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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Rachel Pugh & Levi Winchester

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert issues urgent warning over one-off £150 bill payment

Money Saving Expert - the site founded by Martin Lewis - has issued a warning to millions of households in the UK ahead of April's Council Tax discount.

Next month, millions of people who own and rent homes in the UK will receive one-off £150 payments.

The one-off payments will be given to homes in council tax bands A, B, C or D in England and Wales - roughly 80 per cent of properties.

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Those who live in council tax bands E, F, G and H (or I as well, in Wales) will not receive the rebates.

Scotland residents will also be entitled to the £150 if they are in bands A to D - but they'll also qualify if they currently get a council tax reduction as well.

The payments are due to hit bank accounts from next month, and MoneySavingExpert has reminded households about who will get it automatically.

Those who pay council tax by direct debit should see the money automatically paid into their bank accounts.

If you don’t pay by direct debit, your council will contact you to explain how you apply for it.

The MSE team said: "Those who pay council tax by direct debit will get it automatically paid into their bank accounts.

“There's still time to set one up (although we can't give a specific deadline as it differs by council). If you don't set one up, the council will send you info on how to claim it.”

The Local Government Association (LGA) this week warned how those who don’t pay by direct debit could face delays in receiving their council tax rebate.

Councillor Shaun Davies said: “Having a direct debit set up will mean councils can automatically pay the £150 energy rebate straight into your bank account.

"It is quick and easy to set up to pay council tax by direct debit via your council’s website.

“You can still get the money if you don't have a direct debit set up, but it could take longer as your council will have to contact you and then you'll have to make a claim."

The LGA estimates around one million Brits don’t pay their council tax by direct debit.

You'll need to get in touch with your local council directly to set up direct debit payments, says the Mirror.

This will allow payments to be taken automatically from your bank account each month, over 12 months or 10.

You can usually set up a council tax direct debit online, but there will also be options for doing it over the phone or by post too.

You can find your local council using the Gov.uk website and searching your postcode.

If you don't qualify for the £150 council tax rebate you could still be eligible for other help.

A separate £144million fund has also been launched which local councils can dish out to vulnerable and low income households.

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