Around 90% of eligible households have received the government’s
£150 council tax rebate to help with the cost of living.
Figures published today show 16.6 million households in England,
86% of those eligible, were handed payments by the end of July -
meaning the actual number of those who have received the rebate
by now will be even higher as councils continue to pay it out.
Today’s figures show a total of £2.5 billion has gone to
households in council tax bands A to D under the scheme, an
increase of more than £500 million on the previous month.
All councils in England have begun making these payments and have
payment processes in place for people who do not pay by direct
debit. DLUHC will continue to drive progress with councils to pay
households as soon as possible where they have not already done
so.
Households have until the end of September to claim the £150
payment, which does not have to be paid back. Anyone who is yet
to receive their rebate is urged to check their local council
website for more information and make a claim.
However, recognising the importance of the rebate in helping
those most in need with rising costs, the government urges
councils to do everything they can to encourage the remaining
households to claim their rebate to ensure as many eligible
households as possible get the money that they are owed.
An extra £144 million has also be given to councils to provide
discretionary support to any household in financial need due to
rising energy bills, including transient groups and people on low
incomes in council tax bands E to H.
Levelling Up Secretary said:
“I’m pleased to see further progress in paying the council
tax rebate out to the millions of households who are eligible to
receive it.
“We want to make sure that those most in need receive the
support that they are entitled to help households with the cost
of living. This is why I am urging everyone to check their
eligibility to receive the rebate and contact their councils if
they have not.”
The rebate is part of £37 billion of government support being
targeted at those most in need to help with the cost of living.
This includes at least £1,200 of extra support for millions
of the most vulnerable households this year, with all domestic
electricity customers receiving at least £400 towards their
bills.
The rebate is available to most households living in council tax
bands A to D on 1 April. This includes those who receive
Local Council Tax Support, even if their council tax bill for the
year is less than £150.
Anyone who thinks they are eligible but does not have a direct
debit and has not received a payment or details of how to make a
claim, should visit their local council’s website for more
information.
Since announcing the rebate in April, the Government has provided
£28 million for councils to set up software and recruit staff and
will top this up as necessary to cover all reasonable delivery
costs. Councils have been given a host of options to make
payments quickly and securely including bank account transfers,
council tax account credits or a voucher-based system.
Local authorities must also make arrangements for those who
cannot access the internet.
If households do not know who their local council is, they can
find their website through entering their postcode here.
More information about government support on the cost of living
is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cost-of-living-support/cost-of-living-support-factsheet-26-may-2022]
NOTES:
- All households in England are placed by the Valuation Office
Agency into 1 of 8 council tax bands, ranging from band A to band
H.
- Though local authorities may be making their best efforts,
certain transient groups such as student households and those who
move frequently may be impossible to contact and will have not
left forwarding addresses.
