RESIDENTS in the county will be contacted about receiving their £150 tax rebate at some stage next month, according to Dorset Council.

The Government announced in early April that they would be introducing a one-off £150 payment scheme, which does not have to be paid back, for people living in properties in council tax bands A-D, in a response to rising energy bills.

Each local authority is overseeing the distribution of the scheme in their area.

Dorset Council has confirmed those who paid their council tax for April via direct debit will be contacted in May regarding payment of the £150.

The authority will also be writing to those who did not pay their council tax for the current month via direct debit in May too.

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Cllr Gary Suttle, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Capital Strategy said: “Dorset Council is working hard to facilitate the government’s Council Tax Energy Rebate scheme.

“Those who have paid their council tax by direct debit during April 2022 will be contacted regarding an award in May.

“We will also be writing to all customers with a band A-D council tax property who may be eligible, but have not paid an April instalment by direct debit.

“This letter will provide full information on when the online application will be open, how you can apply and what help will be made available for those needing support to apply to make sure everyone who is eligible can access the energy rebate. We will keep our website updated with each phase.”

The council was unable to provide a more precise timescale beyond some stage in May.

To be eligible for the rebate your property must be in council tax band A to D, you are liable to pay council tax and said property must be the main residence on April 1.

Those who fulfill the above criteria and do not currently pay any council tax because they receive maximum council tax support and have no council tax to pay will also be eligible, or if their property is in exemption classes N, S, U or W.

If the property is a second home, empty on April 2 or in a council tax band E to H then people will not be eligible.