Millions of households across the country, including those here in Rutland, will soon receive a Council Tax rebate worth £150 to help with rising energy costs.

In response to the recent surge in energy prices, the Government has announced a crisis support package for households, including a new Council Tax Energy Rebate and additional money for local Household Support Fund grant schemes.

Approximately 20 million UK households will receive a £150 rebate to go towards energy bills. For most households, this will be made as a direct payment to bank accounts. The scheme is not designed to take money off Council Tax bills. Second properties or empty homes are not eligible for the rebate.

Rutland County Council is supporting the rollout of this Government-funded crisis support package by paying the rebate to residents after the 1st of April 2022.

To be eligible for the Council Energy Tax rebate, you must:

Live in a property in Council Tax bands A-D

Be the Council Tax bill-payer on the 1st of April 2022 The Council estimates that around 10,000 households in Rutland will qualify for the rebate. For those who pay Council Tax by direct debit, the rebate will be paid straight into bank accounts approximately one week after their first Council Tax direct debit instalment is paid in April. Councillor Olive Hemsley, Leader of Rutland County Council, said: "For those on direct debit, we envisage that all rebate payments will be made by the end of April. For those not on direct debit, we are working with the Post Office and will be using their 'Pay Out' scheme. "This means eligible residents will receive a letter with a barcode that will allow them to go any Post Office and claim their £150 rebate. Residents will have to show the barcode and identification to receive their payment. We have almost 2,500 residents in this position and would encourage people to claim as soon as they can." Some funding will also be available for households who might not qualify for the £150 Energy Rebate. This will include vulnerable households in Bands E to H. Rutland County Council will publish further details about this second scheme at the end of April. Cllr Hemsley added: "We appreciate that residents who are not eligible for the main Energy Rebate scheme will be waiting to hear about the Council's discretionary scheme. We have £43k to distribute, which equates to around 286 awards of £150. We don't envisage making any announcements before the end of April but this will depend on progress with the main scheme." Anyone who is unsure of their Council Tax band should check their printed Council Tax bill or look online.