A SCHEME which provides help for people who are struggling to pay their council tax as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic is set to be extended.

South Oxfordshire District Council and Vale of White Horse District Council are hoping the move could benefit more than 3,000 households across the two districts.

In June the councils provided up to £150 discount off 2020/21 council tax bills for residents on lower incomes who qualify for the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. Because the pandemic has continued to impact people financially, the councils have agreed to increase this support and will be providing an additional discount.

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People who qualify for the means tested Council Tax Reduction Scheme will now receive up to £255 off the 2020/21 bill for those in the Vale and up to £270 off for those in South Oxfordshire. The discount is being paid for by a government hardship fund which was announced last year.

Councillor Leigh Rawlins, said: “I’m pleased that we have now been able to approve this additional discount. We are putting this additional discount in place to make sure that those who need support the most will receive it. For many families and individuals this will make a real difference over the next couple of months.”

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