CHESHIRE East Council is encouraging residents to come forward if they have not yet received their council tax rebate – as more than 11,000 qualifying properties are yet to receive the payment.

Earlier this year, the Government announced 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 figures from Cheshire East Council shows 11,540 eligible households in the local authority area were yet to receive the payment as of the end of August.

Councillor Amanda Stott, chair of Cheshire East Council’s finance sub-committee committee, said: “As of the end of August, the latest figures reveal 121,460 energy rebate payments have been made out of the 133,000 eligible households in Cheshire East, and we are working hard to contact those who are eligible and are yet to claim their £150.

“Anyone who thinks they are eligible is advised to visit: cheshireeast.gov.uk/energyrebate.

“Those eligible who do not claim by the government’s deadline at the end of Septemver will receive £150 credit onto their council tax account.

“Some council tax-payers who are eligible have chosen for us to transfer this credit to their account rather than receive a £150 cash payment.

“There is also a discretionary scheme available aimed at households in council tax bands E to H where the taxpayer is in receipt of council tax support or income-related benefits, in which the deadline for this scheme is midnight on Tuesday, November 15, 2022.

“More information on this scheme, and the rebate, can be found in the above link on our website.”

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.