Energy Rebates starting to be paid out by Wiltshire Council
150,000 households in the county are eligible for the £150 payment
Some Wiltshire households are starting to receive their £150 Government Energy Rebate - but we're asked to be patient for it to arrive.
150,000 families are eligible to get the payment, which is aimed at helping those with properties in council tax bands A to D with the rising cost of energy bills.
For people who pay their council tax to Wiltshire Council by direct debit, the rebate are starting to be paid out.
We're told that process will continue into May though, so if you've not had yours yet, don't panic!
There are around 40,000 eligible households who don't pay by direct debit though, which means it'll take a little longer to get the rebate paid out.
Letters will be sent to those properties, before the end of April, asking people to submit their bank details for the one-off payment to go into their bank account.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:
"We’re pleased to be able to start to send this money out and our team is working hard to get it to people as quickly as possible. It’s not just a question of pressing a button though, so it will still take some time to get all the money out to everyone who is eligible, and we thank everyone for their patience.
“We are also in the process of developing a system for those who don’t pay their council tax via direct debit and we’ll be in direct contact with those people soon.
“With many household bills having increased at the start of April we know this money will be very welcomed by people and that’s why we’re trying to administer everything as quickly as we can.”
For any households that receive a council tax reduction, Wiltshire Council will also send out letters inviting them to submit bank details for the payment.
Any households who don't submit their details will have their council tax automatically credited with £150 before the scheme ends in September.
There are also a number of households in Wiltshire that do not pay council tax because they receive a council tax reduction. The council will be writing to these households and inviting them to provide their bank details so that the energy rebate can be paid to them.
Households who don’t contact Wiltshire Council, will have their council tax account credited with £150 before the scheme ends in September.
We can find out more about the rebate and the progress of the payments on the Wiltshire Council website. https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-tax-energy-rebate