Harrogate Borough Council has seen a 400% increase in the number of caseloads for council tax reduction amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a performance report, council officers said the caseloads had “increased significantly” in the first quarter of the year along with cases of housing benefit.
A report before senior councillors this week put the increase down to more people applying for reductions to the council.
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It said:
“Time taken to process new council tax reduction and housing benefit claims have been included in this exception report as caseloads for both performance indicators have increased significantly as a result of the pandemic and people seeking ways to help their situations.
“For example, the case load for new council tax reduction increased by 400%”
It comes as the council received £863,157 from government this June to help reduce bills for vulnerable people by £150.
As part of the support package, those who already qualify for the council tax reduction scheme would see their bills reduced.
At the time, Wallace Sampson, chief executive of the authority, said the council was supporting those who are the most vulnerable.
