Thousands of households have only DAYS left to apply for £150 council tax rebate

THOUSANDS of households have just days left to apply for help with rising bills – or face a wait for the cash.

The council tax rebate is worth £150 and millions of households are eligible.

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Those living in council tax bands A-D are eligible for the cash.

Many people who pay their council tax bill by direct debit have already had the cash paid directly into their bank accounts.

But thousands who don’t must apply for the £150 from their local authority.

Residents in Leeds have been warned they have just days left to apply for the help, or they will have to wait longer.

A deadline of June 24 at 5pm has been set for around 120,000 people who don’t pay bills by direct debit.

Each council is giving out the cash in different ways and all have until September at the latest to get the cash to those who qualify.

But some like Leeds have set earlier dates for applying for the money.

For example households in West Suffolk had until June 5 to apply.

Those who miss deadlines in their area shouldn’t miss out on the cash altogether – but it will take longer to arrive.

In Leeds, the council has said that anyone who doesn’t apply by Friday will have the £150 credited to their council tax account or get a voucher that can be redeemed at the Post Office.

A date for this has not been given, but if you apply before the deadline Leeds council has said you should get the payment within six weeks.

Anyone in Leeds can apply online and you can check if you need to do the same where you are by checking with your local council.

You can check your local council’s website and social media pages for the latest updates on when you will get the cash.

When will my £150 council tax rebate be paid?

Payments have already been made to many locals in places like Sunderland, Bracknell and East Hampshire.

But some have to wait longer as councils work through processing the payments.

When you get your £150 rebate depends on where you live.

Each council will have different systems, dates can vary, and the scheme is new.

You can check your local council’s website and social media pages for the latest updates on when you will get the cash.

If you have a direct debit set up to make council tax bill payments you’re likely to get yours earlier 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 eligible for the one-off payment you should check whether you qualify for any other help.

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.

There are also some exemptions to those in A-D bands, for example if you don’t live in the home.

You could challenge your council tax band if you think it’s wrong, so you don’t miss out on the cash.

But beware a revaluation of your band could put you in a lower band where you pay MORE council tax, so consider the risks.

If you are on a low income or receiving benefits, you could be eligible for a reduction on your Council Tax bill through a separate scheme.

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.

And the most hard-up families struggling with bills could be eligible for EXTRA payments on top of £150.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk