Millions of households may have to wait until November to claim any cash through the £150 council tax rebate scheme.
The one-off payment is being awarded automatically to homes in council tax bands A, B, C or D.
If you’re in a council tax property with a band E, F, G and H (or I as well, in Wales) you won’t be eligible for the payment.
Instead, households that are struggling to afford their bills are being urged to apply for support through a £144million discretionary fund.
This is being distributed to councils throughout England, for vulnerable people on low incomes that do not pay council tax, or that pay council tax for properties in Bands E to H.
We explain how the discretionary funding works here.
But some people may face a long wait to receive any cash, as local authorities have until November 30, 2022 to make payments through this scheme.
In comparison, councils have until September 30, 2022, to make the main £150 payment for homes who are automatically eligible.
Are you still waiting for your £150 council tax rebate? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
The exact eligibility criteria for the discretionary funding is being set by each council.
This means you’ll need to get in contract with your local authority, or check their website, to see if you qualify for support.
For example, Arun District Council has received funding worth £373,350 which means it can provide 2,489 homes with a payment of £150.
The local authority has split its funding into two groups.
The first group is for households in a band E to H home who receive a council tax reduction, disabled relief or carer's allowance, or who are exempt from paying council tax due to severe mental impairment or living in an all-student household.
The second group is for "exceptional circumstances" where you have high energy usage and either claim benefits, receive a war pension, provide care for someone in your household or have high energy usage for a medical reason.
Cotswold District Council is also issuing payments of £150 through the discretionary fund.
This covers people in band E to H homes under specific circumstances, for example, where a council tax reduction is made or if you're a carer or live with someone who is called as severely mentally impaired.
But not all councils have decided who will spend the funding just yet.
On the Lambeth Council website it says: “Details of the discretionary fund and who is eligible to apply will be published here once available.”
We've got more information on how to lower your council tax here including ways to get 100% off your bill.
