Important notice for Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton residents

Introduction

We are upgrading our system for Council Tax, Benefits and Business Rates.

• Mendip – 29 August – 23 September (COMPLETE)
• Sedgemoor – 8 September – (estimated) week beginning 29th September
• Somerset West and Taunton – 29th September – (estimated) week beginning 20th October
• South Somerset – TBC

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.

Somerset West and Taunton system downtime

During this time:

• Online Forms – There will be some disruption to online forms. More details will be available 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, but will continue to give advice.
• 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 online and via the automated telephony line can be made as normal.
• 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 1st, 8th, 15th, 20th, 23rd October, or 1st or 8th of November payment, they will need to contact their bank directly.
• Bank Details: Our Service User Numbers and Mandate References are changing.  Look out for more information.

Residents are reminded that the Council will never contact them to ask for bank details by phone, email or text message.

Mendip Revenues and Benefits system downtime

Mendip is the first area to switch to the new system.

Service disruption

From 29 August 2025 until 23 September, some of our services were not working as usual. This work has now been completed, and you can now use the new portal if you are in the Mendip area.

• Direct Debits – You can set up a new direct debit
• Single Person Discount – You can apply for this discount. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can still provide you with the discount from that date.
• Student Discount – You can apply for this discount. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can backdate the discount.
• Severely Mentally Impaired Discount – You can apply for this discount. If you became eligible during the downtime, we can backdate the discount.
• Post Office Payment Cards – We will no longer be issuing new cards. 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.