Eligible households set to receive £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate

Last week, the Government announced measures to help protect millions of households from rising energy costs. This includes a one-off payment of £150 council tax energy rebate to all households whose primary residence is in council tax band A to D. 

The Government are asking local council tax billing authorities like us to administer the rebate payments on their behalf using council tax billing information to identify eligible households.  

We will therefore be using our council tax billing information to identify all households across the borough whose house is in council tax band A to D and start making payments in April 2022. We will also receive funding to operate a discretionary fund for households in need, who would otherwise not be eligible. 

If you are an eligible household, the quickest and most convenient way to receive your payment is by setting up a Direct Debit to pay your council tax. By setting up a Direct Debit, we can make the payment promptly and directly into your bank account. Please note that the payment will not be used to offset what you owe in council tax – the payment will simply be paid straight into your bank account.  

So, we’re urging all eligible households to set up a Direct Debit as soon as possible. If you already pay your council tax by Direct Debit, you do not need to do anything, the payment will be credited to your account. If you choose not to set up a Direct Debit for your payments, your payment may be delayed, and you will be asked to complete an application form to claim your payment. 

An added bonus of setting up a Direct Debit to receive your payment is that it is also the easiest and most convenient way to pay your council tax as it means you can spread the cost and ensure you never miss a payment. 

Councillor Alan Gardiner, cabinet spokesperson for Core Services, said: “As we see the rising cost of energy prices and, more generally, the surging cost of living, the announcement from the Government last week to offer all eligible households a council tax rebate has been welcomed with open arms.  

“As the local authority administering the payments, our priority now is to make the payments to all eligible households as quickly as we can. So, we would really urge as many households as possible to spend five minutes setting up a Direct Debit to make their council tax payments so we can get the payments to them and avoid residents needing to apply for their payment.”   

 Set up your Direct Debit today – it’s quick and easy to do. 

For help setting up a Direct Debit, please watch our help guide video. 

If you have friends or relatives who do not have access to the internet, please help them to set up a Direct Debit so they also receive their payment without delay.