Over 14,000 households in Newark and Sherwood who don't pay council tax by direct debit may have to seek their April rebate

More than 14,000 households who do not pay council tax by direct debit in Newark and Sherwood may have to make a claim for their £150 April rebate.

Presently 42,125 households pay by direct debit and, removing those exempt from paying, leaves 14,222.

A £150 cash payment is to be given to millions of households in April, but only those who make their council tax payments by direct debit will see the cash automatically paid to them and directly into their bank account.

While those who pay by other means, say ministers, will need to wait to be contacted by their local council where they will be invited to make a claim for their £150 payment, which will never have to be repaid.

Households who pay by direct debit will get the £150 paid automatically.

But tax payers who wish to set up a direct debit for their council tax payments in order to get their £150 quickly and seamlessly in a few weeks time are being told that it's not too late to set up the monthly payment system with their local authority.

And anyone wishing to do so is being encouraged to contact their council office as soon as possible in order to arrange their future direct debits.

Around 20 million households in council tax bands A to D — including 95% of rented properties — are set to be entitled to the £150 cash injection designed to help families manage cost of living pressures.

The money is being paid to households in council tax bands A to D.

An extra £144m is also being given to councils, say ministers, to provide discretionary support to vulnerable households who may not qualify for the £150 council tax rebate. This includes people on low incomes in council tax bands E to H.