Rhondda Cynon Taff: advice for residents with payment problems

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is working hard to help residents keep their payments up to date in the current economic climate.

Difficult financial times mean people may be experiencing difficulty paying their Council Tax, or may have already fallen into arrears and are unsure what to do.

The council is striving to help all Council Tax payers keep their payments up to date.

Through early intervention, it is hoping to prevent residents from falling into arrears and is providing advice and guidance on how best to manage individual finances and where appropriate, support any benefit claims to reduce bills where an entitlement is identified.

Crucially early contact with the Council is encouraged for anyone getting into difficulty paying their Council Tax.

The Council is also working closely with the Citizen Advice Bureau and other organisations in an effort to support families through identifying entitlement to benefits (including Council Tax Benefit and Free School Meals which supports a Council priority to help reduce child poverty in the area).

The Council will however take action against residents who choose not to pay their Council Tax. This can ultimately lead to court action and residents are reminded not to ignore reminders for payment, but to immediately contact the Council if they have a problem with payment.

The Council’s Customer Service Contact Centre and One4All Centres are open between 8.30am and 5.00pm and are experienced in dealing with Council Tax and Benefits. If you are having difficulty in paying or just want advice on benefit entitlement you can ring them on 01443 681081.

The Council offers a wide range of payment methods to pay Council Tax. More and more people are now choosing to pay their Council Tax by direct debit, which is now easier to do than ever before. Since its launch in August 2009 over 1,200 residents have signed up to direct debit over the telephone.

Payment options include:

• Direct Debit – this can now be done securely over the telephone and you can choose from a range of payment dates. If you are interested in paying your Council Tax by direct debit please ring 01443 681081 to discuss
• On Line – visit www.rhondda-cynon-taf.gov.uk and make your payment on line
• Over the phone – dial 01443 681081 and you can make a payment without waiting in a queue
• In person – at any of the Council’s One4All Centres, any Post Office or your local bank