MILLIONS of Brits will get a £150 council tax refund to help struggling households cope with the rising cost of living.
The government is offering the rebate to low and middle income families as local authorities across the UK are planning to hike tax bills from April.
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More than 15million households are expected to get the council tax refund, with both low income and middle income families set to beneift.
It comes after the government announced last year that local authorities could hike tax rates by up to 3% without a referendum.
Councils can up the rate even further by adding on an extra amount for social care services.
That means some households are facing a council tax bill increase of up to 5% – piling the pressure on already stretched budgets.
Energy bills and food prices have soared, contributing to a cost of living crisis.
How can I get a £150 council tax refund?
Whether you’ll get the money back is dependent on which council tax band you’re in, which is based on your home’s value.
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People who live in the lower council tax bands will get the £150 refund.
Everyone on bands A to D will get the rebate as the government is attempting to target people on both lower and middle incomes.
Households with more expensive properties won’t be eligible for a refund.
You can find out your Council Tax band by checking with your local authority or on the postcode checker.
The government hasn’t confirmed when you should expect the refund, or if it will be taken off future bills.
The discount won’t need to be repaid.
What other help is available?
If you’re not eligible for the one-off refund, you should check whether you qualify for any other help.
Some households can get a discount, while others don’t have to pay any council tax at all.
For example, students and some pension credit claimants are completely exempt from having to pay.
Meanwhile, single people are entitled to 25% off their bill, while an adult living with a student can get 50% off.
If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could eligible for a reduction on your council tax.
The requirements to get help will vary depending on where you live, so the best first step is to check with your local council.
You can apply for a reduction through the Government website.
You’ll need to have your national insurance number, bank statements, a recent payslip or letter from the Jobcentre, and a passport or driving licence to hand.
If there are other adults in the household, you might need the same information for them too.
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