Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate

About the Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate

The government recognises that many households need support to deal with the rising cost of household bills in 2022-23, driven by increasing energy bills. The government has provided funding to support those properties in council tax bands A-D through a Council Tax Rebate scheme.

We recognise that there are also other energy bill payers not covered by this scheme. We are providing this Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate to help support them.

The scheme will close when there is no funding available or on the 31 October 2022, whichever comes first.

Who is eligible for the Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate

This Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate is for:

• Properties in council tax bands A – B where the liable person is in receipt of council tax support (payment of £105.00).
• Properties in council tax bands E – H where the liable person is in receipt of council tax support (payment of £150.00).
• Properties in council tax bands E – H occupied only by a person(s) who is (are) severely mentally impaired (payment of £150.00).
• Properties in bands E-H which are in receipt of a disabled banding reduction (payment of £150.00).

Eligibility is based on the position at the end of the day on 1 April 2022.  

The property must be valued in the correct council tax band. Any retrospective changes will only be considered where funding remains available.

Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate payments

This payment will be made to the liable council taxpayer. This is in accordance with the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

Only one payment will be made per household, regardless of the number of occupants or liable council taxpayers.

Payments to an exempt property, will be based on s.4 of the Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1992 and the Council Tax (Exempt Dwellings) Order 1992, as amended.

Payments to properties where disabled people live, will be based on the Council Tax (Reductions for Disabilities) Regulations 1992, as amended, under powers contained in s.13(6) of the LGFA 1992.

How to apply for the Discretionary Fund Council Tax Rebate

If you currently pay for your Council Tax through direct debit (and you are the liable council taxpayer of an eligible household) you do not need to apply for the rebate.

 An automatic payment will be made to you as early as possible after June 2022.

If you are a liable Council Tax payer and you meet the above criteria and do not pay by direct debit, you should apply online for the Discretionary Fund rebate.