Wandsworth Council Tax Hardship Fund and Arrears Help

When Council Tax Reduction Is Not Enough

Council Tax Reduction covers up to 100% of your bill depending on your scheme level, but not everyone qualifies — and even those who do sometimes face a remaining balance they cannot pay. That is where Wandsworth's discretionary hardship relief and emergency support come in.

Three separate routes exist, each with different eligibility rules and purposes. Most residents do not realise all three are available.

Section 13A Discretionary Relief

Under Section 13A(1)(c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, Wandsworth Council has the discretionary power to grant individual Council Tax reductions or write-offs in cases of exceptional financial hardship. The council decides whether to grant relief.

Exceptional financial hardship is the basis for consideration. In your request, explain:

• Your income and circumstances make your remaining council tax genuinely unaffordable after CTR has been applied
• Any circumstances contributing to that hardship, such as job loss, relationship breakdown, domestic violence, a flood or fire
• What other available support you have tried and what bill remains unaffordable

To ask about Section 13A relief, contact Wandsworth Council and ask how to submit an individual request. Explain your financial hardship and provide supporting evidence; the council assesses requests individually.

If the council refuses, ask it to explain the decision and how to request a review.

Wandsworth Crisis and Resilience Fund

Separate from Section 13A, Wandsworth operates a Crisis and Resilience Fund that combines emergency grant support, housing payments, and financial stabilisation assistance for residents in severe hardship.

Check Wandsworth Council's Crisis and Resilience Fund information for current eligibility and application details.

If You Already Have Council Tax Arrears

If you are challenging a Council Tax Reduction decision, continue paying the monthly amounts on your latest bill while you wait; a grievance or appeal does not suspend the obligation to pay. If your appeal succeeds, an overpaid balance is credited to your account or refunded.

The earlier you act, the more options you have. Contact Wandsworth Council about your account and seek free debt advice as soon as possible.

Free Debt Advice

If your council tax arrears are part of a wider debt problem, get specialist advice before making any payments or agreements. The following services are free, confidential, and independent:

• StepChange — 0800 138 1111 (freephone), stepchange.org
• National Debtline — 0808 808 4000 (freephone), nationaldebtline.org
• Citizens Advice Wandsworth — 0808 278 7833, drop-ins at Battersea Library (265 Lavender Hill) and Roehampton

These organisations provide free debt advice and can help you consider your debts together.

Do not ignore council tax debt. If you are unsure how to manage arrears, contact one of the free advice services above.

The Wandsworth Council Tax Reduction guide explains the Section 13A application process in detail and includes a dispute timeline planner for tracking deadlines if you need to challenge a council decision.

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