Councils reveal how households who don’t pay tax by direct debit can get £150 rebate in bank accounts ASAP

COUNCILS have started to reveal how households who don't pay their tax bill by direct debit can get the £150 rebate.

Families who don't have automatic council tax payments set up will have to apply for the grant.

The government unveiled the plan to give 80% of households a £150 council tax refund earlier this year.

It will be paid to people living in homes in council tax bands A to D, to help families cope with the rising cost of living.

Residents who settle their council tax bills via direct debit will get the payment first.

That's because the local authority will already have their bank account information on file.

Those payments will start to be paid this month - although some councils have warned of delays.

If you pay by another method, some councils have started to reveal how you can access the cash.

The way it works depends on you live in.

For example, York Council said residents who don't pay by direct debit will be able to apply online from May.

Barnsley Council has already made an online application form available.

Residents can either get £150 transferred into their bank accounts or get a discount on future bills.

People who live in Barnet, North London, will get a letter from the Post Office with a barcode on it from May 4.

Those letters can be taken to any Post Office for households to claim the £150 cash payment.

East Devon Council has said it will write to eligible residents to invite them to apply online.

Check your local council's website for information on how to get the rebate.

Not all local authorities have confirmed how it will be paid, so you might have to wait.

Some will still let you sign up to pay by direct debit to get the grant sooner.

Martin Lewis' MoneySavingExpert has issued an urgent scam warning to households who are expecting the £150 council tax refund.

You could reduce your council tax bill by changing what band you're in, like this savvy saver who managed to knock hundreds off the total.