Will I qualify for the £150 tax rebate in April?

EssexHebridean

For information, most councils will now also allow payment over 12 months as it’s understood that this helps many people with budgeting. 

CIS

EssexHebridean said:

For information, most councils will now also allow payment over 12 months as it’s understood that this helps many people with budgeting. 

In England they have no choice as it's been a statutory option for some years (with little exception).

mr_stripey

Just got my council tax bill. I pay monthly (12 months) and my payment has increased from £82 to £85 per month.

Am I reading this right that I will continue to pay monthly, but at some point after April 1st I will receive £150 "back"?

Ultrasonic

mr_stripey said:

Just got my council tax bill. I pay monthly (12 months) and my payment has increased from £82 to £85 per month.

Am I reading this right that I will continue to pay monthly, but at some point after April 1st I will receive £150 "back"?

If you check your council's website they'll probably provide details of what they'll do. Mine says I'll get a one off payment of £150 some time in April or May.

StartledJesus

 Apparently you only receive the rebate automatically if you pay by direct debit, because that means that they have your bank details. Any other payment method, they are deemed not to have your bank details so you have to provide them at some point, usually via an online form, or other method, so they can provide the rebate. Even if you pay in instalments by standing order.

So the Government is effectively just piggy backing the Council Tax system to get £150 to the owners of 'ostensibly' lower value homes, or poorer customers, in bands A to D.

Can those who have already received their CT bill confirm that the £150 is not actually shown, or included as a deduction on your CT bill? i.e if your CT bill is £2000, it will still be £2000 - but you will receive a separate £150 later, that just uses the Council system to pay it. 

*By pure coincidence, I have just received a digital, paperless copy of my own bill. The £150 rebate is not shown as part of the main bill - it is just referred to in a footnote.

As I pay by standing order, I will have to apply for the rebate, but cannot until April 4th. 

oldagetraveller1

"Can those who have already received their CT bill confirm that the £150 is not actually shown, or included as a deduction on your CT, bill?"

Received mine yesterday and the bill is as it's always been. Property band, annual cost, a list of DD payments and when they will be taken over the12 months.

There is a leaflet enclosed explaining that the £150 will be paid, in full, to bank account. Only if payments are by DD. It does also include non DD possible alternative.

Ultrasonic

No mention of the £150 in the CT bill I received yesterday.

mr_stripey

StartledJesus said:

 

Can those who have already received their CT bill confirm that the £150 is not actually shown, or included as a deduction on your CT bill? i.e if your CT bill is £2000, it will still be £2000 - but you will receive a separate £150 later, that just uses the Council system to pay it. 

*

My bill looks "normal" in that it has the usual breakdown of costs, 25% single occupancy reduction etc and a final total with DD schedule.

At the bottom of the page it has the text "The Government is providing a £150 one-off Energy Bills Rebate for  most households in council tax bands A-D

There is also a leaflet enclosed explaining the rebate.

LindsayT

This is what is on my council's website.

The government is providing a £150 one-off 'Energy Bills Rebate' for households in bands A to D that were registered for council tax at 1 April 2022, except where the property is empty or a second home.

The £150 energy bills rebate is not deducted from your bill – you must still pay your whole bill. We will pay the rebate as soon as possible after we have collected April's council tax payments from households that pay by direct debit. This is so we can be sure bank details are still correct.

For households that were registered for council tax at 1 April 2022 but do not pay by direct debit, we will publish details of how to apply as soon as the process has been confirmed.

In most cases, we will make payments direct to bank accounts. In a small number of cases – for example, where we’re unable to make payments in any other way – we may pay the £150 into council tax accounts instead. All payments will be made by 30 September 2022 at the latest.

EssexHebridean

I've not had a bill yet but wouldn't expect it to show the £150 as a factor within the annual costs even when I do. The Government have given clear instructions that it is to be treated separately as I understand it - paid to DD customers straight to their bank account and with non-DD eligible customers needing to claim it directly. I believe some councils are offering the option of it being taken off the monthly payments as well, but this has to be specifically requested?