It’s time to end the Council Tax Trap for people with mental health problems. 

Money and Mental Health’s research shows that up to two million people with mental health problems in the UK have fallen into a Council Tax Trap - missing one payment that triggers aggressive demands for rapidly escalating amounts of money.

Within six weeks of a single missed payment, councils are demanding 12 times the original debt, piling on unfair charges for things like liability orders and calling in the bailiffs - it has to stop.

This particularly affects people with mental health problems, who are twice as likely to be behind on council tax payments, with their symptoms making it impossible for many to open the post, fill in forms or make a phone call - paralysed while their debt spirals.

“It’s an appalling system, I can’t manage it. As soon as I start hearing threats, I become incapable. But even when I’m well enough to contact them and ask for a payment plan to help me keep on top of my finances, they bin me off,” (Sharon, affected by Council Tax debt). 

We’re calling on the new Government to end the Council Tax Trap by:

• Changing national regulations so that people are given more time before they are hit with bigger bills, court summons and bailiff action.
• The introduction of a cap on how much people can be charged for being issued a liability order.
• Local authorities taking steps to protect people with mental health issues before escalating debt collection processes. 

Together we can end the #CouncilTaxTrap for people with mental health problems.

Find out more at www.moneyandmentalhealth.org