A rebate of £150 will be available for eligible households to help with soaring energy bills. 

The money will be distributed to taxpayers in council tax bands A-D from April. 

Residents of Wokingham are urged by the government to set-up a direct debit, as the money will go directly into their accounts. 

Those residents who do not pay by direct debit will be contacted by their council and invited to make a claim. 

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The Government package of support, known as the Energy Bills Rebate, is worth £9.1 billion in 2022-23. This includes £144 million of discretionary funding for local authorities to help households who are in need but are not eligible for the council tax rebate. 

Bracknell News: Wokingham Borough Council's Anti-Poverty StrategyWokingham Borough Council's Anti-Poverty Strategy

As part of Wokingham Borough Council’s wider strategy to reduce financial hardship in the area, the ‘Hardship Alliance’ was formed by bringing together four local charities; First Days, Citizens Advice Wokingham, AgeUK Berkshire and Wokingham United Charities, to produce a plan. 

Chair of the Hardship Alliance, Amy Garstang, said: “Life is expensive, even more so with the rises in the cost of living. We want the residents of Wokingham Borough to know that there is support available and people ready to help.” 

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Other initiatives that form part of the council’s ‘Anti-Poverty Strategy’ include the Household Support Grant, which helps the most vulnerable households cover essential costs, and the Help to Heat scheme, which seeks to help residents make their properties more energy efficient. 

“Extensive work has been undertaken to support people living in poverty across the borough,” said a council spokesperson.  

You can find further information and support at news.wokingham.gov.uk.