COVID-19 restrictions in Kirklees tells you more about what this means.
Exceptional Hardship Grants and Test and Trace support payments
Local Welfare Provision offers help for vulnerable people in short-term crisis with food, benefits, fuel costs and COVID-19 assistance. You may be eligible for an Exceptional Hardship Grant. If food is required it usually arrives the same day or the next working day.
Apply for a Test and Trace support payment
You may be entitled to a Test and Trace support payment if you are isolating because you have been contacted by Test and Trace.
Council Tax
If you can still afford to pay your Council Tax, it is more important than ever that you continue to pay your bill. If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax or any other bills due to the impact of coronavirus, there is support available.
- Housing Benefit and/or Council Tax Reduction
You may be eligible for Council Tax Reduction, which is a discount for working age people. It reduces the amount of Council Tax you pay. The size of the discount you receive depends on your income and household size.- If you already receive Council Tax Reduction you will receive an additional reduction, up to £150.00, towards your total Council Tax bill. You don't need to do anything, we will deduct this automatically from your Council Tax bill.
- If you do not receive Council Tax Reduction and your circumstances have changed due to the coronavirus you can apply for it.
- Council Tax support
If you are struggling to pay your bill, please get in touch with the Council Tax Team so that we can make sure you are getting all the support you are entitled to.- Email council.tax@kirklees.gov.uk (Please put COVID-19 in the subject line of your email and we will get back to you as soon as possible)
- We can check your Council Tax charge is correct, find out if you are due any discounts or exemptions and agree an alternative payment plan.
- We can also look at your arrears so that we consider everything you owe to us and avoid any extra costs or charges.
Benefits
Make sure you have claimed all the benefits you are entitled to. For working age families, this could be Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Statutory Sick Pay.
- Better Off Kirklees
Shows what benefits you are entitled to - such as Universal Credit, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Statutory Sick Pay - and helps you apply for them online. Also advises how to find and apply for jobs. - How to claim universal credit
This is a monthly payment to help with your living costs. You may be able to get it if you're aged 18 or over, on a low income or out of work. You may also be eligible if:- you are on furlough
- you are self-employed, your income has reduced due to COVID-19 and you are yet to receive support through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme grant extension
- Phone 0800 328 5644 if you can't apply for Universal Credit online, or have a question about your new claim
Help with school
- Free school meals
The voucher system will be in place as normal for future school holidays for children who normally receive them during school time. - Other food support and help
- Phone Freephone 0800 4561114
- Free school uniforms
Uniform Exchange are providing free school uniforms. - Get help with technology
Parents, carers and pupils cannot apply for laptops, tablets or internet access. You should contact your school for help accessing remote education.
Debt and financial advice
- Debt advice
What to do if you can't afford to pay your council tax and other options for paying off your debts. - Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing - Money support
Money advisors can provide free and impartial advice to all tenants. - Charities which can help with debt
- Kirklees Citizens Advice and Law Centre advises on debt, homelessness and employment as well as other issues.
- Step Change Debt Charity
- Other financial advice
Business support
Help for businesses and self-employed
There are business support grants for businesses forced to close or severely impacted due to local restrictions or national lockdown, and and income support grant for the self-employed.
- ACAS: Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for employers and employees
Advice on working safely, working from home, sick pay, furlough and more.
Housing advice
- Keeping your house warm and reducing energy bills
Includes advice, and points you to some of the schemes available. - Winter Fuel Payment
May be available to help you pay your heating bills if you were born on or before 5 October 1954/ - Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing
Advice for council tenants. - For tenants supported by Pinnacle
- Email kirklees.housing@pinnaclegroup.co.uk
- Phone 0330 036 1517
- Guidance for landlords and tenants
Guidance on possession notices, health and safety obligations, repairs and inspections. - Mortgages
Some lenders have agreed to offer reduced payments and three-month mortgage holidays to their customers. If you are struggling to pay, contact your mortgage provider for advice.
Risk of homelessness
- If you are at immediate risk of homelessness
- Phone 01484 221350
- Email housing.options@kirklees.gov.uk
- Tell us about someone sleeping rough
If you see someone you think is sleeping rough.