We've put together the following frequently asked questions on the £150 Council Tax Rebate scheme (Energy Grant), aimed at supporting you with your energy bills.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
- Who is eligible?
- I don’t know what band my property is in. How do I find out?
- I don’t think the band I am in is right. What should I do?
- I don’t live in the property, am I eligible for a payment?
- I live in a property with other people and think I’m eligible, should I claim, and can the other occupants claim also?
- I don’t appear to qualify for the Council Tax Rebate scheme (Energy Grant), is there any support for me?
- I live in a property and contribute towards energy costs but am not the liable taxpayer, can I claim?
- I am due to occupy a property after 1st April 2022 and will not be eligible for the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant), is there any support for me?
- I have received or am eligible for a Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) payment however require additional support, can I apply for a Discretionary Scheme payment as well?
- Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
- I live in a band A-D property and pay my Council Tax by Direct Debit and am eligible under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) to claim a grant payment, what do I need to do and when will I be paid?
- I don’t pay Council Tax by Direct Debit but am eligible for a grant payment under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant). What do I need to do and when will I be paid?
- I do not pay Council Tax by Direct Debit and do not not wish to, I am eligible under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) to claim a grant payment, what do I need to do and when will I be paid?
Who is eligible?
The government have provided a strict criteria on eligibility for the £150 Council Tax Rebate scheme (Energy Grant). They have also provided guidance on a discretionary scheme.
See details of further support available on our:
I don’t know what band my property is in. How do I find out?
Your property band is shown on your Council Tax bill. You can also determine the band of your property by visiting the Valuation Office Agency website (external link)
I don’t think the band I am in is right. What should I do?
The Valuation Office Agency (VOA) set and control property bandings, they are an executive agency of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and are independent to the council. You can challenge your band should you feel it is incorrect by visiting the Valuation Office Agency website (external link).
I don’t live in the property, am I eligible for a payment?
Unfortunately not, both the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) and the discretionary scheme require the person liable for Council Tax to live in the property that is their sole or main residence. Unoccupied properties are ineligible for a payment in both schemes.
I live in a property with other people and think I’m eligible, should I claim, and can the other occupants claim also?
Only one application can be accepted per household, payments will be made in respect of the liable party for Council Tax if the eligibility criteria is met. During any application process you must provide your details as they appear on your Council Tax bill.
Occupants of the same household will need to determine how to disburse any funding received between themselves, once a payment has been provided no further claims will be accepted.
I don’t appear to qualify for the Council Tax Rebate scheme (Energy Grant), is there any support for me?
If you are an occupant of a property in Bands E - H you may qualify for support under the Discretionary Scheme. Our Discretionary Scheme will be published soon at which point further information will be provided regarding the qualifying criteria and when the scheme will open for applications.
I live in a property and contribute towards energy costs but am not the liable taxpayer, can I claim?
Unfortunately not, under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) and the discretionary scheme, payments will only be made in respect of the liable taxpayer. It is for occupants of the same household to determine how to disburse any funding received between themselves. Once a payment has been provided no further claims will be accepted.
I am due to occupy a property after 1st April 2022 and will not be eligible for the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant), is there any support for me?
If you are an occupant of a property in Bands A - H, but only occupy a property after the 1st April 2022, you may qualify for support under our Discretionary Scheme. Our Discretionary Scheme will be published soon at which point further information will be provided regarding the qualifying criteria and when the scheme will open for applications.
I have received or am eligible for a Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) payment however require additional support, can I apply for a Discretionary Scheme payment as well?
No. The government have advised that only one rebate (energy grant) can be paid per property, if you require additional support, please visit our benefits and grants pages.
Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
Yes. You can assist or support someone to make a claim if they are eligible, but payments will only be made to the bank details validated as belonging to the liable taxpayer according to our records. We will also provide support to those who require assistance making a claim via our helpline (01942 489015).
Other organisations such as Citizens Advice (external link), Age UK (external link) and Wigan Carers Centre (external link) may be able to support you with completing your application.
I live in a band A-D property and pay my Council Tax by Direct Debit and am eligible under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) to claim a grant payment, what do I need to do and when will I be paid?
You do not need to do anything. We will process your payment using the bank account details we hold in respect of your Council Tax Direct Debit account, once your details have been verified. This will be towards the end of April or early in May. We will write to you to confirm once the payment has been processed or if we need any further information.
I don’t pay Council Tax by Direct Debit but am eligible for a grant payment under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant). What do I need to do and when will I be paid?
The quickest way to receive your payment is if you pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit and we recommend you set a Direct Debit up now. If you do this, you will not need to do anything more as long as your Direct Debit instruction is received by 21st April 2022.
We will process your payment using the bank account details we hold in respect of your Council Tax Direct Debit account once your details have been verified. This will likely be towards the end of April or early in May. We will write to you to confirm once the payment has been processed or if we need any further information.
I do not pay Council Tax by Direct Debit and do not not wish to, I am eligible under the Council Tax Rebate scheme (energy grant) to claim a grant payment, what do I need to do and when will I be paid?
If you do not pay by Direct Debit, you will need to complete an application form and either provide your bank details so we can make the payment or confirm that you are happy to have the money paid into your Council Tax account to reduce future payments. The application process will go live in May 2022 and payments will commence from June 2022 when all the details provided have been verified. We will write to you to confirm once the application process has gone live and again when a payment has been processed, or if we need any further information. If we cannot verify any bank details provided, then we will process the payment into the corresponding Council Tax account.