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Stafford Borough residents to get ‘energy rebate’

Around 55,000 Stafford Borough residents in council tax bands A to D will be receiving a £150 payment as part of the ‘energy rebate.’

Stafford Borough Council is currently preparing to issue the one-off payments, following the recent Government announcement, to households most likely to be affected by the increases in energy costs.

The council has today (Thursday 10 March) issued guidance on how the scheme will work and how the payments are to be made.

The money will be paid to the person responsible for the council tax payment – but will not show on the council tax bill. Instead, payments of £150 will be paid separately and directly to the people who qualify and straight into their bank account, where possible. Council staff will contact all the affected households to let them know how and when to expect the payments.

The council tax bills for 2022/23 are being delivered from this week and will need to be paid in the usual way.

A small fund is also available to help vulnerable residents who do not qualify for this payment with more details on how this will operate announced later in April.

Councillor Mike Smith, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, said there were some key messages for householders to note, such as:

  • The £150 is for council tax band A-D properties only
  • The government has said that no payments can be made before April
  • If the council tax is paid by direct debit, the £150 will be made into the account next month.
  • All other qualifying residents will need to claim the payment – with an application form available in April
  • The £150 rebate will not have to be repaid

He continued: “We want to get these payments to our residents as soon as possible and are working hard to give this support to households within the borough to help with the increase in energy bills.

“This is a huge task to assist around 90% of our households, many of whom we do not hold bank details for, and I hope people will be patient while the necessary arrangements are put in place.

“The payment will be made directly into a bank account for the majority but we will make alternative methods available to help people who do not have bank accounts.”

Full details of the council’s scheme can be found at  www.staffordbc.gov.uk/CTER