April Council Tax Rebate

tcellmutation

Hello,

just wondering if anyone knows the date in April that we get the £150 council tax rebate?

I understand as I pay by direct debit the council will do a transfer of £150 to my bank account.

Any additional info would be welcome.

Thanks

calcotti

The government has only just issued guidance to councils. I expect arrangements may differ between councils.

MarkM88

Im guessing if you pay part of the council tax bill then the £150 will be deducted from your balance. 

Although, I did see this too, so it suggests it will go into bank account if you have a DD set up - https://www.gov.uk/government/news/households-urged-to-get-ready-for-150-council-tax-rebate

tcellmutation

Great, thanks guys!

tcellmutation

So far no additional info 

Any particular date in April?

poppy123456

tcellmutation said:

Any particular date in April?

It says "from April" no date.

tcellmutation

starman2022 said:

Given the Government are providing this rebate to the Council Tax, and this to help with rising energy bills : what about those who get a full Council Tax benefit? where is their £150 rebate?

Obviously, Central Government will allocate £150 to each household but if the Council rebate that Household anyway then how does this rebate of £150 help those already on support?

I wonder if those getting full Council Tax Support will get anything toward their energy given this issue.

People who already get a council tax reduction will still get £150

calcotti

tcellmutation said:..Any particular date in April?

As per my previous comment I don’t expect it will be one date for everybody, there will be differences between councils and even within one council they may not all be done on one day.

Guidance does not say payments will be IN April, it says FROM April.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance/support-for-energy-bills-the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance#the-council-tax-rebate

All Council Tax Rebate grants should be paid as soon as possible from April. 

Councils have until 30th November to spend the allocated funds.

calcotti

starman2022 said:

I wonder if those getting full Council Tax Support will get anything toward their energy given this issue.

The rebate is being made to all liable Council tax payers regardless of whether or not they actually pay. 

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance/support-for-energy-bills-the-council-tax-rebate-2022-23-billing-authority-guidance#the-council-tax-rebate

• A property that meets all the criteria, but has a nil council tax liability as a result of local council tax support, will be eligible.

23. Where a council does not hold live direct debit instructions for an eligible household, the government expects them to make all reasonable efforts to contact the household as early as possible to make them aware of the scheme and invite them to make a claim.

calcotti

starman2022 said:

Hopefully, you are all right, I hope so. I dont pretend to be an expert on this issue at all. I think the best thing is to contact the council and make sure they have plans in hand!

Give them  break. The guidance for councils was only issued a few days ago. As usual this is central government making up policy on the hoof and imposing a huge administrative task on local authorities at short notice without regard to their capacity etc. 

bg844

They text me saying payment will be made by mid April in to my account. I won’t see it for long anyway as the council will take it straight back off me for my 10 monthly payments (thankful I don’t have to pay this month and next).

tcellmutation

I get an 80% discount already so £150 takes my yearly council tax to £174

OverlyAnxious

On the Martin Lewis show this week, he said the council tax rebate would not affect any benefits but I haven't been able to find any more info on that. 

Does that mean it won't ever have to be included in the savings amounts for means tested benefits?  And if so, could I place it in a separate bank account until I need it?


I would have done the same with the £200 electric 'loan' due later in the year as well, though as I understand it, that will be paid into the electric account rather than a bank account so we won't actually see it as money.  I don't want to take this thread off topic with that, but will just say I would have opted out of that if there was a choice.  While I still get PIP (and associated benefits), I can cover the increases this year.  If I lose the PIP, I may not be able to cover the extra £40 'repayments' in the following years.

poppy123456

OverlyAnxious said:

Does that mean it won't ever have to be included in the savings amounts for means tested benefits?  And if so, could I place it in a separate bank account until I need it?

It will be counted towards your savings limit.

OverlyAnxious

woodbine said:

But the hope is that by 2023 energy prices and the energy cap will have fallen, they can't stay at these record rates for ever. I'm not sure what you mean about counting the £150 as capital unless your already have £5850 in savings?

Exactly that, it is just a 'hope'...not based on any sort of evidence. 

However, even if the rates dropped back to today's rates, I'd really struggle to cover them without the PIP & SDP, let alone the extra £40 a year on top.  (Of course, I can 'hope' not to lose the PIP but prefer to base my predictions on reality and past events rather than some sort of blind optimism.)

And yes, I am close to the savings limits now, hence asking.  I'm grateful to have that buffer, which I didn't have before getting PIP backpay but it does frustrate me that I can't save any more than that without the hassle of contacting DWP and having accounts reviewed etc.  £6k isn't a lot of money nowadays, half of that could go on a Motability AP (if eligible this time) and if I'm able to move to a more suitable property soon, I'll need to buy furniture and white goods which will take another chunk out of it.

OverlyAnxious

poppy123456 said:

OverlyAnxious said:

Does that mean it won't ever have to be included in the savings amounts for means tested benefits?  And if so, could I place it in a separate bank account until I need it?

It will be counted towards your savings limit.

Thanks Poppy.  Looks like ML was wrong then, I did think it seemed odd.

MarkM88

@OverlyAnxious could you not put the £150 straight towards your energy bills and be in credit? 

tcellmutation

MarkM88 said:

@OverlyAnxious could you not put the £150 straight towards your energy bills and be in credit? 

Yup! People will be doing all sorts with it. Hopefully we’ll all use it wisely.

vikingqueen

Will we just not get a council tax bill with the £150 deducted? 

tcellmutation

vikingqueen said:

Will we just not get a council tax bill with the £150 deducted? 

£150 direct to your bank account if you have direct debit setup for council tax

vikingqueen

I don't pay by direct debit though