Eligible Chichester households to receive £100 energy bill support payment
Eligible households in Council Tax bands A to D across the Chichester District will receive a £100 payment to help with energy bills under a new Government support scheme.
It is expected that payments will start being distributed from January 2027. Residents who are unsure which Council Tax band their property falls into can check online at: www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands
The Government is expected to publish detailed guidance to local councils about the scheme over the coming weeks and Chichester District Council will update its dedicated webpage, www.chichester.gov.uk/household-energy-payment, with further information as soon as details are confirmed. Residents are encouraged to check the webpage regularly for updates. However, eligible households are being assured that they will be contacted directly if any action is required and they do not need to contact the council to receive their payment.
Eligible residents who pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit will automatically receive the payment and do not need to take any action. The payment will be made directly into the bank account they use to pay their Council Tax.
If an eligible resident does not currently pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit, they will be contacted by the council to invite them to apply for the payment when applications are opened. Residents are encouraged to switch to Direct Debit where possible as this is the quickest and easiest way to receive the payment and is also a safe, secure and convenient way to pay Council Tax throughout the year.
"We know that energy costs continue to put pressure on many households and so this additional support will be welcome news for residents,” says Councillor Oona Hickson, Cabinet Member for Housing, and Revenues and Benefits at Chichester District Council.
"If you pay your Council Tax by Direct Debit and are eligible for the payment, you do not need to do anything, as the payment will be made automatically into your bank account. We will contact other eligible households with information on how to apply for the payment and will keep residents updated through our website as more details become available.
“I'd like to thank residents for their patience while we wait for the detailed information to come through from the Government about this scheme. Once we have reviewed this information, we will update our website with further details and contact eligible households who do not pay by Direct Debit to explain how they can apply for the payment. Please be assured that we will contact you if you need to take any action and so you don’t need to contact the council to receive the payment."
The council is also urging residents to remain vigilant against scams. Nobody other than Chichester District Council should get in touch asking residents to claim the payment. If you are unsure whether a message is genuine, please contact the council directly before responding or sharing any personal information.
If residents are struggling financially, further support may be available to them, and they are encouraged to visit: www.chichester.gov.uk/applyforbenefit.