Chancellor John Healey has confirmed that households in council tax bands E, F, G, and H will not receive the £100 Household Energy Payment, as part of a £2.6 billion scheme announced in the Autumn Budget.
The payment, which will be distributed from January 2027, is designed to help around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D with rising energy bills during the coldest months.
Who is excluded from the payment?
Andy Burnham's government has confirmed that anyone paying council tax on a property outside bands A to D is not entitled to the payment. This includes those living in band E, F, G, or H homes.
Additionally, second homes, vacant properties, and households where the householder isn't liable for paying council tax are also excluded from the scheme.
How the payment will be delivered
Households in England qualify if they are responsible for paying council tax on, and reside in, a property in bands A to D as their primary residence. The government states this will cover most households exempt from council tax, with complete eligibility criteria to be released in due course.
Those who pay council tax by direct debit and reside in bands A to D need not take any action, as the rebate will be deposited directly into their bank account. If you don't pay by direct debit, your council will invite you to apply for the rebate directly.
Official warning about the scheme
The government has issued a warning: "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."
In his maiden budget, Healey said he will "create immediate breathing space for families" facing the increased cost of living, and pledged to help bill payers long-term by removing standing charges from gas bills and supporting those with energy debt.
