RESIDENTS are being offered advice on how to keep up-to-date with their council tax payments - as new bills begin to arrive on York doormats.

City of York Council is reminding homeowners and tenants that it is important bills are paid on time, and that people do not fall into arrears with their council tax payments.

The authority is encouraging residents to pay their bills by direct debit, while those who pay by standing order will have to contact their bank to take into account revised

payments and the dates they need to be paid.

Bills are due to be sent out today, while housing and council tax benefit

notification letters will follow next week.

Benefit entitlements will be shown on the council tax bills. Anyone who thinks their benefit details are wrong because their circumstances have changed should contact the council immediately.

A form for this purpose will be provided with the benefit notification letters.

Residents who are not currently claiming council tax or housing benefit can use the benefits calculator on the council's website - www.york.gov.uk - to check whether their council tax or rent payments can be reduced.

Customers who want to phone the council tax or benefits teams are reminded this is the busiest time of year and they may have difficulty getting through.

Julie McMurray, the council's head of revenues and benefits, said: "We would ask anyone experiencing difficulties in making contact by telephone to bear with us.

"We apologise for any inconvenience, but we always receive an increased volume of calls at this time of year.

"We want to reassure customers that we are making every effort to deal with their enquiries as quickly as possible."

Residents are can also contact the council tax and benefit teams by email on council.tax@york.gov.uk

Updated: 11:47 Friday, March 17, 2006