The cost of living payment worth £1000 for anyone not on DWP or HMRC benefits
| Author | David Bentley |
| Published date | 20 June 2022 |
| Publication title | EdinburghLive (Scotland) |
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However, what help is available to single people trying to pull in an income on their own and families who aren't on any form of government payouts such as benefits, tax credits or State Pension?
Fortunately, BirminghamLive have rounded up all the help on offer from the Government or elsewhere and when it will arrive.
1. £150 energy bill rebate via council tax system
WHEN: April to September 2022
This will provide a payment of £150 to households living in council tax bands A–D. The cash, which is supposed to help with energy bills, is being paid through the council tax payment system from April 2022, and millions of people with direct debits have had it already.
Local councils are responsible for determining who is eligible and making payments. It must be paid out by September 30, 2022, the Government said.
Although described as a 'council tax rebate' it is not a reduction in council tax nor is it intended to be used to pay council tax. It is part of the Energy Rebate Scheme 2022 delivered as a one-off payment into the account you use to pay your council tax. The Government is simply using the existing council tax database to process the rebate and identify those households who qualify.
But note that where a household is eligible for the rebate and the local council does not already hold payment details as a result of a direct debit, it may offer the option to receive the payment as a council tax account credit.
2. £150 via £144m Discretionary Fund
When: Depends on local authority
For those who need help with their energy bills but don't qualify for the above £150 rebate, there are other ways of gaining financial support.
The Government has provided local authorities with £144 million of discretionary funding. This is available if, for example, you are in higher council tax bands (E to H) or in a property in bands A to D that is exempt from council tax.
It can also help if you are a tenant living in a rented house-share where your landlord is the one paying the council tax and getting the £150 rebate. If you miss out on this sum but are affected by rising energy costs, you can also apply for help with bills via the discretionary fund.
In some cases, councils will provide a similar payment of £150. Others are offering £150 for those who get Council Tax...
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