RESIDENTS are being encouraged to apply for a grant to help combat a rise in the cost of living.

Warrington residents who live in council tax bands E to H are being encouraged to apply for the discretionary tax energy rebate.

The scheme is now open, running until November 30, and those who meet the criteria may be eligible for a discretionary £150 payment from the Government.

Residents may also be eligible for this payment if they live in a bands A to D and moved in after April 1 this year.

To be successful in this application you must either be in receipt of income support, income-based job seeker’s allowance, universal credit, working tax credit and child tax credit.

It is also available to pensioners in receipt of a state retirement pension, people in receipt of state disability allowances, those who are pregnant or have a new born or recently adopted child or a recent bereavement within the last three months.

Other criteria includes single-parent families, care leavers, those with language or literacy difficulties and people suffering from fuel poverty or hardship.

Residents who are in receipt of council tax support or housing benefit, or are in receipt of student or severely mentally impaired exemption, will automatically receive a post office voucher and will not need to submit an application.

Cllr Cathy Mitchell, the council’s cabinet member for finance, said: “We are doing everything we can to help people through the cost of living crisis, and the discretionary rebate scheme is another way for local people to get financial support.

“If you think you are eligible, make sure you apply for your payment before November 30. We will be working hard to process all applications as quickly as possible.”

To apply, you will need your nine-digit council tax reference number, which can be found on your council tax bill in the top left corner starting with a seven, then visit warrington.gov.uk/rebate