Forest of Dean District Council opens new scheme to help those not supported by the Government £150 rebate
Forest of Dean District Council has opened applications for a scheme to provide financial support to those most in need who were not eligible for the recent £150 council tax rebate.
Councillor Bernie O’Neill, Cabinet Member for Economy, said:
“We know many people are struggling to pay their bills who were not eligible for the £150 rebate the Government provided.
“We have designed this scheme to help those who need it most, including people on benefits, people living in shared accommodation and people on low income. People can visit our website to see if they are eligible and apply.
“Over the coming weeks we will continue to work as fast as possible to distribute the original rebate and also this new scheme as we know this money will make a lot of difference during this cost of living crisis.”
The Government set the criteria for the original £150 rebate scheme which was targeted at households in council tax bands A-D. Additional funding was provided to local authorities to set up schemes to help those not supported by the original rebate.
The new scheme has criteria that is intended to help support those most in need during the current cost of living crisis. It includes:
- People living in properties banded E-H who are on low income or don’t pay council tax due to caring or health reasons
- People on low income who pay energy bills but not the council tax
- People living in houses of multiple occupancy and on low income
- People living in emergency or supported accommodation
Full criteria is available on the council's website along with a form to apply for the support.
For those unable to use the website, they can telephone the council for advice and support, however, the council is encouraging people to apply online where at all possible to free up phone lines for those who need it most.
Forest of Dean District Council has moved as fast as possible to pay the original £150 rebate to those eligible with most people who pay their council tax by direct debit now having received the payment.
For those who don’t pay by direct debit the council does not hold the details to make a payment and is currently contacting those eligible with information on how to provide the required information to the council so the payment can be made.
The Council does have to carry out a number of checks on those applying for the support to make sure fraud is not being committed which may slow payments but the staff working behind the scenes are working incredibly hard to process applications as quickly as possible.
More information on the rebate can be found on the council website at fdean.gov.uk/150rebate