How to use online council services

Councils offer many services online — Council Tax, bins, parking, housing, Blue Badge applications and more.

1. Find your council’s real website: search its name, and look for a web address ending in .gov.uk.
2. Type it yourself or use a saved bookmark — not a link from a text or email.
3. Look for a “Do it online” or “Services” section.
4. Online forms save as you go on most council sites — you can stop and come back.
5. If a form defeats you, that’s the form’s fault, not yours. Councils still offer phone lines, and libraries can help in person.
6. The council will never text you asking for card details to “refund” Council Tax — that’s a known scam.

The .gov.uk ending is your friend — it can’t be faked.

From Kindred Compass — calm help when technology feels confusing. kindredcompass.co.uk