Extra support has been announced by Worcester City Council for some residents who may be struggling to pay their energy bills.
The Council has already paid out £150 Council Tax rebates to the majority of households in the city, with some others due to receive a voucher in the coming weeks.
The new initiative will see the Council providing support for some households who did not qualify for the main national programme of Council Tax rebates.
The newly announced support will see payments available in three categories:
A. Payments of £150 to households in Council Tax bands E-H where the Council Tax payer is receiving Council Tax Support
B. Payments of £150 will be made where the household members can demonstrate that they are meeting the household energy costs but are not the Council Tax payer (for example, if a landlord pays the Council Tax but their tenant pays the electricity and gas bills)
C. An additional top-up payment will be made to all households in receipt of 100% Council Tax Support. The amount of payment will be determined once the total payable under A and B has been determined.
City residents who fall into categories A and C will receive their payments automatically. Residents who fall into category B are asked to contact the City Council with their name, address, contact number and evidence that their are responsible for paying energy bills.
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Shane Flynn, Worcester City Council Director of Finance and Resources, said: "We know that many people in the city are very worried about paying their bills so we are very pleased to be able to offer this support for people who may not have qualified for the main Council Tax Rebate announced earlier in the year.
"If you are not responsible for paying the Council Tax where you live, but you do pay the energy bills, we are especially keen to hear from you."
This latest round of payments is being funded by money provided by the Government for the Council to set up its own discretionary support scheme.
