£150 council tax rebate failed payment verification

LittleWing294

I was starting to wonder about my £150 council tax rebate, then I received a letter saying I have "failed payment verification" and I have to submit a claim online. I've done this for the sake of getting through the process, but as I pay by direct debit you'd think they'd be able to credit my account without me submitting a separate claim.
Just wondering if others have experienced similar.

Ectophile

Are you absolutely certain that the letter was genuine?  Or have you now given all your personal details to a bunch of scammers?

LittleWing294

Thank you for the question, and yes, a good reminder to be sceptical about everything we receive.

I made the claim by going to my council's website, and following the links to claim the £150 (the route that anyone who doesn't pay by direct debit would have to use). I've now had a notification that my claim has been accepted and I'll have the payment within 10 days.

So yes, I'm pretty sure it's genuine - and curious to know if this is a common thing happening to people.

Brie

Just checked my local website and there's bumpf on there about it and needing to wait to receive a letter.   Also a warning that the libraries are busy as lots of people don't have a computer or internet at home so will need to go to the library to apply.

Energy Bill Rebate (bcpcouncil.gov.uk)

LittleWing294

Thank you, that's interesting - a more helpful website than my local one! It does still seem, though, that it doesn't expect anyone who pays by direct debit to need to submit a claim.