Households living in council tax bands A & B (the two lowest bands) that pay council tax by direct debit are set to receive their £150 cost-of-living payment “imminently” according to a recent update from Bridgend Council.
The payment is being funded via the Welsh Government but is administered by Bridgend Council.
BCBC also said that the payment is likely to be made before households receive a confirmation letter.
However, payments to households in tax bands C & D that pay by direct debit aren’t expected to be rolled out “for a few weeks”. Further information will be provided for people in bands A-D who pay bills directly/by cash or card.
Full eligibility criteria are listed on the Bridgend Council website – here.
Following the statement, BCBC was criticised by the opposition Bridgend County Independents Group for their slow roll-out of the payments.
“We have seen neighbouring councils administer this scheme in good time. Residents in Bridgend county are still waiting and have nothing more concrete than ‘imminently’ on when to expect their payments.
“We firmly believe that delivering an urgent payment to struggling families, at a time when household budgets are under significant pressure with rising costs, is more essential than ever. Clarity around communication of payment dates so people can budget is now more critical than ever.”
– Bridgend County Independents Group
Having had a look into it, this is what has happened in the counties in and around Bridgend:
- Neath Port Talbot – Those who pay council tax by direct debit were set to receive their payment by 25th April 2022. Everyone else should have been informed of how to apply by 25th May 2022.
- Cardiff – Hard to tell, but it looks as though direct debit taxpayers have been paid at least.
- Swansea – All payments to direct debit taxpayers appear to have been made by the end of April 2022. Everyone else was told how to apply (seemingly at the same time).
- Vale of Glamorgan – Payments began on 5th May 2022 with all those who pay their council tax by direct debit receiving their payment by 13th May 2022. As in Bridgend, everyone who pays directly/in cash is set to be advised separately.
- Rhondda Cynon Taf – The vast majority of payments were made by the end of April 2022, with the final payments completed on May 20th 2022. The only households left at the time of posting were HMOs, student accommodation and people exempt from paying council tax.
