Eligible residents need to apply for energy rebate before October deadline

Sefton Council is reminding eligible households across the Borough that they need to apply for discretionary Energy Rebate payments before this month’s deadline.

Some households in Sefton that have not received a one-off £150 Energy Rebate payment can now apply online for a payment through the discretionary scheme. But the deadline for applications is Monday 31st October.

The Council is inviting applications from residents of properties that have been excluded from the core scheme due to them not being liable for Council Tax.

This could include applicants who are directly responsible for energy costs but whose Council Tax is paid by someone else such as a housing provider, a charity or a non-resident owner. It also includes those who became liable for payment of Council Tax to Sefton Council on or after 2nd April 2022.

People can find out more and apply by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/discretionary.

Completing the form will require applicants to provide evidence of occupation and direct payment of energy costs. This means having their Tenancy Agreement, Rent Statement or Completion Statement and their energy bills. They will also need to provide their Bank Sort Code and their Bank Account name and number.

When the scheme was launched in September Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“Having already paid out nearly £15 million to over approaching 106,000 Band A to D households in Sefton through the original scheme, we are targeting households that may have missed out.

“That includes those who do not pay their Council Tax directly, or who moved home during the qualifying period, who now have the opportunity to apply by visiting www.sefton.gov.uk/discretionary”.

Sefton Council has a fixed fund available to allocate to Sefton households in need through discretionary funding.

It is also targeting Sefton households that are in need, as well as those that do not fall into the Council Tax bands A to D category

People living in Council Tax bands A to D have been receiving further payments of £20 on top of the £150 they have already received making a total of £170. Residents granted a full Council Tax exemption, due to being severely mentally impaired are receiving £170.

Additionally, the Council has also been making £170 payment to Council Tax-payers in band E to H properties who are in receipt of means-tested Council Tax Reduction at that property.

And, payments are being made to households with children that are in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. Amounts would be £20 for households with one or two children and £30 for those with three or more children.