THOUSANDS of households across Redcar and Cleveland are in line for a one-off £150 energy bills rebate.
Last month, the Government announced plans to help with rising energy and living costs. This includes providing funding to local authorities for a one-off £150 energy rebate for households whose main residence is in band A to D and discretionary funding to support households who are in need but are not in bands A to D.
Eligible households will receive the rebate in the coming months with bill payers who pay by Direct Debit credited to their bank accounts shortly after their April council tax instalment is taken. For those who do not pay by Direct Debit an online facility will be made available on the council's website in April for the bill payer to provide their council account details and banking information. If a bill payer chooses not to provide the information the council will reduce their council tax bill by £150 instead.
Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Glyn Nightingale, said:
“The price of everyday essentials including food, gas and electricity is rapidly rising and although the payment is a drop in the ocean it will be welcomed by our residents.
“Our priority will be to arrange the payments as soon as we can however with over 60,000 bill payers eligible for payment it will be a significant task.
“We know who qualifies for the payment from our council tax records and no eligible person in band A-D as at 1 April 2022 will lose out.
“At this stage we would politely ask council bill payers to avoid contacting us if possible as dealing with enquiries could slow the payment process."
The council is also in the process of developing its discretionary assistance policy which will be available on the council's website www.redcar-cleveland.gov.uk in the near future.