There has been a surge in the number of people being taken to court for not paying their council tax, officials say.
Leicester City Council has had to issue 7,147 people with summonses to appear before magistrates since the beginning of April – a rise of 3,225 compared with the same period last year.
The council believes the increase is, in large part, down to welfare reforms brought in by the Government in April.
It is urging people to get in touch with them at an early stage to try to arrange payment plans rather than go to court where they may face further costs on top of their outstanding bills.
The Government has stopped fully funding a benefit scheme which supports residents who need help paying their council tax bills and told councils to run their own system.
The city council saw a 10 per cent cut in the £32 million it received from the Government to meet the costs. That means it can no longer pay 100 per cent of the council tax of 25,000 claimants of working age.
They now get 80 per cent of their bill paid.
The move has seen 16,654 people receiving council tax bills for the first time.
Councillor Sarah Russell, assistant mayor for neighbourhood services, said: "The Government reform of council tax benefit is having an impact on some of the poorest people in the city.
"We have been sending out soft notices and reminder letters to people reminding them to pay but some are really struggling.
"Going to court can be very worrying for people but it is just one stage in the process.
"They probably won't be told to pay everything they owe in one go but there will be an arrangement to take a sum from their benefits."
Coun Russell urged people finding it difficult to pay to seek help. She said: "It's vital anyone having difficulty paying gets in touch so we can help.
"We have a legal duty to collect council tax, but we aim to work with residents to put together payment schedules and offer advice and support.
"There are a number of ways in which you can pay your bill, including direct debits, which can help to spread your payments."
The council established a £315,000 discretionary relief fund to help residents finding it hard to pay. So far, just over £27,000 has been paid out.
Charnwood Borough Council, Leicestershire's largest district authority, has reported a similar trend, issuing 800 summonses so far this financial year – twice the figure for the same period last year.
A council spokesman said: "The increase has been fuelled by changes to the benefits system which came into effect in April, when council tax benefit was abolished.
"About 3,600 people in Charnwood are being asked to pay council tax for the first time.
"For most, these bills are about £86 a year or £8 a month (£2 per week).
"People who do not pay could be taken to court where they may find costs of £67.50 added to their bill."
The borough council has also encouraged people to seek help.
