Leicester Council’s Energy Rebate Scheme under way to ease rising living costs

Residents of Leicester have been offered a helping hand in tackling the rising living costs with a sum of credit to combat energy bills.

The Energy Rebate scheme ended on the 30th of September 2022 and households across Leicester who live in homes in council tax bands A to D had the opportunity to claim a £150 rebate to help with living costs and energy bills.

To claim the rebate, residents had to simply take the letter they received from the government to their local post office in exchange for a rebate of £150.

People who didn’t exchange their letters in time to receive the rebate, will instead have the unexchanged rebate amount credited into their council tax accounts.

Leicester City Council is continuing its efforts in supporting residents not only living in bands A to D but also larger properties under E to H with council tax support and voucher help also available for those in need.

 So far more than 95 per cent of city households will receive the £150 payment.

Leicester deputy city mayor for social care and anti-poverty, Cllr Sarah Russell, said: “This money is being made available to help support many households across the city at a time when energy prices and the cost of living are soaring.

“The city council is administrating the scheme and we will make sure everyone who is eligible for payment is helped as soon as possible.”

With the first stage of the Rebate Scheme ending at the end of September, the Discretionary scheme got under way and runs until November 30th, 2022, to ensure that anyone who was not eligible for the initial £150 rebate credit can claim their credit.

The Discretionary Scheme is aimed at those who fall under tax bands E to H with ‘Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme’ or ‘Severe Mental Impairment’ (Class U), present on their tax bill.

Bands F to H with ‘Disabled Reduction’ applied on their council bill are also eligible.

Households have been advised by the deputy mayor and the council to be on alert for scam callers claiming to be the council asking for bank details, and that people should get in touch with the Council Customer Service Centre team for assistance.