By Payout error forces North Lincolnshire homeowners to pay energy rebate back
Homeowners in North Lincolnshire have been told to pay back a £150 energy rebate after “widespread” error.
Earlier in the year, the government announced a £150 energy rebate which was designed to alleviate ‘some’ pressure caused by the devastating cost of living crisis.
According to the BBC, Band E council tax payers in North Lincolnshire received the government rebate despite households falling under their classification not being eligible for the fund – homes in Band A – D should have received the rebate.
Speaking to the BBC, one resident said he had received a letter informing him of the mistake, further suggesting the problem “appeared to be widespread”
After reading the message, Paul Taylor uploaded an image of the council letter, which read:
“Regrettably, this payment has been made in error and is repayable because your property is in Band E”
“We will be recovering this payment from you directly by a single Direct Debit instalment on 4 July”
“If you are experiencing financial hardship the council may be able to help you with support”
“Please accept our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you”
Mr Taylor issued a frustrated statement on social media, saying: “This is what you’re up against” after quoting the council’s apologetic closing line in the letter.
The BBC understands this was not a one-off incident, instead the rebate error is believed to have affected a “large number of people”
Replying to Mr Taylor statement, one North Lincolnshire resident described the situation as a “council cock-up” before confirming they had also received, and spent, the rebate.
“North Lincolnshire Council previously said there were 70,000 households in the district eligible for the payment, but has not yet said how many properties received the £150 in error”, stated the BBC.
