Quick answer: in the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026, the government announced a £100 Household Energy Payment for around 20 million households in England in council tax bands A to D. Councils will pay it from January 2027. If you pay council tax by Direct Debit, it should go into your bank account automatically. If you pay another way, your council will contact you for bank details. Bands E to H don’t get it automatically, but councils get £100 million to help struggling households who miss out.
If your first thought after hearing the Budget was “Do I get the £100, and when?”, you’re definitely not alone. Here’s everything we know so far, in plain English, plus a quick checklist so you don’t miss out (or fall for a scam).
Updated 28 October 2026. This is a brand-new scheme, so councils are still working out the details. I’ll update this page as they publish them.
£100 energy payment at a glance
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much? | £100 per household |
| Who gets it? | Households in England in council tax bands A, B, C or D |
| How many homes? | About 20 million |
| When? | From January 2027 |
| How is it paid? | By your council. Direct Debit payers should get it automatically into their bank account |
| Do I need to apply? | Not if you pay by Direct Debit. Others will be contacted for bank details |
| Bands E to H? | No automatic payment; a £100 million fund helps low-income households who miss out |
| Scotland, Wales, NI? | Funding is going to the devolved governments for their own schemes |
Who gets the £100 energy payment?
The announced core scheme covers households in England who live in a band A to D property as their main home and are responsible for council tax there. The government says most council-tax-exempt households will also be included, with full criteria still to be published. It is a household payment, not £100 per person.
Who will not get the £100 energy payment?
Eligibility update checked 1 November 2026. The “four groups” headline refers to these exclusions from the core scheme, confirmed in the government’s Household Energy Payment guidance:
| Excluded group | What that means |
|---|---|
| Households in bands E, F, G or H | Outside the core A–D scheme. Financial difficulty does not automatically change the band requirement. |
| Second homes | The payment is for a qualifying main home. |
| Empty properties | An unoccupied property does not qualify. |
| Households where the householder is not responsible for council tax | Check who is legally liable, especially if rent includes bills. Paying rent is not itself proof of council-tax liability. |
Exempt does not automatically mean excluded. GOV.UK says most exempt households will be covered. If your bill is reduced to zero or your living arrangements are unusual, check the detailed council rules when published rather than assuming either outcome.
Missing out but struggling? Councils have a separate £100 million discretionary fund, with local eligibility and application arrangements. This does not guarantee a £100 award. Check your council’s website and my energy grants and supplier-support guide for other help.
Not paying by Direct Debit is not one of the exclusions. Eligible households paying another way will be invited by their council to apply. Payments begin from January 2027; that does not promise an individual payment date.
Not sure of your band? It’s printed on your council tax bill, or you can look it up for free on GOV.UK’s “Check your council tax band” service. (You never need to pay a website to check it.)
When will I get the £100 for electricity?
Payments start from January 2027. Councils pay them, so the exact date depends on where you live. Direct Debit payers are likely to be paid first, because the council already has their bank details.
It’s meant to help with winter bills, and it arrives around the same time as the January price cap change. Forecasters expect the cap could rise early next year, so the £100 is a useful cushion.
How will the £100 be paid? Do I need to apply?
- You pay council tax by Direct Debit: you shouldn’t need to do anything. The £100 should go straight into the bank account your Direct Debit comes from.
- You pay by cash, cheque, card or bank transfer: your council will contact you and explain how to give your bank details securely. Some councils may use an online form.
- Moved home recently? Check that your council has your up-to-date details.
Tip: if you’ve been thinking of switching to paying council tax by Direct Debit, now’s a good time to do it, as it’s likely to be the quickest route to getting your £100.
What if I’m in council tax band E to H?
Bands E to H won’t get the automatic payment. However, councils are getting an extra £100 million to support households who don’t qualify but are struggling, for example people on low incomes in a higher-band home. Keep an eye on your council’s website for their local support or Household Support scheme.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
The £100 payment is for England. The UK government is giving funding to the Scottish and Welsh governments and the Northern Ireland Executive, and they decide how to use it. I’ll add details here once they’re announced.
Watch out for £100 energy payment scams
Every time there’s a government payment, scammers aren’t far behind. Remember:
- Your council will never ask for your bank PIN or full card details.
- Don’t click links in texts or emails claiming you need to “claim your £100”. Go to your council’s website directly.
- If someone calls, hang up and phone your council back on the number from its official website.
- You never need to pay a fee to receive the £100.
Other Budget help with energy bills
- 0% VAT on household electricity extended until July 2027 (about £50 off the price cap from April).
- Gas standing charges (around £108 a year) are to be scrapped, with Ofgem aiming to do it by the end of 2027.
Is your monthly payment still too high? Try my 8 checks before you call your energy supplier, and see my Budget 2026 round-up for everything else announced.
£100 energy payment FAQs
Who gets the £100 energy payment?
Households in England in council tax bands A to D, around 20 million homes, announced in the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026.
When will I get the £100 energy payment?
Councils will pay it from January 2027. The exact date depends on your council.
Do I need to apply for the £100 council tax energy payment?
If you pay council tax by Direct Debit, it should be paid automatically into your bank account. If you pay another way, your council will contact you for your bank details.
Is the £100 taken off my council tax bill?
It is expected to be paid into your bank account rather than taken off your bill, as with the 2022 £150 council tax rebate. Your council will confirm how it works locally.
Do band E households get the £100?
Not automatically. Councils are getting £100 million to support low-income and vulnerable households who miss out.
Do people in Scotland and Wales get the £100?
The £100 payment is for England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are getting funding to run their own support schemes.
Is the £100 energy payment taxable?
Previous council tax energy rebates were not taxable and did not affect benefits. Check your council’s guidance once it is published.
Sources
- MoneySavingExpert: £100 payment for council tax bands A to D
- Unbiased: Autumn Budget 2026 key announcements
- GOV.UK: check your council tax band
Last updated: 28 October 2026. This is general information, not financial advice.
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About the author: Dr Kalpana Govindaraasan is the PhD scientist, former secondary science teacher and mum behind MoneySavvyUK, turning complex household money topics into practical steps.