Council tax rebates start landing in Fenland people's bank accounts

Fenland council taxpayers have begun to receive their £150 energy rebate to help with the impact of rising energy costs, with the first payments due to land in bank accounts today (Friday).

Fenland District Council is rolling out the council tax rebate scheme to households across the district, after the Government announced it would be funding the support package in February.

Households in council tax bands A-D which are liable for council tax on 1 April 2022 are eligible for the one-off payment, including those who receive council tax support and certain exempt dwellings. The rebate does not have to be repaid.

In most cases, the £150 rebate will go directly into the bank accounts of those paying council tax by direct debit. Payments will be made after the first monthly council tax direct debit payment has been paid, and where the name on the bank account matches the details held on the council tax account.

Payments may take slightly longer to check and process if payee information needs to be verified, but the first batch of payments should be received from today (29 April.)

The Council will be writing to those who do not pay council tax by direct debit with further information on how to claim their rebate, with a link to an online claim form.

In cases where the Council is unable to verify bank details, the bank rejects the payment or where claim forms have not been completed, the rebate will be credited to council tax accounts around the middle of June.

Leader of Fenland District Council, Cllr Chris Boden, said: “Given the delays being experienced in some areas owing to challenges with the systems required to pay the rebates all in one go, it’s a fantastic achievement that we’ve managed to get the first payments out in April.”

For more information, visit the Council’s Council Tax page at www.fenland.gov.uk/counciltax or check the Government’s council tax rebate factsheet at: www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-rebate-factsheet