Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate Form

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Discretionary Council Tax Energy Rebate

On Thursday 3rd February 2022, announced a package of support known as the Energy Bills Rebate to help households with rising energy bills, worth £9.1 billion in 2022-23. This includes:

  • A £150 non-repayable rebate for households in England in council tax bands A – D, known as the Council Tax Rebate.
  • £144 million of discretionary funding for billing authorities to support households who are in need but are not eligible for the Council Tax Rebate, known as the Discretionary Fund.

The initial announcement made by the Chancellor on 3rd February 2022 is available online –
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/millions-to-receive-350-boost-to-help-with-rising-energy-costs

Details of the eligibility criteria and application process for the Councils’ Discretionary Fund are now available on the Council’s website: https://www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk/counciltax/15/

Applications closed on Monday 31st October 2022 at 5:00 PM.

To qualify for the Discretionary Fund you must meet the following Criteria on the date of 01 April 2022:

  • You must be liable to pay Council Tax
  • Your property must be in Council Tax band E-H.
  • The property must be classed as your sole or main residence, i.e. your home
  • The person liable for Council Tax, or their partner or someone in their household, is entitled to one of the benefits listed below:

 

  • Child Tax Credit
  • Council Tax Support
  • Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related)
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Job Seekers Allowance (Income Based)
  • Pension Credit (Guaranteed Credit)
  • Pension Credit (Savings Credit)
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

OR

The property is valued in Council Tax Bands E-H, in exemption classes listed below

  • Class N – Occupied only by students, school or college leavers
  • Class S — Occupied only be persons under 18
  • Class U – Occupied only by severely mentally impaired persons
  • Class W – Occupied annexe to an occupied dwelling

OR

The property is valued in Council Tax bands A-H, and

  • the premises is classed as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO), sheltered accommodation, or other property (excluding student halls of residence) where the household or tenant is not liable for Council Tax and,
  • energy bill costs are included in the rent charged/terms of the tenancy, and,
  • there has been a rent increase related to the rise in energy bills or the property has one or more household(s) within it that pay energy bills separately but not by the person who is shown as the liable persons for council tax

The scheme will operate in accordance with Government guidelines and funding availability.

The Government, and the Council will not will not tolerate any council tax payer falsifying their records or providing false evidence to gain access to the Council Tax Rebate. A ratepayer who provides false information or makes false representation in order to benefit from the Council Tax Rebate or Discretionary Fund may be guilty of fraud under the Fraud Act 2006.