With the new financial year about to begin, households across the district should have received a new Council Tax bill.

We understand that it can sometimes be confusing where the money goes, why you should have to pay it, and what you can do if you can't afford it. 

To help with this, we've put together this short video that has all the answers to these questions and more.

If you'd like to know more about these subjects, watch the video on our YouTube page.

Council Tax Reduction (CTR) helps people on low income with their Council Tax.

You can claim Council Tax reduction if you are working but your earnings are low or if you are receiving state benefits.

Council Tax reduction is subject to a means test – your income is measured against your needs and the amount of Council Tax you pay. CTR can only help towards your Council Tax.

The level of CTR you may be entitled to is based on your income. However, some incomes (for example certain disability benefits) are ignored or ‘disregarded’.

Broadly speaking the lower your income, the more CTR you might be entitled to.

Generally, you cannot claim if you have savings or capital of more than £16,000.

To find out more about claiming CTR and to make an application, visit lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/CTR.

Other Council Tax discounts

Depending on your circumstances there are other ways you may be able to claim a Council Tax discount. Some examples include: 

• Single Person Discounts - if your property is your sole or main residence and you are the only occupant living at the property who is over 18 years of age, then you could be eligible for a 25% single person discount.
  
  
• Student Disregards - if you or someone in your property is a full-time student then that person may be ignored (disregarded) when counting the number of adults living in the property if they meet the relevant criteria.
  
  
• Disabled Band Reduction - we may be able to grant you a reduction on your Council Tax if a resident (adult or child) at the property has a disability. If there's an extra room in your home with certain features essential to a resident with disabilities, or the use of a wheelchair is required indoors then you may qualify for a reduction. The discount will be a band reduction on your Council Tax. This means that your property will be treated as though it was in the next lower valuation band.

For a full list of the Council Tax discounts available and the eligibility criteria for each, visit lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/CounilTaxDiscounts

As you'll have seen in the video, Council Tax funds a range of essential services throughout East Sussex, such as waste collections, Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire and Rescue and Adult Social Care to name just a few.

Without this funding, these services would not be able to be run, so if you can afford to pay your charge on time, it's best for everyone that you do.

Nine out of ten people that can afford to pay on time, choose to do so - so don't be the odd one out!

The quickest and easiest way to pay your Council Tax is by direct debit. You can choose your instalment plan and what day of the month you'd like the money to be paid from your account automatically. 

Visit lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk/PayYourCouncilTax  to set up a direct debit for your charge. 

If you are impacted by the increased costs of living, there's lots of support available.

Lewes District Council is offering funds to residents on a low income who will miss out on the government’s £650 cost-of-living payments. 

Our ‘safety net’ payment is available to eligible residents in Lewes district who are struggling to keep warm, buy enough food or pay essential bills.

To qualify you must currently receive housing benefit or council tax reduction but not one of the means-tested benefits that would qualify you for a cost-of-living payment from the government. Alternatively you can claim if you do not receive a means-tested benefit but you have a low household income.

For more information on this scheme and for guidance on other support available through central government and energy suppliers, visit our dedicated help with the rising costs of living webpage.