridgshire District Council
- Housing Benefit Change of Circumstances Form - East Suffolk Council
- Housing Benefit Change of Circumstances Form - Fenland District Council
- Housing Benefit Change of Circumstances Form - West Suffolk Council
Discretionary Housing Payments
If you are already in receipt of Housing Benefit or the Housing Element of Universal Credit and are experiencing difficulty in paying your rent, make a claim for a Discretionary Housing Payment below as you may be entitled to some additional support
- Discretionary Housing Payments Form - Breckland Council
- Discretionary Housing Payments Form - East Cambridgshire District Council
- Discretionary Housing Payments Form - East Suffolk Council
- Discretionary Housing Payments Form - Fenland District Council
- Discretionary Housing Payments Form - West Suffolk Council
Business Rates
In a response to the current coronavirus outbreak, the Government has announced new measures to support businesses. Further guidance to employers and businesses about COVID-19 is now available.
We are currently receiving a high volume of calls and correspondence regarding these announcements. As a result, response time to queries and other communications may be delayed whilst we wait for further guidance from central Government.
We are currently working on issuing revised bills showing the correct relief entitlement, there is no need to make a claim. All new information regarding reliefs and grants will be reviewed and updated on our website as soon as received.
- For the latest information regarding the reliefs and grants announced in the budget go to Help For Businesses - Retail and Grants.
Other help and advice is available from The Money and Pensions Service.
If you are experiencing difficulty in paying your business rates or Business Improvement District (BID) payments; please contact us to request a change or break in your instalment plan using the forms below.
Please note: Any requests for a break in instalments should be made by completing the form below and requests cannot be processed over the telephone, and only one break can be requested per business rates or BID Account.
If you are requesting a two month break in instalments please be aware that only one request will be permitted in this financial year.
Business Rates
- Business Rates Payment Enquiry Form – Breckland Council
- Business Rates Payment Enquiry Form – East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Business Rates Payment Enquiry Form – Fenland District Council
- Business Rates Payment Enquiry Form – East Suffolk Council
- Business Rates Payment Enquiry Form – West Suffolk Council
Business Improvement District (BID)
More helpful information and guidance will be posted on this page as it is confirmed.