Council Tax energy rebate - still not received

loz77

I pay our Council Tax via Direct Debit and we're Band B and eligible for the £150 rebate the Government told councils to pay out from April 2022.
I've still not received out payment, despite ringing & emailing our council (North Northamptonshire) several times.

The council tax account has both mine & my husband's name on it, with my name being first. The paying bank account is solely in my name. I've never missed a council tax payment, our account is up-to-date and I've not changed my bank account in years either.

Every time I contact the council, they tell me they can see that we're eligible and that we still have been paid and that the account is still flagged for payment.
I've verified every detail they need to know every time but now getting frustrated as still not received the payment.

This week their excuse was that my Direct Debit mandate, when it was set up, only has my surname on it, so that automatic payment system can't cross reference it with my council tax to make the payment. So how does it work the other way round then and they can still take payments from my bank account every month? 

The council website now states:

Paying Council Tax by Direct Debit

We have issued payments to nearly 86,000 customers.

A further 4,000 Council Tax accounts need to be reviewed. By 31 July, we will either pay these or send out a letter requesting further information.

If you pay by Direct Debit and have not received payment or a letter from us by 14 August, and believe you are eligible, please contact us from 15 August so that we can investigate.

I've not had the payment but why do they need to send me a letter if I keep verifying my details already?

Is there a complaints process anywhere, other than the local council, as I'm not getting anywhere with them.

MWT

loz77 said:

This week their excuse was that my Direct Debit mandate, when it was set up, only has my surname on it, so that automatic payment system can't cross reference it with my council tax to make the payment. So how does it work the other way round then and they can still take payments from my bank account every month? 

Sounds like you've found the root of the problem though, so if the details have been corrected you should get your payment soon.

loz77

MWT said:

loz77 said:

This week their excuse was that my Direct Debit mandate, when it was set up, only has my surname on it, so that automatic payment system can't cross reference it with my council tax to make the payment. So how does it work the other way round then and they can still take payments from my bank account every month? 

Sounds like you've found the root of the problem though, so if the details have been corrected you should get your payment soon.

It's just annoying as I've contacted them 7 times and each time they tell me I'll get the money in a weeks time!

[Deleted User]

Hi,

have you checked bank statement DD payment, some councils gave it as monthly deduction.

loz77

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

have you checked bank statement DD payment, some councils gave it as monthly deduction.

yes and they've confirmed I'm entitled and that they haven't got around to paying it yet.

I also read on the GOV.UK website that they advised councils not to deduct from council tax as it meant the money being spread across the remaining months and it should be a one-off payment amount

macman

You haven't given the most crucial piece of info: which LA is it?

[Deleted User]

loz77 said:

ŶMWT said:

loz77 said:

This week their excuse was that my Direct Debit mandate, when it was set up, only has my surname on it, so that automatic payment system can't cross reference it with my council tax to make the payment. So how does it work the other way round then and they can still take payments from my bank account every month? 

Sounds like you've found the root of the problem though, so if the details have been corrected you should get your payment soon.

It's just annoying as I've contacted them 7 times and each time they tell me I'll get the money in a weeks time!

Contacting them is not the same as making a formal complaint. Look at your LA’s website for details of its complaints procedure. Once this has been exhausted and you are still not happy with the outcome, you can refer your complaint to an Ombudsman:

https://www.lgo.org.uk/

For what it is worth, my guess is that you would lose an escalation. Public bodies do have a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer’s money is paid out to only those entitled to receive it.