Applications are now being accepted from residents who are suffering hardship because of the increase in the cost of living, but were not eligible to receive the £150 automatic Council Tax Rebate.
To receive the discretionary payment, applicants need to be liable for higher rate Council Tax (bands E-H); or are not liable for Council Tax in bands A-D but responsible for energy bills.
The Government has allocated Wealden District Council £327,000 – which is equivalent to 2,180 payments of £150. The scheme went live yesterday and will close on 3rd October, or sooner if funds have been exhausted.
Councils were free to determine how best to make use of this funding to support those suffering financial hardship. Wealden District Council has worked with other authorities to set-up a common criteria across East Sussex.
Applicants must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit, having a saving of less than £6,000 or have a low net income. Proof of benefit entitlement and income must be submitted.
Neil Waller, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Benefits and District Councillor for Crowborough South-West, said
We are pleased to have already given thousands of residents living in Wealden the £150 payment which was part of the national Council Tax rebate scheme announced by the government.
Starting this week, households which weren’t entitled to the national scheme due to eligibility will be able to apply for the discretionary one.
Cllr Waller
The Council have said it will take 10 working days for applications to be reviewed. Application must be made via Wealden District Council’s online portal.
Does anyone in council tax band H really need help with energy bills?