Online claim form launched for £150 energy rebate payments

Great Yarmouth Borough Council has already made more than £4m in payments to nearly 27,000 households whose bank details are on file, as they pay council tax by direct debit.

Now people who pay by other methods can claim online for the payment, as well as small number of direct debit households where bank accounts records did not match the name of the council tax payer. 

The money is available for people living in properties rated in Council Tax bands A-D, including people who receive help or exemptions on their council tax, and will be paid by bank transfer.

The council is this week writing to households who have not yet received the payment with details of the online claim process. Residents will need their council tax account and bank account numbers as well as other security details to make the claim.

Residents are advised to go direct to the council's website to make the claim, to only use secure internet connections, and to check their web browser is displaying a 'padlock' icon indicating that the details they share are protected.

Payments will usually be made within two weeks of the claim being made, subject to security and fraud checks. Anyone needing help claiming can contact the Council's customer service team by emailing enquiries@great-yarmouth.gov.uk or calling free on 0808 196 2236.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council leader Carl Smith said: "We know people are keen to receive the £150 energy payment and we have been working hard with our software suppliers to update our systems to make this new payment.

"Residents should be very careful about giving out bank details, and never respond to unexpected phone calls or texts asking for bank details."

Residents living in a property in a higher council tax band are not eligible for an automatic payment under the Government scheme, but may still be eligible for help through a discretionary fund. The details of how this will be administered will be published in the next few weeks.