Council tax rebate reaches 99% of eligible households after delays

More than 99% of eligible households have now received the government’s £150 core council tax rebate to help with the cost-of-living, after a rollout that was criticised for its slow progress. 

New figures show more than 19 million households in England were handed payments by the end of September, with many councils reporting that 100% of eligible households in their area have now received their payment.  

The latest figures show a total of £2.87bn of the core council tax rebate has gone to households under the scheme, an increase of £217 million from the previous month.

To ensure as many eligible households as possible receive the payment, the government is extending the deadline for claims, helping councils support the hardest to reach households such as those that moved and did not provide any payment information.

Eligible households have until November 30 to claim the £150 payment, which does not have to be paid back. Anyone who is yet to receive their rebate is urged to check their local council for more information and make a claim. 

The rebate is available to most households living in council tax bands A to D on 1 April. This includes those who receive Local Council Tax Support, even if their council tax bill for the year is less than £150.

Earlier this year the Local Government Association said that fraud checks and new software had also caused delays in processing payments.

Luckily, the rebate has been dogged by delays in getting payments to residents who do not pay their council tax by direct debit, as councils don’t hold all their details on file.  

Commenting on the new figures, Levelling Up Minister Dehenna Davison said: ‘Thanks to the tireless work of councils, more than 99% of eligible households up and down the country have received their council tax rebate.

‘We are now extending the deadline to claim the £150 payment to ensure as many eligible households as possible receive this payment – I urge everyone to check their eligibility and contact their local council if they have not already.’

Since announcing the rebate in April, the government has provided £28m for councils to set up software and recruit staff and will top this up as necessary to cover all reasonable delivery costs.

Local authorities must also make arrangements for those who cannot access the internet. 

Photo by Kelly Sikkema