The government has confirmed which households will not receive the £100 Household Energy Payment announced in the Autumn Budget. Around 20 million households in England are set to benefit from the scheme, which is designed to help with rising energy bills this winter.
Who is excluded from the payment
Chancellor John Healey, delivering the first Budget under Prime Minister Andy Burnham, said the payment would create "immediate breathing space for families" amid higher energy costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. The £2.6 billion scheme will be paid directly into bank accounts from January 2027.
Four groups are not eligible for the payment:
- Households paying council tax on properties outside bands A to D
- Second homes
- Empty properties
- Households where the householder is not responsible for paying council tax
How the scheme works
Households in England are eligible if they are liable for council tax on, and live in, a property in bands A to D as their main home. This includes most households exempt from council tax, with full eligibility criteria to be published later.
Those who pay council tax by direct debit will receive the payment automatically. Others will be invited by their council to apply.
The government warned: "Nobody other than your council should get in touch asking you to claim the rebate. Only give out your personal information if you are certain it is your local council contacting you. If you’re unsure whether a message is genuine, double check with your council."
