First announced in April, the £150 council tax rebate, part of the governments cost of living support package, has been paid to 90% of eligible houses in England. The payment is a one-off amount, and does not need to be repaid. Anyone living in a property in bands A-D on 1 April (in England) qualifies for the rebate. The rules for other parts of the UK may be different, for example some councils in Wales require the qualifying property to have been occupied in mid-February. You should check the criteria on your Local Authority’s website – a search for “cost of living support” should get you to the correct place.

If you pay by direct debit and you are eligible, there is a good chance you will have received a payment already. However, if you haven’t, it may be that the LA doesn’t have up-to-date bank details for you – for example if you pay annually using a card rather than by direct debit. The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Greg Clark, is urging people to check their eligibility now, as the closing date for the scheme is 30 September. You should contact your LA directly to discuss your eligibility and to register your claim.

If you live in a property in a higher band, you could still qualify if you are on a low income, or qualify under a discretionary exemption. These vary with each LA, so again you should contact your council as a matter of urgency to avoid missing out.