Have you had your rebate yet?

As nearly 50,000 households in Stoke-on-trent have received their refund, here’s all that you need to know about how it works...

ALMOST 50,000 households in Stoke-on-trent have now received their £150 council tax rebate as thousands more patiently wait for the payment.

Stoke-on-trent City Council has confirmed a total of 49,403 rebates have been paid in the Potteries.

However, those who have not yet received the cash in their bank accounts are being reassured the money will be with them shortly.

Anyone living in a property valued in council tax bands A to D as their sole or main residence will be able to claim the non-repayable rebate. In Stoke-on-trent, this includes 98 per cent of households.

A Stoke-on-trent City Council spokesman said: “Our team have already processed 49,403 rebates that have since been paid to residents.

A further 19,000 rebates were processed on Friday and payments should reach residents’ accounts by today. Our team are still working through a number of Direct Debit payments and these will be processed shortly.

“For non-direct debit payers, residents will receive a letter to their home address if they are eligible for the rebate. This will detail how to apply for your rebate and direct you to a form to complete.”

The rebates were due to be paid from April 1, and by September 30 at the latest, but when you receive your money may depend on where you live. To be eligible, households must have lived in the property as their sole or main residence on April 1.

Help for people living in bigger properties – in bands E to H – is available for those on council tax support, or for those who qualify for an exemption or discount. This will also be paid automatically into bank accounts or through Post Office vouchers.

People living in households of multiple occupation (HMOS) or who moved into their current homes after April 1 may also be eligible for help under discretionary funding. Details of the funding and information on applying will be announced in May. The payment will not be made on empty homes, second homes, or to non-resident landlords.

The council is also reminding people to be wary of cold-callers trying to scam money by using the £150 rebate.

A spokesman added: “We are aware of a scam which relates to fraudulent phone calls being made to residents regarding the rebate. If we contact you by phone, this will only be to discuss queries on your account and we will never ask you to give your full bank details.”