FINANCIAL support for those struggling to pay rising energy bills announced by the Government is being paid to residents by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.
In February, the Government announced that residents in council tax bands A to D would receive a £150 payment, as well as a new discretionary scheme which could provide support for residents not eligible for the one-off automatic payment.
The one-off payment has now been paid to residents who pay their council tax via direct debit on fifth, 13th and 20th of every month. Residents who pay via direct debit on 20th of each month should allow three to five working days for this to appear in their account.
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Sue Cuerden, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s executive director of corporate services, said: “Following further information from the government on this financial support, we have been working hard to develop a scheme locally in order to pay residents as quickly as possible.
“To make it as simple as possible for residents, those who pay their council tax via direct debit will be paid directly into this account and I am pleased that customers are now receiving these payments. For residents who do not pay by direct debit or for those who would like support through our discretionary funding scheme, we would encourage you to apply as soon as possible so we can process payments quickly.”
Due to checks required by the Government, the direct debit payment for April needs to be taken out of customers’ accounts before the council can distribute the £150 payment. As a result, residents who pay their direct debit on 28th of each month will need to have their first direct debit taken out and the council then expects to distribute the payments for these accounts in early May.
Residents who do not currently pay their bill via direct debit can now complete an application form for this funding at basingstoke.gov.uk/ctax-energy-rebate. Residents who do not have access to this webpage will also be able to complete this form via telephone.
For residents not eligible for this payment, the council has launched a new £270,000 discretionary scheme to provide additional support.
The discretionary scheme will be applied in two phases. As part of the first phase of funding, eligible residents living in properties which are in council tax bands E to H, including those who currently receive care leaver discount, council tax support, disabled relief and some households who are exempt from paying council tax, will be able to apply for a one-off payment of £150.
Residents will need to complete an application form to apply for this funding scheme which will be open until September 30, 2022. However, funding will be paid on a first come first served basis.
If funding is still available, from June 1, 2022 until September 30 2022, residents living in properties which are in council tax bands E to H and are over the age of 65 will also be able to apply for a one-off payment of £150 as part of phase two of the discretionary scheme.
All funding, including the £150 payment for bands A to D and the council’s discretionary scheme, is applicable for properties occupied on or before April 1, 2022.
For more information about the scheme and to apply for funding, visit basingstoke.gov.uk/ctax-energy-rebate or call 01256 844844.
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