Lancaster City Council say people who pay their council tax by direct debit will receive the proposed energy bill rebate quicker than those who don’t.
They’re now urging locals who don’t pay their council tax via this method to sign up, or risk the process taking much longer.
The Government recently announced measures to help households with rising energy bills, including a £150 Council Tax energy rebate.
Households in bands A-D will be eligible for the rebate and the payments will be processed locally by Lancaster City Council.
It will be straightforward and quick for the city council to make this payment to households who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit and they will receive a £150 one off payment paid directly into their bank account.
The city council will endeavour to pay the rebate to all eligible households, but it may take longer to arrange the payment for those who pay by another method.
Councillor Anne Whitehead, cabinet member with responsibility for finance, explained: “While we have yet to receive the full details from the Government on how the rebate scheme will work, we expect that anyone paying by Direct Debit will receive it directly into their bank account.
“For those who aren’t on Direct Debit it’s likely there will be an application process and this will slow down the payment.
“If you do not currently pay by Direct Debit, but can change to do so, I urge you to make that change. This will allow us to pay the rebate to you quickly and reduce the number of people for whom we have to make special arrangements. Switching to Direct Debit will speed up the process for you and everyone else.
“We also understand from the Chancellor’s announcement that there will be discretionary funding to help low income households in higher bands and also those who do not pay council tax.
“Details of this grant and allocations for individual councils have not yet been announced and we will share more information as it becomes available.”
For information and to set up a Direct Debit visit www.lancaster.gov.uk/council-tax
Praise for Lancaster and Morecambe youngsters who took part in 'tongue movement' project
Clinic where students offer free legal advice to reopen at Lancaster University
Lines reopen after train derailment on Scotland-London line
Police arrest two and seize illegal bike in Morecambe
ITV commissions sixth series of Morecambe crime drama The Bay
E-bike shop moves from Lancaster to new Carnforth showroom
Lancaster workshop to tackle the issue of drink and needle spiking
Morecambe raw feeds shop up for three 'Animal Star' awards
Two new festivals proposed for Morecambe entertainment venue the Platform
Second day of disruption as work continues after train derails in Cumbria
Morecambe lifeboat crew’s swift response rescues swimmer ‘being swept dangerously out to sea’
'Street Meets' announced to answer your questions amid new wheelie bin roll-out
Campaign group welcomes new "life changing" bus service to Morecambe
Lancaster prison worker jailed for drug offences
Major disruption as train derails on West Coast Main Line
Talks begin for events to mark Eric Morecambe's 100th birthday
Lancaster music venue due to shut will now stay open "well into 2026"
Halloween What's On Guide
LISTEN: Launch of new group in Morecambe to help with gambling addiction
LISTEN: New centre for people with disabilities to open in historic Lancaster location
