HOUSEHOLDS could wait until SEPTEMBER for their £150 council tax rebate as local authorities warn of delays.
The cash will be given to 80% of homes in a bid to help families with a crippling cost of living crisis – especially soaring energy bills.
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Millions of families saw their energy bills double to an average of £1,971 a year when the price cap went up at the beginning of the month.
That’s on top of rising council tax bills families need to cough up for – some are facing increases to their bill of up to 5%.
The council tax refund, aimed to help ease the pinch, was supposed to paid out from April 1.
But councils have warned there could be a delay with handing out the cash.
Local authorities have warned that some families may not receive the much needed cash until September, the Daily Mail reports.
Bassetlaw District Council in Nottinghamshire said residents may not see the rebate until five months time, while South Derbyshire said cash would not be given out until June.
Fuming families have taken to social media to complain about the delays.
One taxpayer tweeted: “Oxford city council has said it will deposit the payment to customers who pay by DD [direct debit] into their accounts although no date has been given to everyone else they haven’t worked out how to get the payment to them yet.”
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While another said: “Still have not seen a penny of the £150 council tax rebate.”
Another said: “So. Where is our £150 council tax rebate?”
Why is the £150 rebate delayed?
There are other reasons why your £150 council tax rebate might be delayed.
It might be because you pay your council tax bill manually.
Having a direct debit set up means the council has your details and can process the £150 payment automatically.
If you don’t pay direct debit and make a payment each month manually, you may have to apply for the cash which can take longer.
But even if you have a direct debit set up, you still might see it delayed.
Many councils are only making the payment after the first council tax bill payment has been made for April.
So if your bill date is later in the month, for instance the 28th, you might have to wait until after this goes out.
You might not pay council tax at all – which is why you might not get the refund straight away.
Many people get 100% discount on their bill through different support schemes.
As they don’t pay a bill, their bank details won’t be on record with the council, so instead they will have to apply.
Many councils have not yet set out how this process will work, but say they will send letters to those eligible with more information about claiming.
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