NFDC urges 900 New Forest homeowners to claim £150 tax rebate

HUNDREDS of households in the New Forest have yet to claim their £150 council tax energy rebate.

The district council is reaching out to around 900 households with advice on how to claim their refunds before the 30th September deadline.

Eligible households who pay their council tax by direct debit have already been paid into their bank accounts in April and May this year.

NFDC's revenue and benefits service manager, Ryan Stevens, said: “We have made this payment to over 52,500 households but there are around 900 households, who do not pay council tax by direct debit, who have not yet made their claim.

"We have sent two letters to urge them to get their £150 council tax energy rebate, and will shortly write again.

“Nobody will miss out on the payment, as anyone who does not claim the rebate will have the £150 paid to their council tax account.

"But with the increase in the cost of living and the energy price rises that are predicted for the winter, we would prefer that households have this money now.”

Households are eligible for the one-off £150 energy rebate if their property is in council tax bands A-D, or in band E where they receive a disabled band reduction.

They must also be responsible for paying the council tax and the property must have been their sole and main residence on 1st April 2022.

Households on a low income who get council tax support and do not pay council tax are still entitled to the £150 energy rebate.

The rebate claim can be made by calling 023 8028 5000 and pressing option 4, visiting a council information office, or going online at newforest.gov.uk/energyrebate