Residents are being urged to apply for the government’s energy rebate, if they haven’t already done so, before the main scheme ends in September.

So far more than 109,000 households in bands A-D have received their £150 energy bill rebate, the majority getting it automatically because they pay their council tax by direct debit.

The council has twice written to non-direct debit payers and to residents who pay by direct debit, but whose name on the bank account does not match the person named on the bill, with details of how to complete an application online.

It has also written to households in receipt of 100 per cent council tax reduction to let them know they are eligible to apply for the rebate too.

Thousands have already applied online, but with the main scheme closing at the end of September, the council wants to ensure those who are eligible do not miss out. Councillor Steve Clark, cabinet member for finance, said:

"With the scheme closing in just a couple of months we really want those who are entitled to the payment to get it. We’ve now written twice to those who did not get it automatically and have also written to those in receipt of 100 per cent council tax reduction, as we do not have their bank details on file to make the payment.

"We really need all those who have not yet applied to apply online as soon as possible to ensure they receive their payment before the scheme ends."

The council has also established a discretionary scheme. Households in council tax bands E-H in receipt of council tax reduction will receive the £150 rebate, plus all properties in A-H in receipt of council tax reduction will receive an additional £30.

This means households in band A-H in receipt of council tax reduction on April 1 2022, will receive a total of £180 energy support.

The additional £30 payment will happen automatically into the bank accounts of those who pay by direct debit or have already provided their details online.

Applications need to be submitted as soon as possible as all payments must be processed and paid by the time the government scheme closes at the end of September. Once an online application has been made, the details are checked by officers and, once verified, the payment will be made into the applicant’s bank account as quickly as possible.

During the online application process, if the verification check has not been successful, which could be for a variety of reasons, the applicant will be contacted via the email they provided and quoting their individual application number.

They will be asked to upload a copy of a recent bank statement displaying the statement date, bank account name and account details to the secure application portal.

Eligible residents who have not applied for the rebate by the cut-off date, will have their council tax account credited with £150.

There will also be a further element of the discretionary scheme launching soon. This will be open for people who have not qualified for the main scheme, have excessive energy requirements due to a disability, or have energy bills but are not liable for council tax (for example if you rent your property and the landlord pays the council tax bill.)

Full details of this and how to apply will be available soon.

Around 125,000 households are eligible for the energy rebate in Dudley of which more than 80,000 pay their council tax by direct debit.

To apply, or for further information about the rebate, including the discretionary scheme, visit dudley.gov.uk.