On 10th February 2022, a Cost Of Living Award was announced as part of the 2022-23 Scottish budget. It's an additional support to help tackle the cost of living crisis. The Cost of Living Award is for £150 and will be awarded to either:
- A person who lives in a dwelling in any Council Tax valuation band, is liable for Council Tax and was in receipt of Council Tax Reduction (CTR) on the 14th February 2022
- A person who lives in and is liable for Council Tax in a band A-D dwelling on 14th February 2022 and does not receive Council Tax Reduction
- Certain types of household otherwise exempt for Council Tax:
- all the occupants are under 18;
- all the occupants are care leavers;
- all the occupants are severely mentally impaired;
- the property is unoccupied because the resident has gone to someone else's home to provide care or the resident receives care elsewhere
- Additionally, persons accessing Housing Support Service and/or living in temporary accommodation or a refuge may be eligible for payment under this scheme. Only one payment will be made in relation to any single dwelling.
How this award will be paid
The Scottish Government’s aim is for the award to be made to eligible households before the end of April 2022. Payments will be made into the council tax accounts of eligible persons, in line with the majority of councils in Scotland.
A payment will be incorporated in the 2022/23 annual bill. For eligible persons, this will mean a reduction in monthly instalments.
If your household is otherwise exempt for Council Tax, you will receive a letter from us in due course.
FAQs
The Cost of Living Award is a one-off payment of £150 from the Scottish Government, which is being paid to your Council Tax. This is not a loan and you will not need to pay this back.
Back To TopNo application is necessary. If your household is entitled to the payment, it will show as a credit on your 2022/23 Council Tax bill.
See below:
If there is no figure in the “Cash paid” box are not eligible for this payment.
Back To TopIf your household is exempt from paying Council Tax and meets any of the criteria listed above, a letter will be issued shortly. We will request bank details for the £150 to be refunded to you.
Back To TopThere's currently no provision for students to receive this payment, under the Scottish Government's guidelines.
Back To TopTo make sure people receive this award as quickly as possible, and by the government’s end of April deadline, most councils have decided to credit council tax accounts.
We will be in touch with anyone exempt from paying council tax.
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