Calderdale Council is working to ensure that all eligible households receive the Government’s £150 Council Tax rebate, aimed at helping with rising energy costs.
Residents living in households in Council Tax bands A- D (excluding second or empty properties), will be eligible for the rebate. This means that around 83,000 households in Calderdale could benefit from the payment.
The quickest way to receive the rebate is to sign up for Direct Debit payments. Residents who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit will receive the rebate payment automatically following payment of the first direct debit instalment for the Council Tax year 2022/23.
Work is taking place to develop an application process for those who do not currently pay by Direct Debit. More information will be available soon as to how the Council will collect the information required and process the payment.
There is time for residents to sign up to pay by Direct Debit before 1 April to receive the rebate directly into their accounts. Signing up is quick, easy and free to arrange and takes the worry out of remembering payments. There are also flexible payment dates available. For more information or to set up a Direct Debit, visit https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/siteinfo/online-services/directdebit/index.jsp
Further information about the rebate, along with a leaflet explaining the scheme will be included in Council Tax bills. The bill will also include details of the receiving household’s Council Tax band. This information can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands(external link)
The Council is also set to receive further Government funding to help households who are struggling, but whose property does not qualify for the rebate scheme. This Discretionary Scheme will be implemented as soon as possible, and more details will be shared when available.
Calderdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Resources, Cllr Silvia Dacre, said:
“As the cost of living continues to increase, we know that this will be a worrying time for many local families; those who were just about managing, could now be facing financial difficulties. We’re committed to supporting those who are struggling and will be using the funding available to us to help as many families as we can.
“This Council Tax rebate scheme will provide £150 for Band A – D properties and we want to make the process of receiving this payment as easy as possible for eligible households. The quickest way to receive the rebate is by signing up to pay by Direct Debit, if you don’t already. This means that the rebate will be automatically paid into the account details we hold in our records.
“We’re developing a process for those who choose not to pay by Direct Debit and also working to implement the Discretionary Scheme to distribute further funding to support those are struggling, but who are not eligible for this rebate.”
For more information about the Council Tax rebate scheme, visit https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/residents/council-tax-and-benefits/council-tax/government-council-tax-rebate
Anyone struggling with Council Tax payments should contact the Council for advice on eligibility for any discounts and reductions. Payment arrangements can also be discussed to help ease pressure.
Work is also taking place to identify those who may be having financial difficulties to offer guidance and signpost to the relevant financial support agencies. Further details about the support the Council can offer for individuals or families is available at https://www.calderdale.gov.uk/v2/coronavirus-covid-19/help-people-and-communities/household-support-fund This page also useful links to partner organisations.