Liverpool Council has issued another update on when households can expect their council tax energy rebate.
When the £150 scheme was announced back in April, it was expected that payments would be made by the start of that month and into May to the near quarter of a million homes. Yet some residents across the city have not received the financial support for their energy bills.
In a message issued online, Liverpool Council said: “We know lots of you are asking when you will get your Council Tax Energy Rebate. We are processing them as fast as we can, and we have already made over 90,000 payments.”
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The £150 rebate is part of a £32m scheme confirmed by the Government in a bid to ease pressure on household living costs. The local authority said residents who pay by direct debit are receiving their rebate first as their bank details are already on its system.
The majority of those have now been paid, according to Liverpool Council. It added: “The remaining Direct Debit payers, where a query has been raised on our systems, are being looked at as a priority.
“If we can verify eligibility using our existing records, we will do so. If we can’t, we will be in touch to ask for additional evidence.”
Those who paid their first direct debit in May are required to apply online and Liverpool Council is contacting those affected. Letters are being sent out to households who pay by standing order, have Council Tax paid through their benefits or pay through their Liverpool Council salary, with details of how to apply.
Those in this bracket can have the £150 deducted from their council tax bill. The council added: “Due to the large number of households entitled to claim, the letters are being sent out in batches.
“This is so that we can manage the processing of applications effectively. We will be putting in place alternative procedures for people without internet access, with details included in the letter.”
Those who can’t afford to wait until the payment is made are being directed to the support options available via Liverpool Council’s website. The authority update said: “We know that many people are struggling with the rising cost of living.
“We do know there are some families living in larger properties in Bands E to H that will also be struggling, so in the near future we will be releasing details of a discretionary scheme that they may be eligible to apply for.”
Residents in neighbouring authorities such as Knowsley received their payments as early as the end of April. Any excess funds not spent by Liverpool Council will be returned to the UK government.
