Press Release

24 October 2022

Funding available to support residents not eligible for Government energy rebate

Fareham Borough Council is pleased to announce that is has been allocated funding to help support residents who were not eligible for the Government’s energy rebate for Council Tax payers.

All residents in Council Tax bands A to D, who were eligible for the Council Tax rebate of £150, have now received this funding, with over 35,500 payments made. The Council has now launched a new scheme to use its allocation of £122,400 from the Discretionary Fund. This discretionary fund is mainly aimed at households in Council Tax bands E to H.

Approximately 800 payments are expected to be made under this scheme which must be completed by 30 November 2022.

Those residents who meet the criteria for the local scheme, for which the Council holds bank account details, will receive their payments automatically. Invitations to supply bank details using a secure online application form are being sent to other households who meet the criteria.

The Council is also reaching out to households which meet the following criteria:

You were directly responsible for paying Council Tax in the Borough on a property Band E to H on 1 April 2022 and used a prepayment meter to pay for your energy.
You resided in the Borough in a property Band A to D on 1 April 2022, where you were not responsible for paying the Council Tax but were directly responsible for the energy bills.
You resided in the Borough in a property Band E to H and were in regular receipt of Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) on 1 April 2022
You resided in the Borough in a property Band E to H and were directly responsible for energy bills on 1 April2022, have presented yourselves to the Council or Citizens Advice Service before 6 November 2022 and are considered to be in financial hardship but are not in receipt of Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Housing Benefits or Council Tax reduction.

If you meet any of the criteria above, you may be eligible for discretionary funding. If you have not already received a Council Tax rebate, please email energygrants@fareham.gov.uk. Expressions of interest must be received by 6 November 2022.

Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, Cllr Seán Woodward, said:

“I am pleased to announce the allocation of this discretionary funding for those people who were not eligible for the Government’s Council Tax energy rebate scheme. We are acutely aware that cost of living is rising, so I encourage residents to check their eligibility and contact us if they believe they are eligible.”

Full details of the scheme are available on the Council’s Website Energy Rebate for Council Tax Payers (fareham.gov.uk).

ENDS