Households may have to wait until September to receive their £150 council tax rebate, in a blow for struggling families.
Councils started distributing the £150 payments in April, but whether you’ve already received yours or not is down to a postcode lottery.
Local authorities have until September 30 to issue the money, meaning families could be left waiting another four months.
Many households who pay by direct debit have already started receiving the £150 payment.
Those who don’t pay by direct debit will be contacted by their council, who will then ask for your details so they can issue the rebate.
Harrow Council has apologised for a delay in issuing payments, and in an update on May 16 said: "Due to a technical error, we apologise for the delay in issuing payments to eligible taxpayers.
"We are now testing a software that will enable us to pay the £150 energy rebate as soon as possible."
South Derbyshire District Council has also experienced delays in processing the rebates and is currently “testing the software” that will pay the £150 energy rebate.
“If the testing goes well, we hope to make the payment to direct debit payers in June 2022,” a notice on its website says.
Are you still waiting for your council tax rebate? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
Dartford Borough Council has also said payments may take until September to arrive in your account, depending on when you’ve made a council tax payment.
“We hold your bank details so we can pay the money directly into your bank account,” it said.
“We will transfer the money from May 2022, but you may have to wait until September.”
Who is eligible for the £150 council tax rebate?
The council tax rebate will apply to homes in council tax bands A, B, C or D in England and Wales - roughly 80% of properties - but not those who live in council tax bands E, F, G and H (or I as well, in Wales).
Scotland residents will also be entitled to £150 off if they are in bands A to D - but they're also qualify if they're currently getting a council tax reduction as well.
If you're eligible, the money won't need to be paid back and will be sent to you as a bank transfer if you pay by direct debit.
For those who pay by direct debit, councils will use the details they have for you in their system to send the money directly to your bank account.
The Local Government Association (LGA) has urged households to be aware of scammers trying to steal your details, and said councils will never ask for bank details over the phone.
If you don't qualify for the £150 rebate, you may be eligible for support through a £144million discretionary fund that has been set up for families in England.
Each council decides who is entitled to the funding, and what help you could get, so speak to your local authority for more information.
