Households in council tax bands E to H that receive Local Council Tax Support or are suffering financial hardship due to the increase in energy costs can now apply for a discretionary £150 payment.
Only applicants struggling to meet increased energy costs with capital less than £6,000 will be considered for the discretionary payment.
Earlier this year, the Government announced a council tax rebate to help people deal with rising energy costs. The scheme will see a £150 rebate given automatically, between May and September, to people who pay council tax by direct debit and live in properties in council tax bands A to D, or band E with a Disabled Band Reduction, where the property is the sole or main residence.
Since the scheme launched in early May, the council has issued just under 49,000 payments to residents paying by direct debit.
Households who do not pay council tax by direct debit will need to complete a form and will also receive a letter or email reminding them to provide their bank details. These are the only ways the council will contact them, and residents are being urged to be aware of any scams.
Cllr Mark Cory, Portfolio Holder for Resources, said: “We have been working hard to ensure everyone who qualifies for the council tax rebate is paid as quickly as possible – and that now includes discretionary payments to households in bands E to H.
“As well as the £150 rebate and discretionary payment for those who qualify, we are continuing to maintain our existing council tax relief scheme for residents on low incomes.
“This new administration promised to support those households struggling the most at this time. We are working on further local support where the government has failed to act.”
The discretionary scheme has a limited amount of funding and will only run until all the money has been distributed. To find out more and apply for the discretionary payment, visit Council Tax Rebate
Page last reviewed: 6 June 2022