The City of Wolverhampton Council is now able to make £150 payments to eligible city households to help with cost-of-living increases, even if they didn’t apply earlier in the year.

All households, which pay their council tax bills by direct debit, swiftly received the rebate by the end of May, including new direct debit sign ups.

But the city’s lower number of households paying by direct debit presented a challenge, as all non-direct debit payers would need to apply directly to receive it.

Wolverhampton has a lower percentage of residents who pay council tax by direct debit - 59.5% - in comparison to nearby local authorities (Dudley 74%, Birmingham 66%).

But by the end of September, all eligible accounts where the £150 council tax rebate payment or application has not been made, will have a reduction to bills of £150. Those affected do not need to do anything, they will receive a letter clarifying the situation.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City said:

‘I’m glad we’re now able to make this rebate available to all those who didn’t specifically apply for whatever reason.

‘This simple process to ensure everyone could receive the money automatically was delayed due to the requirement to invite people to apply for a direct payment in the first instance.

‘Households don’t need to do anything they will receive details in the post over the next few weeks and hopefully this will prove welcome at a time when the cost-of-living crisis continues to be of great concern to all.’

The City of Wolverhampton Council is now able to make £150 payments to eligible city households to help with cost-of-living increases, even if they didn’t apply earlier in the year.

All households, which pay their council tax bills by direct debit, swiftly received the rebate by the end of May, including new direct debit sign ups.

But the city’s lower number of households paying by direct debit presented a challenge, as all non-direct debit payers would need to apply directly to receive it.

Wolverhampton has a lower percentage of residents who pay council tax by direct debit - 59.5% - in comparison to nearby local authorities (Dudley 74%, Birmingham 66%).

But by the end of September, all eligible accounts where the £150 council tax rebate payment or application has not been made, will have a reduction to bills of £150. Those affected do not need to do anything, they will receive a letter clarifying the situation.

Councillor Obaida Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and Digital City said:

‘I’m glad we’re now able to make this rebate available to all those who didn’t specifically apply for whatever reason.

‘This simple process to ensure everyone could receive the money automatically was delayed due to the requirement to invite people to apply for a direct payment in the first instance.

‘Households don’t need to do anything they will receive details in the post over the next few weeks and hopefully this will prove welcome at a time when the cost-of-living crisis continues to be of great concern to all.’