Introduction
We are upgrading our system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates.
- Mendip – 29th August – 16th September
- Sedgemoor – 8th September – TBC (Approximately 3 weeks)
- Somerset West and Taunton – TBC
- South Somerset – TBC
Mendip Revenues and Benefits system downtime
Mendip is the first area to switch to the new system.
How this might affect you
- Direct Debits – You cannot set up a new direct debit until after 15th September 2025.
- Single Person Discount – You will be unable to apply for this discount until after 15 September 2025. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can still give you the discount from that date.
- Student Discount – You cannot apply for this until after 15 September 2025. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can backdate the discount.
- Severely Mentally Impaired Discount – You will be unable to apply for this until after 15 September 2025. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can backdate the discount.
- Post Office Payment Cards – We will no longer be issuing new cards. If you already have one, please see the section below.
- Refunds – You will not be able to request a refund until after 15th September 2025.
What you can still do while our systems are down
Even though some services aren’t working, you can still do the following:
- Claim benefits – You can still apply for help with council tax. Visit our Council Tax Reduction page.
- Report changes – If something has changed (e.g. your income or who lives with you), you can still tell us. Visit our Report a change of circumstance for Council Tax page.
- Pay by Direct Debit – If you already pay this way, your payments will carry on as normal. If you need to cancel or change a payment due on 15th September or 1st October, please contact your bank.
- Pay online – You can pay using a Visa or Mastercard credit or debit card on our website.
- Pay by phone – Call 01823 210923 any time to use our automated payment line. You’ll need a debit or credit card.
- Pay by internet or phone banking – You can set up payments using your bank’s app or website. Use the account number on your bill. Our bank details are:
- Account name: Somerset Council
- Account number: 00000000
- Sort code: 57-84-09
- Pay at the Post Office – You can keep using your current payment card until April 2026. Your next bill (usually sent in March 2026) will have a barcode you can use to pay at the Post Office or PayPoint. Find your nearest PayPoint.
Sedgemoor Revenues and Benefits system downtime
The Sedgemoor area is the second area in the process of switching to the new system.
During this time:
- Online Forms: There will be some disruption to online forms. More details will be available on our website nearer the time. Claims for benefits or changes in circumstances will still be available.
- Customer Services will be unable to process changes or claims during this time; however, they will continue to provide advice.
- We will update this page and let you know when services are back to normal.
- Housing Benefit customers. Customers will receive a letter with details of their Housing Benefit payment dates. This is just to keep you informed, as we will be aligning payment dates across Somerset.
- Payments can be made online and via the automated telephony line as usual.
- Direct Debits will also continue as normal. We don’t anticipate having any issues with Direct Debits, but should customers wish to cancel or amend their Direct Debit for the 21st September or 1st October payment, they will need to contact their bank directly.
- Bank Details: Our Service User Numbers and Mandate References are changing. We will update you once this has been confirmed.