As the cost of gas and electricity rises rapidly householders are being urged to apply for the £150 council tax energy rebate.

In February the Government announced that, from April, properties in council tax bands A to D would receive the rebate.

You must meet these criteria:

  • you are the person liable to pay council tax
  • your property is in council tax band A, B, C or D and properties in band E, with an alternative valuation band of D, due to a disabled reduction scheme award
  • your property was occupied by you, as your sole or main residence, on 1 April 2022.

Many who pay by Direct Debit may have already received the payment.

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Council officers are now helping those who do not pay that way to do so as it will mean they will receive the cash sooner.

The webpage www.oxford.gov.uk/energy-rebate has instructions on how to apply. Claims can only be made online, and not by phone, email or in writing.

To check a property’s council tax band, visit the GOV.UK website.

Any properties that are unoccupied, classed as a second home, or where the liable person is a local authority, corporate body, housing association, or government body, are not eligible for the £150 rebate.

For more information visit the government’s council tax energy rebate website.

Councillor Nigel Chapman, cabinet member for Citizen Focused Services, said: “I want everyone who is eligible and has not received this rebate automatically, to apply. 

“If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit you will receive the rebate automatically. If you don’t, you’ll need to apply online. Don’t miss out - make sure you apply.

“Please think about switching to Direct Debit – it makes life easier both for you and the council. 

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"Our small, dedicated team is working through payments from those on Direct Debit and those who are applying online and we are trying to process these payments as quickly as possible. 

"After this has been done, we will check and see if anyone has not yet applied who might be eligible, and what support we can offer them to apply online.”

In addition to the council tax energy rebate the City Council is also launching a discretionary scheme aimed at those who are not entitled to the £150 payment or are in greater need of support. 

Details will follow in due course.