Leeds council tax: Tens of thousands of households still waiting for cost of living rebate in July

Earlier this year, the Government announced that every household in council tax bands A to D would receive a £150 rebate, as part of a wider package of support to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

These payments started landing in people's bank accounts in April – but new figures from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities show that 25,563 – or 8.2 per cent – of the 310,000 eligible households in Leeds were still waiting as of the end of July.

More households will likely have received the payment since then.

Payment has generally happened automatically for those who pay their council tax bills by direct debit.

But it could take longer to reach council taxpayers without direct debit arrangements, as local authorities need to attempt to contact them about the rebate scheme and carry out checks, the Local Government Association said earlier this year.

The Government has also pledged £144m in 'discretionary funds' to help those not covered by the main rebate scheme, or to provide further support to those who are – such as those who have a council tax reductions due to a disability, but do not live in a band A to D property.

These figures show 15,800 households in Leeds had received funds from the discretionary fund as of the end of July.

Across England, 2.6 million households were still waiting to receive support as of the end of July, out of more than 19 million eligible.

The incoming Prime Minister – to be announced early next week – has been urged to provide more support to tackle the soaring costs of fuel, food and basic goods.

A recent report by the Resolution Foundation think-tank proposed an energy support package worth tens of billions of pounds, to help Britons weather the squeeze on living standards.

Levelling Up Secretary Greg Clark said: “I’m pleased to see further progress in paying the council tax rebate out to the millions of households who are eligible to receive it.

“We want to make sure that those most in need receive the support that they are entitled to help households with the cost of living.

"This is why I am urging everyone to check their eligibility to receive the rebate and contact their councils if they have not.”

Anyone yet to obtain the payment should check their council’s website and make a claim by the end of September, the DLUHC said.

Information on the Leeds City Council website read: “If you are eligible and haven't received the rebate payment yet, how you get this will depend on your individual circumstances.

"You will either receive a letter which can be taken to your nearest Post Office with proof of ID and redeemed for the £150 credit, of £150 direct to your council tax account and a revised bill including any changes to payments due.”