£150 off Council Tax fuel assistance, and those that do not pay Council Tac

My understanding, from the Energy Bills Refund Factsheet, is that the rebates, both the non-repayable £150 for lower council tax bands and the repayable £200 for all households later in the year will come from central government funds. The factsheet says:

The government is providing new funding to local authorities for these rebates, as well as extra funding to help with increased administrative costs. 


www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-support-for-energy-bills-and-the-cost-of-living-factsheets

I was checking my bank account today and was pleasantly surprised to see that the £150 had already been paid into it. I'd kept meaning to check what housing band I was in but kept forgetting.

I can't find anywhere that says if the government or council will pay for this. The government is providing funding for Councils to operate the Energy Rebate Discretionary Fund which is mentioned separately by the councils. That makes me think the councils have to bear the burden. However, I really can't be sure. If councils do have to pay for this, then something else will have to go.

DaisyAnne

Charleygirl5

My council, Labour, will hang on to the £150 until the very last moment. I do not expect to see a penny until September.

Have they said this Charleygirl5?

It was the government who changed the period. I had assumed that was because the councils had not yet receive the money from government.

Ate the government actually going to reimburse the councils or are they, as usual just passing on the problem to someone else?

Charleygirl5

My council, Labour, will hang on to the £150 until the very last moment. I do not expect to see a penny until September.

Have they said this Charleygirl5?

It was the government who changed the period. I had assumed that was because the councils had not yet receive the money from government.

Maggierose

People living in band E may be eligible if vulnerable or on a low income. My local council hasn’t come up with a scheme to apply this yet. Has yours?

From my Council's web site:

To support as many people as we can, we will provide:

£150 for households in bands E to H who are in receipt of council tax support or are exempt from council tax on health grounds

£100 for households in bands A to D who are in receipt of council tax support and have children living in the property

So they are including the two catagories you suggest Maggierose

My council, Labour, will hang on to the £150 until the very last moment. I do not expect to see a penny until September.

Maggierose

People living in band E may be eligible if vulnerable or on a low income. My local council hasn’t come up with a scheme to apply this yet. Has yours?

Mine is a Tory council, so I won’t hold my breath. I wonder why people on Band D aren’t means tested, but those on Band E are?

That's worth knowing about adapted homes Hetty.

I think the decision to use the council tax system was because it was the quickest way to get to "households". They used this system in Australia too I believe. I think you could say it is blunt but directed.

It's automatically paid for those on Direct Debit arrangements - but there's an online claim form for others who pay by Standing order or cash etc. also those in Band E who've had homes adapted (e.g. disabled bathroom extension):

www.grantapproval.co.uk

I’m not getting it either - not complaining, but my income and savings are far less than my BF who has just downsized and banked £250K and qualifies. I suppose using A-D is the cheapest and most efficient way to pass on the ‘rebate’.

People living in band E may be eligible if vulnerable or on a low income. My local council hasn’t come up with a scheme to apply this yet. Has yours?

We won’t get anything either. Yet another example of governments deciding who can afford what based on arbitrary criteria.

Sorry. I see this has already been answered.

paddyann54

You do have to pay it back so its not that helpful ,just pushing the problem down the road for people who are struggling with bills.Makes no sense to me

No I don't think so. The two parts of the astonishing generosity are £150 refund if you are in band A to D council tax (not sure if same in Scotland) and the £200 which every household will get and which will have to be repaid over the next 5 years.

If you are receiving Pension Credit you won't automatically receive the £150 from your Local Authority. It is only being automatically paid out to those who make Council Tax payments. However, because you are on a limited income, I believe all Local Authorities are having a discretionary fund to help those who haven't qualified.
Give your Local Council a ring and ask them how you can apply. You do not have to pay this money back.

www.gov.uk/guidance/council-tax-rebate-factsheet#do-i-have-to-pay-the-150-back

It doesn’t have to be repaid

I think our posts came at the same time Riverwalk

paddyann54

You do have to pay it back so its not that helpful ,just pushing the problem down the road for people who are struggling with bills.Makes no sense to me

No you don’t have to pay it back, you are thinking of the £200 fuel subsidy payment that has to be paid back over a few years, 4 or 5 I think. Our council tax hasn’t gone up this year and won’t go up next year and we received our £150 at the beginning of April.

The £150 isn't a loan - there is another scheme later in the year which is a loan to be paid back over the next few years, by way of an increase in bills.

Oh it’s a loan , of course it is.

Fraburn. If you have never paid by Direct Debit you should be able to apply, possibly on line. I would check online. If there is nothing there I would ring your council.

It has now changed to being "paid in April" to "from April".

HowVeryDareYou have you checked whether you are eligable for any benefit in regard to your Council Tax.

You do have to pay it back so its not that helpful ,just pushing the problem down the road for people who are struggling with bills.Makes no sense to me

Ours is sending cheques out to those bands eligible who don’t have a direct debit by post.

We are Band E too, so nothing for us