Check If You Qualify

Indebted Scots Urged to Get Help with Council Tax Arrears

Sharon McDougall - 29th October 2019 - 2 minutes to read

Indebted Scots are being urged to check whether they’re entitled to claim council tax reductions.

The encouragement comes from Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), which has highlighted the extent to which council tax is now a major financial headache for people throughout Scotland, particularly those who are struggling to manage their debts more generally.

The charity says that it was approached for guidance on debt-related issues by around 3,400 people in the year 2018/19, with council tax arrears a big problem for a significant proportion of those people.

In fact, CAS says that the people it helped with debt problems in that period owed a collective total of some £6.4 million in council tax, at an average of £1,900 each.

That evidence has led the charity to highlight the fact that households entitled to council tax reductions in Scotland can save themselves around £700 a year and potentially ease some of their debt management woes in the process.

Despite those reductions being available and council tax clearly being a major financial burden for a lot of people, CAS says that the number of Scots claiming council tax reductions fell by more than 9,000 in the year to June 2019.

The charity recently launched a website - www.checkmycounciltax.scot - specifically to help people living in Scotland find out if they might be entitled to reductions on their council tax bills.

“We want more people to access the scheme and cut their bills as a result,” explained Myles Fitt, a financial health spokesperson for CAS.

“Local Authorities should also ensure that they have systems in place to help people who have difficulties paying council tax from getting into problem debt.”

CAS has also been campaigning to convince indebted Scots that they really should claim whatever financial support they might be eligible to from the government.

The charity says that there are many thousands of people across the country who currently don’t claim financial support that could be helping them reduce their bills or keep pace with them.

If you live anywhere in Scotland and you’re finding it tough to fend off your creditors then Scotland Debt Solutions can help. Contact us directly to arrange a FREE and confidential consultation.

facebook colour icon linkedin colour icon messenger colour icon whatsapp colour icon email colour icon
Sharon McDougall Square

Sharon McDougall

Manager

Other News

Debt Levels Soaring across Scotland, New Figures Show Debt Level Rising

Debt Levels Soaring across Scotland, New Figures Show

Levels of unsecured debt in Scotland increased dramatically during 2022 as the cost of living crisis took its toll on household finances.

Nearly Half a Million Scots Facing ‘Profound Financial Hardship’ Financial Hardship

Nearly Half a Million Scots Facing ‘Profound Financial Hardship’

Close to half a million Scots are in a position of profound financial hardship, according to a new set of figures.

Scots with Disabilities Urged to Check Eligibility for New Benefits Scottish Man In Wheelchair

Scots with Disabilities Urged to Check Eligibility for New Benefits

Disabled people in Scotland are being urged by the government to check whether they might be eligible for benefits that could help make their life a little easier.

About

Why Choose Us

Usp Location

5 Offices in Scotland

National Coverage

Usp House

Ask us About

Home Visits

Usp Hand Heart

Helping Scots Get

Out of Debt Since 1989

Usp Handshake

We offer an

Instant Initial Consultation

Usp Palm Wallet

We'll Help You

Lower Monthly Payments

Usp Hand Heart

HELPING SCOTS GET

Out of Debt Since 1989

We'll give you a call

Our Scottish based team can help advise you on your debt problems.

Here at Scotland Debt Solutions we take your privacy seriously and will only use your personal information to contact you with regards to your enquiry. We will not use your information for marketing purposes. See our Privacy Policy.

Tools

Useful tools

Personalised Debt Report
Usp Planner

Personalised Debt Report

Our personalised debt report will help you better understand your financial position and see where your money is going.

Debt Report
Instant Scheduled Call & WhatsApp
Headset

Instant Scheduled Call & WhatsApp

Arrange a call with an expert advisor at a time to suit you or contact our team via WhatsApp for immediate help and advice.

Arrange Callback
Find a Local Office
Usp Signpost

Find a Local Office

We have five offices located across Scotland. Find your nearest one here.

Find an Office

Our Insolvency Practitioners are regulated by ICAS or the IPA and our firm is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority

Fees and Information: There are fees associated with our services. These will be fully explained before entering into any of the personal debt solutions referred to on this website. Full details of our fees and how these are charged are fully explained to you prior to you committing to any particular service.

ICAS Insolvency Practitioners