Published: Wednesday 6 April 2022
Due to a delay in processing online forms we are still making payments to those paying Council Tax via other methods than Direct Debits. All Council Tax rebate payments to Direct Debit paying residents, where we have been able to verify bank details, have now been paid.
Energy bills are rising quickly, and we understand this may be a source of concern for some residents, especially those on low incomes.
Residents in the borough paying council tax and living in property bands A to D will receive a £150 Council Tax Energy Rebate payment to help with rising energy costs.
Residents who pay Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive a £150 payment automatically into the bank account they use for the Direct Debit by 15 May.
Residents who have set up a Direct Debit after 2 April, will receive the payment by 30 May. This requires no action from residents.
Those paying Council Tax by other methods will receive an email or letter by 13 May asking them to complete an online form to provide bank account details. If we do not receive a response by 30 May, we will place a credit for £150 onto the residents' Council Tax account.
Our priority is to make these payments by the end of May.
A discretionary £120 will be paid for the following residents:
• Residents in council tax band E
• Council Tax Reduction Scheme recipients in Band F-H
• Non-council tax liable, fixed benefit only households responsible for paying fuel bills
• New Band A-E properties moving in between 1 April to 1 May who have not received already a payment.
Empty/second homes or non-resident landlords will not receive a discretionary payment.
Eligible residents who pay via Direct Debit will receive the discretionary payment into the bank account they use for the Direct Debit by 15 June.
Those paying Council Tax by other methods will receive an email or letter by 20 May asking them to complete an online form to provide their bank details.
We aim to make all discretionary payments by 15 June. Residents are asked not to contact us to enquire about the status of payments.
The Local Government Association has warned that scammers are taking advantage of the rebate by claiming to be from councils and tricking people into giving their bank details over the phone. We will not call you to ask for your bank details.
To see if you are eligible for some of our warmer home schemes check here.
Residents can also contact Citizens Advice citizensadvicekc.org.uk for further advice and support.