- Confirmed in the Budget: £100, for households in England in council tax bands A to D, from January 2027 (announced, pending legislation).1
- Who: households liable for council tax on, and living in, a band A to D property as their main home. Second homes, empty homes and people who are not responsible for the council tax are not included.6
- How: if you pay council tax by Direct Debit you do not need to do anything; it goes into your bank account. Otherwise your council will invite you to apply.6
- Not yet confirmed: the full rules for households exempt from council tax (the government says most will be included) and the exact date in January 2027.6
- Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland get funding for similar support, not a confirmed payment.1
- Scams: do not give bank or card details to anyone who says they can arrange this payment for you.2
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
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What the Budget says
The Budget on 28 October 2026 announced “a £100 payment for households in bands A-D in England from January 2027” (announced, pending legislation).1
On how it reaches people, one part of the Budget says it will be “directly provided to up to 20 million households via the Council Tax system”. The summary says “a £100 payment directly into bank accounts from January 2027 for households in England in council tax bands A-D”.1 DESNZ's explainer, published the same day, settles it: Direct Debit payers get it in their bank account and councils invite everyone else to apply (announced, pending legislation).6
Status: announced, pending legislation. Nothing has been paid yet.1
Who gets it and how it is paid
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero says households are eligible if they are “liable for council tax on, and live in, a property in council tax bands A to D as their main home”. Up to 20 million households are expected to qualify.6
Second homes, empty properties and households where the householder is not responsible for paying council tax are not eligible.6
If you pay council tax by Direct Debit, you do not need to do anything: the money goes into your bank account. If you pay another way, your council will invite you to apply.6
What is not confirmed yet
The full rules for households exempt from council tax: the government says most will be included, with the criteria to be published.6
The exact date in January 2027.
We will update this page when the government or councils publish the details.
Check your council tax band
The payment is for homes in bands A to D. Your band is on your council tax bill. GOV.UK has a free service to find the council tax band for a home in England or Wales by its address or postcode.3
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The Budget says: “The devolved governments will receive their share of funding through the Barnett formula” (announced, pending legislation).1
That is money for the devolved governments, not a confirmed £100 payment to households there (not yet confirmed). Each government decides what support to offer.
Watch out for scams
Be wary of anyone who contacts you about this payment. Do not give bank or card details to anyone who says they can arrange it for you, and never pay anyone to get it. Wait for details from the government or your own council.
GOV.UK: “Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords)”.2
Texts: “Forward suspicious text messages to 7726 - it’s free.” Emails: “Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk”.2
If you think you have given your bank details to a scammer, contact your bank straight away.
Help you can get now
The Warm Home Discount is £150 off the electricity bill this winter for people on certain benefits.4
Your council can help with bills and essentials through its crisis scheme, and the Budget adds “this Budget provides £100 million additional funding for local authorities in England” for energy help (announced, needs legislation).51