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 - open by appointment only 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
  • 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.

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 & 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 for further information.

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.

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. Please do not contact us, we will automatically rebill you once this grant has been applied over the next few weeks

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.

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.

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.

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

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.   

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 Improvement District (BID)

More helpful information and guidance will be posted on this page as it is confirmed.