Over 800,000 low income families will miss out on £100 energy payment – find out if you’ll get the boost

Comment now Next HUNDREDS of thousands of low income families will miss out on an £100 energy bill payment because of their council tax band. Around 838,000 households claiming Council Tax Support will not qualify for the payment, despite already needing help with their bills , according to Policy in Practice. Chancellor John Healey announced the £100 payment scheme in his maiden Budget last week Credit: PA The one-off £100 payment will be paid to 20million households in the UK Credit: PA Advertisement Chancellor John Healey announced the £100 Household Energy Payment for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D in England in last week’s Budget .

But families living in properties in bands E to H fall outside the main scheme – even if they are struggling to make ends meet. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Policy in Practice warns that a home’s council tax band doesn’t necessarily reflect how much money the people living there have.

Some low-income families have little choice over the property they are allocated, while others share a larger home with relatives to keep costs down. READ MORE IN MONEY STAYING TOASTY 7 energy gadgets that will cut your heating bills - they cost NOTHING to run TOY JOY Amazon reveals top 13 must-have toys for Xmas - including ultra-rare Pokemon cards Its research found that low-income households with five or more people are 1.6 times more likely to live in a band E to H property than the average low-income household.

That means more than 130,000 larger, low-income households are set to miss out on the main payment Who will get the £100 payment? The announced scheme covers households in council tax bands A, B, C and D in England. This means that households in bands E, F, G and H are not covered by the main payment. Advertisement Most read in Money CAR CASH Barclays becomes first bank to dish out car finance payouts LICENCE FREE Four ways you can get a TV licence for FREE as hated charge could hit £200 BIG DEAL All the stores already running Black Friday deals - including 50% off perfume BANKING ON IT Experts reveal maximum amount of money you should keep in your bank account You can find your property’s band on your council tax bill, or you can use the government’s online tool .

The band-based scheme applies only in England. Scotland , Wales and Northern Ireland will receive equivalent funding allocations, with support arrangements decided separately. Can you get help if you miss out? Being excluded from the main payment does not necessarily mean you cannot get any help. Alongside the £100 payment, the government announced £100million for councils to target support at households badly affected by rising energy bills .

That includes people in higher-band properties who miss out on the main scheme. Advertisement However, this is separate support – not a guarantee that everyone excluded will receive £100. If you are struggling, contact your council to ask what help is available and how to apply. Policy in Practice found that 84% of the households excluded from the main payment have children, live with a disabled person or are below the poverty line. It says councils could use data they already hold to identify those families and offer targeted help.

Even households covered by the scheme could face barriers to getting the cash, Policy in Practice warns. Advertisement People who do not pay council tax by direct debit – including some whose bills are fully covered by Council Tax Reduction – may need to apply rather than receive an automatic payment. The organisation warns that separate applications risk leaving struggling households behind. RECOMMENDED STORIES It also says payments into overdrawn bank accounts could end up reducing existing debt rather than being available to spend on energy.

Francisca Torres Cortés, head of research at Policy in Practice, said: “Over 800,000 low income families are going to be missing out on this vital relief from high energy bills.” Comment now