The £150 council tax rebate is being boosted by as much as £40 in some places

As the cost of living squeeze tightens, thousands of UK residents could be get a boost on top of their £150 council tax discount. Under the terms of the council tax grant, households in property bands A to D will get a £150 rebate on this year’s bills.

But in some areas households could get more free cash to cope with the cost of living crisis, while others who don't qualify could get targeted support, potentially adding an extra £40 on top. As well as the main rebate scheme, some 300 councils have been given a £144million discretionary fund. The government explained: "In recognition that billing authorities may wish to provide support to households who are not eligible under the terms of the main scheme, councils will receive a share of a £144million discretionary fund."

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The fund has been issued to local authorities to help households facing rising prices and at risk of falling into the poverty bracket, alongside those who may fall outside of the A to D scheme. Some councils say the money will be offered to those in all bands, not just those in A to D properties, reports The Mirror.

Others say the extra funding will be paid to the lowest earners automatically. Support from the discretionary fund should consist of no more than £150 per household, according to the guidance. This makes it the same amount as the council tax support.

It has been left up to local authorities to decide and publish their own eligibility criteria. The guidance said this could include households living in property valued in bands E to H that are on income related benefits or those where the energy bills payers are not liable for council tax.

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