People urged to claim £150 grant 'as soon as possible' as deadline approaches
24.08.2022 - 11:11
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Households are being warned they could miss out on a £150 grant to help towards energy costs if they don’t claim it in time.
The rebate, unveiled by former chancellor Rishi Sunak in April, aims to help households in council tax bands A-D to help cope with rising energy bills. It is believed that over a million eligible households have still not applied for the rebate.
For many, the rebate was given out automatically, but those who do not use direct debit as a way to pay for their council tax have been asked to apply manually to the council for the grant.
READ MORE: Furious TikTok influencer tells people 'don't move to Manchester'
The Government has now given councils a deadline of September 30 to pay the funds, reports The Mirror. There are fears that huge numbers could miss out on the allocated money.
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “This is a botched Government scheme which leaves families and pensioners out in the cold. It was clear from the start that payments were never going to reach some of those who need it most. Now time is running out to save people from catastrophic energy bills.”
He added: "It is a national disgrace that pensioners in Britain will be choosing between heating and eating this winter. Yet we have a zombie government refusing to act even when their own half-baked programmes are proved to be unworkable."
Andrew Western, Trafford councillor and North West representative for the Local Government Association, said councils had “worked hard” to distribute the £150, but it “has been a significant task and not without its challenges”.
He added: “Anyone who is eligible for the £150 payment, but who has not claimed for it yet, should contact their council as soon as possible.”
Councils have been