Residents are being warned that criminals are calling people and asking for their bank details in order to receive the Council Tax Energy Rebate.
The Government announced the extra support amid the rising cost of energy bills, with payments being administered by local authorities.
Somerset West and Taunton Council will start making payments to eligible households during April but will never cold call and ask for your personal bank details over the phone (or by email). If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to the Police on 101.
You can also call the Action Fraud helpline on 0300 123 2040 or visit their website www.actionfraud.police.uk/how-to-report-fraud if you have concerns about fraud or have fallen victim to a possible scam.
If you are eligible for the payment from SWT you don’t need to take any action at the moment.
If you are named on the Council Tax account on 1 April 2022 and you’re in a band A, B, C or D property, you will receive the £150 rebate.
This includes those who already receive assistance in paying some or all of their council bill through local council tax support but the rebate won’t be paid for second homes or empty homes.
If you normally pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit, you’ll receive the rebate into your bank automatically. For most people this will be by end April.
If you don’t normally pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit, you will be invited to make a claim to receive the payment into your bank or on to your council tax account. SWT plans to write to these households by the end of April and make payment by the end of May.
For those who are not eligible for a rebate under the terms of the core scheme but are struggling to meet the costs of rising energy bills (including those who live in properties that fall into council tax bands E, F, G and H) a discretionary fund has also been launched by the Government.
SWT is currently working on a scheme for administering the discretionary fund but payments will be easier and faster for those with direct debits in place.
To set up a council tax direct debit visit our website Paying your council tax
For up-to-date information about the scheme visit our Energy Support Payments page.