Coronavirus - Benefits and money advice

• If you’re income has reduced you should:
  • Click here and then click on the ‘Council tax’ reduction box and enter your details into the Online Calculator to find out if you qualify for Council Tax Reduction.
• If you currently receive a council tax reduction you should:
  • Get in touch with us as soon as possible if there are any changes to your circumstances. Click here and then click on the 'Report a change' button and fill in the form. We will then be able to make sure you’re given the correct discount.
• If you’re unable to keep up your Council Tax payments:
  • Click here and scroll to the bottom of the screen to the ‘Council Tax General Enquiries’ blue box. Please complete the form outlining your current difficulty and any payment proposals.

Update 26/03/20: Latest position on collecting council tax:

With immediate effect, we will not be taking any recovery action against households who fail to pay their Council Tax because of sudden financial hardship in relation to the current Covid-19 crisis. No reminder letters will be issued if you’re unable to pay your bill next month (April 2020) and all recovery methods will remain suspended meantime.

It’s important however, for those who do find themselves in a position to pay their Council Tax, to keep doing so. We need this money to provide vital services - all normal methods of payment will stay in place at present and Direct Debits will be taken as normal.

If you’re unable to meet the payments due to a drop in your income, please claim for a Council Tax Reduction. You can do this here: https://www.fife.gov.uk/kb/docs/articles/housing/council-tax/council-tax-reduction

We have also instructed our debt collection partners to suspend all new recovery action against households with existing Council Tax arrears.

We’ll be reviewing the situation regularly.

For more help with benefits and money advice during this situation visit www.fife.gov.uk/coronavirus-moneyadvice

For support with rent click here

For the latest information on claiming benefits please click here

If you’re experiencing difficulties paying other council bills please email the most appropriate team from the list below with your name, address, account number, outline your current difficulty and any payment proposals.

Income Recovery/Debtors Invoices Income.Recovery@fife.gov.uk

Housing Benefit Overpayments HBOP.enquiries@fife.gov.uk

Former Tenant Arrears fta.enquiries@fife.gov.uk

Any customers who are self-isolating and who would normally make payments using Paypoint or Post Office can use other ways to pay including:

• Online at www.fife.gov.uk/payments and selecting ‘pay it online’.
• By calling our automated telephone payment line on 03451 550055.
• Via online banking using the following details:

Sort code 83-22-37

Council Tax – bank account number 00197596

Income Recovery – Bank Account Number – 00637537

Housing Benefit Over-payment – bank Account Number – 10939973

Former Tenants Arrears – bank Account Number – 00197723

You will require a debit or credit card and your account number.

Face to face job clubs are currently suspended until further notice

DWP NOTICE:

Weekly and fortnightly job search reviews have been suspended for 3 months and Payments will be unaffected. Please let your DWP Coach know if you will have difficulty updating your online journal if you can update your journal use the statement below:

“I have problems accessing the internet because of services closing down or limiting what they offer. I will try my best to keep doing my job search and the agreed activities but may have to adapt what I do according to the measures taken to address the Covid-19 situation. I will try to update my journal as often as possible.”

If you want to talk to someone about Welfare Support, please call:

Cowdenbeath Area

Kelty & Cowdenbeath (Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm):

• Linzi Forbes - 07535 650 273

Benarty, Cardenden, Bowhill and Lochgelly (Monday – Friday, 9am – 4pm):

• Eddie King - 07515 290 119

City of Dunfermline

• Lauren Cruickshank - 07730 751 895
• Angela Baillie - 07901 044 432

Glenrothes Area

• Iris - 07702 339 259
• Linda - 07702 339 258
• Fiona - 07544 656 654

Kirkcaldy Area

• Jane – 07432 677 387
• Carol-Ann - 07889 647 665
• Biff – 07841 860 619
• Lee - 07702 338 679

Levenmouth Area

TBC

North East Fife Area

• Laiza - 07889 647 664 - 9.30 am - 12 noon
• Katrina - 07515 291 113 - 1pm- 4 pm

South West Fife & Villages

• Angela Baillie - 07901 044 432
• Sarah Smith - 07985 739 452

From 23 March no meals will be prepared in schools (other than for those attending Children’s Activity Centres). For children already registered for free school meals as of 23 March, a payment will be received on 25 March. A payment will only be made for Primary 1 – 3 pupils if they receive free school milk.  A letter will be sent to everyone receiving a payment on this date.

If you think you may be eligible to receive this payment, further information and the online application is available at www.fife.gov.uk/schoolbenefits.

Anyone having difficulty accessing or filling in this form, should contact the Benefits & Council Team online  or 03451 55 11 55.

The school clothing grant will continue to be paid.