£15m paid back to Wiltshire residents in council tax energy rebate
104,000 households have had their payment so far
A total of £15.6 million pounds had gone back into the bank accounts of Wiltshire residents in recent weeks.
The money has been paid out as £150 council tax rebates ordered by the government to help with energy bills and the cost of living crisis.
Payments have been made to 104,000 households who live in Band A to D properties so far.
But there are still around 43,000 people left to reach, who don't pay their council tax by direct debit.
Wiltshire Council is now writing to those eligible households, explaining what they need to do to claim the one-off payment.
Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council said:
“Around 150,000 households in Wiltshire are eligible for the rebate. We have already paid out over £15.6 million to 104,000 eligible households who pay their council tax by direct debit. It’s been a tremendous effort from the team to pay all that money out in a short space of time and I thank them for their efforts.
“We are now writing to around 43,000 eligible households that don't pay their council tax by direct debit, inviting them to submit their bank details so that this one-off payment can be paid into their bank account.
“People will be able to submit their details via the council's website, or send their details to the council, however submission via the website is the most secure method. Assistance will also be available at local libraries to provide further help to those without internet access.”
WHAT ABOUT OTHER HOUSEHOLDS?
We're told that there are also a number of households in Wiltshire that don't pay council tax because they receive a reduction.
The Council will be writing to these households as well, inviting them to provide bank details so that the energy rebate can be paid to them.
A discretionary fund has also been set up by the Government to support households on low incomes, who live in properties in bands E to H.
There's more information on that on the Wiltshire Council website.
Cllr Richard Clewer said:
"Wiltshire Council is committed to protecting those who are most vulnerable in our community, and we know that with many household bills having increased in the last few months, that this money will be very welcomed by people. That is why we are working to pay this money out to people as quickly as we can, but it is a huge administrative undertaking and we really appreciate people’s patience as we work to make payments as quickly as we can.”
BEWARE OF SCAMS
With the rebates being paid out at the moment, there's also a warning to watch out for potential scams, with reports of them already happening in other parts of the country.
We're reminded that Wiltshire Council will not phone people to ask for their bank details.
Anyone getting a call claiming to be about the energy rebate should not give their personal details and are advised to hang up.
You can also contact the revenues team at Wiltshire Council on 0300 456 0109.