MILLIONS of households will be getting £150 payment to help them through the cost of living crisis.
The council tax rebate is being made to four in five households after the energy price cap rise in April pushed up bills.
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Those living in council tax bands A to D are eligible for the one-off payment from April 1 onwards.
When you get the £150 council tax payment depends on where you live.
Payments have already been made to lucky locals in places like Sunderland, Bracknell and East Hampshire.
But delays arranging the payment have left many still waiting for the vital cash.
Several councils have confirmed May payment dates for many eligible residents.
Households in Liverpool, Derby and Northumberland are among those who should have now received the council tax rebate.
Many billpayers are not getting the payment until after making their first council tax bill instalment in April in order to confirm their eligibility for the scheme.
Residents in the following areas are among those who should have had the payment in May by now.
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- Hammersmith and Fulham – from early to mid May start with direct debit
- Lewisham – from May with direct debit
- Thurrock – from beginning of May
- Sevenoaks – between May 1 and 31 with direct debit
- Liverpool – from May 1
- Wirral – starting in May
- Gloucester – on May 2 if direct debit on April 15 and on 13 May if direct debit made on 22 or 28 April
- South Lakeland – aim to start making them in early May
- Halton – from May
- North Tyneside – aiming to make the first payments in May 2022
- Northumberland – by early May with direct debit
- Derby – by middle of May with direct debit
- Southend on Sea – from May 4
- Rother – May 24 with direct debit
You can check when payments are being made where you live by checking your local council’s website and social media pages.
Payments are being made automatically if you pay your council tax bill by direct debit.
If you don’t have this set up then you may have to apply – and this could mean a longer wait for the cash.
Some councils have not yet shared details of how to apply for people without direct debits.
And some local authorities have said that payments won’t start until JUNE because of software updates required to send the rebate – even with a direct debit.
If you have a direct debit set up to make council tax bill payments you’re likely to get yours early than if you pay manually.
If you’re eligible for the rebate but you don’t pay a bill and need to apply you should keep an eye out for a letter.
This could also be the case if you pay your bill manually and the council don’t have bank details on record for you.
Your council will be in touch telling you how to apply for the £150.
But beware of scams where criminals are asking for bank details via text, email or call claiming this is how you get the rebate.
Experts have warned about the red flags to look out for so you don’t lose cash.
If you’re not sure if you’re eligible for the payment, you can find out which band you’re in to see if you’re eligible for the automatic scheme.
You can find out which band you’re in to see if you’re eligible for the automatic scheme, or need to apply to the fund by using the government’s search tool – you just need to enter your postcode.
Anyone who’ s not eligible for the rebate, for instance households in council tax bands E-H, can apply for a cash payment if they are struggling.
A separate £144million fund has also been launched which local councils can dish out to vulnerable and low income households.
Some councils like Camden have opened applications for the cash worth up to £150.
If you’re in your overdraft then it may mean that the payment goes towards paying off some of what you owe, unless you tell your bank you need the money for paying essential bills.
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