Worrying about paying your Council Tax? Seek help sooner rather than later There is lots of free, confidential help and advice available. Since 1 April 2013 more people have been asked to pay Council Tax. If you are one of those and are finding it difficult, act quickly. Keeping to the instalments avoids the stress of receiving reminder notices or going to court. Call Council Tax Customer Services on Tel. 0300 1234 171 the sooner they know the sooner you can stop worrying. Cornwall Council have a fund to help and it is called the Exceptional Relief and Transitional Support Fund. If you are of working age and receive Council Tax Support call the Benefits Contact Centre by phone: Tel. 0300 1234 121 or email benefits@cornwall.gov.uk CAB Cornwall - Tel. 0844 499 188 text CAB 82727 and they will provide free independent debt and money advice. They will be able to discuss your needs and will prioritize what is right for you and can even represent you in County Court hearings. National Debtline - phone free on Tel. 0808 808 4000 Christians Against Poverty - gives free debt help to anyone Tel. 0800 328 0006 Payplan - provides free advice on debt and budgeting, including debt management plans and Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) Tel. 0800 280 2816
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Work and Skills for Cornwall
Money problems do not solve themselves, and the longer you leave them the more difficult it is for you to sort things out. Failing to pay the Council Tax can have serious consequences, seeking help quickly can avoid the courts. If you receive a reminder it is important to pay the overdue amount. If you ignore the reminder you may have to pay the full year’s Council Tax in one go.
Helping Cornwall avoid the Sharks and the Courts
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Help can come from all directions:Family Information Services (FIS) - holds a wide range of information about children’s services and Money Matters Tel. 0800 587 8191 Jobcentre Plus - for income support employment and support allowance, job seekers allowance. For information, advice or to make a claim go to www.gov.uk or call 0800 055 6688 To find out more information on benefit entitlement go to www.gov.uk where there are a range of calculators to let you know what benefits you could claim. Cornwall Works Hub - is the gateway to a range of support to help people with health problems and other workless residents of Cornwall, including those worried about redundancy return to work and will source the best help for you, free of charge. Tel. 01872 355015 www.inspiringwork.org Money Advice Service - Independent service set up to give free, unbiased money advice online, on webchat, over the phone, in printed guides and face to face www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk Cornwall Housing - Housing, Council Tax and benefits advice please contact your local One Stop Shop in person Tel. 0300 1234 161 NHS Direct - Health advice and information 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Tel. 0845 4647 Winter Wellbeing - for advice on how to save money and keep warm and well Tel. 0800 954 1956 The England Illegal Money Lending Team - cracking down on unlicensed lenders Tel. 0300 555 2222