Cost Of Living Payment (£150)

The Scottish Government have announced support to low income households to help tackle the cost of living crisis. The Cost of Living Award is for £150 and will be provided as a credit to Council Tax accounts to either:

• A person who lives in a dwelling in any Council Tax valuation band, is liable for Council Tax and is in receipt of Council Tax Reduction (CTR);
• A person who lives in and is liable for council tax for a council tax Band A-D dwelling and does not receive Council Tax Reduction;
• Certain categories of person living in a property exempt from Council Tax as follows;
  • 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.

Eligibility for the award is based on whether a person is liable for Council Tax on 14 February 2022 and will not be considered for other dates.  It will not be paid for any unoccupied properties or second homes (other than where the occupant is exempt because they have gone to someone else's home to provide care or they receive care elsewhere).  There is no need to apply, the Council will identify eligible accounts and payment will be made by a credit to 2022/23 Council Tax accounts, the credit  can also be used against water & waste water (sewerage) charges. The award will be reflected in the 2022/23 annual Council Tax bill due to be issued Mid-March, with monthly instalments reduced accordingly.

Only one payment will be made in relation to any single dwelling.  Where there is no Council Tax payable for 2022/23, due to full exemption from Council Tax and Water Services charges, a payment by cheque will be made to the first named liable party on the Council Tax account before the end of April 2022. In other circumstances refunds will only be made if the Council Tax account is in credit.