GuideExceptional Hardship Fund

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1. Apply for an Exceptional Hardship Fund payment

Get help paying your Council Tax, through the Exceptional Hardship Fund

Are you struggling to pay your council tax, even though you have received a reduction of some sort?

If you are experiencing financial hardship then you can apply for this short-term emergency fund to meet the shortfall.

EHF will be awarded at our discretion after careful consideration of your individual circumstances. If your application is successful, it will usually be made as a one off payment direct to your council tax account, reducing the amount of council tax you have left to pay.

Please complete the online form by clicking on the blue start button.

If your housing benefits or Universal Credits do not cover you full rent you can apply for a Crisis and Resilience Fund Housing Payment (previously Discretionary Housing Payment) on the same form.

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More info about the journey

Details of:

  • your total household income
  • you and your partner's savings
  • you or your partner's loans or debts

When this content has been updated

Last updated 29 May 2026