The cost of living crisis is putting millions of people in the UK under financial pressure. Energy bills, fuel, National Insurance, and inflation are all skyrocketing. You can read about how people on the front line of the crippling current financial situation are being affected here.
The UK government recently announced a number of measures to help with the rising cost of living. One of these measures was a Council Tax Rebate payment of £150 per household. Not everyone is entitled to the rebate as it only applies to homes under specific council tax banding, but those who are entitled can expect the payment in their banks very soon.
Read more: Find out how much your bills will be increasing with our cost of living calculator.
When is the rebate due?
The payment should be made on April 1 if you pay your council tax via direct debit. If you do not pay via direct debit, you should contact your local council to find out how you will be paid.
Who will get the rebate?
Most households in council tax bands A to D in England qualify for the £150 rebate. If you pay less than £150 council tax, receive a single person discount, or do not pay because you receive council tax support, you will still be entitled to the payment.
To be eligible for the payment, the property must be occupied as a primary residence. Payment will not be made on empty properties or second homes. Only one £150 payment should be made under the core council tax rebate per household, regardless of the number of occupants or liable council taxpayers.
Councils have been warned to look out for fraud and may want to exercise particular caution where direct debit details have been changed or newly provided since the scheme was announced on February 3, 2022. If your property is in any of the other bands, you will not get the payment.
As the initial announcement only covered England, the Welsh Government has confirmed it will offer a £150 council tax rebate to low-income households to help with the cost of living crisis. Anyone in band A to D will get the payment, as well as those on low incomes. The scheme will also be mirrored in Scotland. If you are eligible for the scheme you don't need to apply. You should receive the money automatically. You can keep up to date with Welsh Government news by subscribing to our Wales Matters newsletter here.
