Millions of households across England are set to receive a £100 payment next year as the Government announces fresh help with rising energy bills.
The new Household Energy Payment was announced as part of the October 2026 Budget and is expected to benefit up to 20 million households.
But not everyone will qualify, with eligibility linked to the council tax band of your main home.
Who qualifies for the £100 payment?
Households living in properties in Council Tax bands A, B, C and D in England will qualify, provided they are liable for council tax on the property and live there as their main home.
The payment is designed to help families cope with rising household energy costs.
Second homes and empty properties will not qualify.
The Government says the scheme will provide support to around 80% of households in England.
When will the £100 be paid?
Payments are expected to begin in January 2027.
If you pay your council tax by Direct Debit, you should not need to do anything. The payment will be made directly into your bank account.
Those who pay their council tax using another method will be invited by their local council to apply and provide their bank details.
The Government has also confirmed that most households exempt from council tax will be included, although further eligibility details are still to follow.
How do you check your council tax band?
You can check your property’s council tax band through the official GOV.UK website.
Simply search for ‘Check your Council Tax band’ and enter your postcode to find out whether your property falls into bands A to D.
If your home is in one of these bands, you could be in line for the £100 payment.
Households in higher council tax bands will not automatically qualify, although the Government has announced an additional £100 million for councils to provide targeted help to people struggling with energy costs.
The important thing is to make sure you only provide personal or banking information through your genuine local council. The Government has warned people to be alert to possible scams.
Will you be eligible for the £100 payment, and do you think the Government should be offering more help with household bills?
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