Council Tax rebate update – why is the £150 payment missing from bank accounts?
MILLIONS of households are waiting for a £150 council tax rebate that will be paid from today.
The cash will be handed out to 80% of homes to help families with the rising cost of living.
The government announced the grant in February in a bid to counteract soaring energy bills.
Millions of households are facing a £693 hike to annual gas and electricity costs from today.
Families who live in properties in council tax bands A to D are eligible for the £150 rebate.
The Local Government Association, which represents councils across the country, said payments will be made from today.
You can find out which band you're in by using - you just need to enter your postcode.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But councils have warned there could be a delay with handing out the cash.
Many households have said they've not yet received the money, and are unsure when it will be paid.
"I signed up to pay council tax direct debit on the basis that I would be getting a £150 rebate today," one Twitter user said.
"I've checked my bank and it's not there."
Another said: "Anyone else seen their council tax go out today when they were expecting a rebate?"
Most read in Money
"Was this supposed to be put in accounts today?" a resident said.
";They have taken the new higher council tax amount but no rebate."
Councils have been told not to pay the £150 until households have made their council tax bill payment for April.
That means if you pay your bill later in the month, you will face a longer wait for the refund.
The payment timeline will vary between areas so you need to contact your local authority to find out when to expect it.
For example, Rugby Council said the rebate date will depend on when households usually pay their council tax bills.
North Lincolnshire council has said payments will be made from mid-May after bank accounts have been verified by the payment of your April direct debit.
Horsham Council, in Surrey, said "given the volume of payments we have to administer there may be a delay in processing payments".
It said it hopes to have the majority of payments made by the end of next month.
If you pay by direct debit you're likely to get the cash sooner as it will be transferred straight into your bank account.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
But if you pay using a different method it will take longer as you'll have to apply directly to the council.
If you're not eligible for the council tax rebate you can apply for a grant from a separate fund.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
Email us at [email protected]