PEOPLE of working age who are claiming council tax support in Swindon are eligible for a further one-off grant.

Swindon Borough Council has been allocated just over £1.3m in funding from the government to help council tax claimants who are struggling as a result of the pandemic.

The government has asked local authorities to grant each claimant an additional one-off £150 council tax support payment or pay off their outstanding balance it is less than that amount.

This will be applied to council tax accounts automatically and revised bills should be made available in the middle of June.

The council received an additional 1,300 claims between April and May.

This support for people facing financial hardship is the latest in a series of measures from the council to help residents and businesses during the coronavirus crisis.

The #HereForSwindon package of support includes providing free parking for NHS staff and volunteers, free childcare for key workers and extending bus passes for older and disabled people.

During the pandemic, the Swindon Emergency Assistance Fund has been used to provide food and essentials to people who could not make payments and are being ‘shielded’.

Coun Russell Holland said: “This is an incredibly difficult time for everyone and the Council is doing everything it can to help.

“This latest funding from the government is very welcome. More than 3,300 people in Swindon are already receiving 100 per cent council tax support, but we know there are likely to be many more residents who may be entitled to this one-off funding.

“If you are currently in financial hardship and believe you may be entitled to council tax support please get in touch and our officers will be only too happy to help.”

For more information, visit www.swindon.gov.uk/HereForSwindon