When Dorset residents will be contacted about £150 tax rebate

The Government announced in early April that they would be introducing a one-off £150 payment scheme, which does not have to be paid back, for people living in properties in council tax bands A-D, in a response to rising energy bills.

Each local authority is overseeing the distribution of the scheme in their area.

• Read more: Council tax in Dorset to rise by maximum for third year running

Dorset Council has confirmed those who paid their council tax for April via direct debit will be contacted in May regarding payment of the £150.

The authority will also be writing to those who did not pay their council tax for the current month via direct debit in May too.

Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy said: “Dorset Council is working hard to facilitate the government’s Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme.

“Those who have paid their council tax by direct debit during April 2022 will be contacted regarding an award in May.

“We will also be writing to all customers with a band A-D council tax property who may be eligible, but have not paid an April instalment by direct debit.

“This letter will provide full information on when the online application will be open, how you can apply and what help will be made available for those needing support to apply to make sure everyone who is eligible can access the energy rebate. We will keep our website updated with each phase.”

The council was unable to provide a more precise timescale beyond some stage in May.

• Read more: Dorset council tax among the highest in England for 2022/23

A council spokesperson added: "We will facilitate the right payments to the right household for those who paid their April Council Tax instalment by direct debit.

"For those who may be eligible as they are in a Band A-D but did not pay the April instalment by direct debit and would be required, when announced, to make an application, those who may have moved before the scheme opens but were liable in the Dorset Council area for an eligible property with a band A-D based on the position at the end of the day on 1 April 2022 can make a claim.

"We will continue to provide full guidance to residents who may be eligible at the appropriate time as schemes open so that various questions and scenarios are answered and customers informed of what they need may need to do."

To be eligible for the rebate your property must be in council tax band A to D, you are liable to pay council tax and said property must be the main residence on April 1.

Those who fulfil the above criteria and do not currently pay any council tax because they receive maximum council tax support and have no council tax to pay will also be eligible, or if their property is in exemption classes N, S, U or W.

If the property is a second home, empty on April 2 or in a council tax band E to H then people will not be eligible.