Martin Lewis on how millions excluded from tax refunds can still get £150

There is a discretionary funding pot worth £144m to help those who are struggling to pay their bills but do not qualify for the £150 council tax refund eligibility criteria

Martin Lewis has explained how to get help paying your energy bills if you’re not eligible for the £150 tax refund.

The £150 payment is given to houses in council tax brackets A, B, C or D in England and Wales – around 80% of properties – but not to those in council tax brackets E, F, G and H (or I also in Wales).

Residents of Scotland are also entitled to a £150 reduction if they are in bands A to D – but they will also qualify if they are currently also receiving a council tax reduction.

However, if you’re struggling to pay your bills and you don’t fall into any of the above categories, you may be able to apply for help through a separate funding pot.

Local authorities in England get a share of a £144m discretionary fund – this will be used to support vulnerable, low-income people who don’t pay council tax or who pay council tax on properties in bands E to H. We explain how it works here.

Local authorities have until November 30, 2022 to make payments through this scheme.

Martin tagged the scheme in a new tweet on Thursday morning, saying: “Struggling to pay energy bills but not in council tax bands AD so not because of paying £150?

“Councils have been given a discretionary fund of £144million to give up to £150 to people in this situation

“Check out how to apply (although some are very slow to get money out of this program).”

Have you received your council tax payment of £150 yet? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

The exact eligibility criteria for voluntary funding are set by each council.

This means you need to contract with your local authority or check their website to see if you are eligible for assistance.

For example, the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council has divided its eligibility criteria into different groups.

Those who are council taxpayers whose sole or principal residence is in a property in bands E to H and receive a means-tested council tax credit receive £175.

“This does not apply to taxpayers who receive an individual rebate as this is not means-tested,” the council said.

Council taxpayers who receive a means-tested council tax rebate in property groups A to D will receive £25 on top of the £150 they already received as part of the original rebate.

Gedling Borough Council will pay £173 to households receiving council tax support in property groups E to H.

An additional £23 will also be granted to households that are in bands A to D and receive council tax support, giving a total rebate of £173.

But not all councils have yet decided who will spend the funds.

Lambeth Council’s website states: “Details of the discretionary fund and who is eligible to apply will be posted here as soon as they become available.”

Here you can find more information on how you can reduce your council tax burden.