Andy Burnham confirms 9 million households NOT getting £100 energy bill payment

Andy Burnham confirms 9 million households NOT getting £100 energy bill payment Andy Burnham announced the move for 20 million households in the UK - but a key rule in the scheme means millions will miss out of the £100 energy bill payment Andy Burnham 's government has confirmed nine million households will not be able to claim the new £100 Household Energy Payment. The new scheme has been introduced by Chancellor John Healey in Andy Burnham's first budget as Prime Minister as energy bills rise amid conflict in the Middle East. Healey said he will 'create immediate breathing space for families' with the rising cost of living, and also help bill-payers long-term by removing standing charges from gas bills and supporting households with energy debt. The Chancellor announced that around 20 million households will get a £100 payment from the government to help with energy bills this winter. The £2.6 billion scheme aims to take pressure off households during the coldest months and see people through to the spring, reports the Manchester Evening News. Delivering the Budget, Mr Healey said: “Let me say this to families at home. I know that with the conflict in the Middle East, rising energy bills are a real worry. I know that people look to Government at times like this, not to solve all their problems, but to give them a bit of breathing space. “So today I’m taking one further step. This winter, for 20 million households in council tax bands A to D, I am announcing a £100 energy payment for households, paid directly into people’s bank accounts to deal with rising energy bills. That’s a £2.6 billion scheme to take the pressure off in the coldest months and see people though to the spring.” Up to 20 million households will be eligible, including an estimated 83 per cent of fuel stressed households in England, and 88 per cent of households in the bottom three income deciles. Households in England are eligible for the Household Energy Payment if they are liable for paying council tax on, and live in, a property in council tax bands A to D as their main home. This will include most households exempt from council tax, with full eligibility criteria to be published in due course, the government says. The payments will be made from January 2027 and paid directly into bank accounts. Anyone who is paying council tax on, and living in, a property outside of council tax bands A to D is not eligible for the payment. Second homes, empty properties or households where the householder isn’t responsible for paying council tax are also not eligible. According to the ONS, there are 29 million households in the UK - so around 9 million households will miss out on the payment. If you pay council by direct debit and live in bands A to D, you don’t need to do anything as the rebate will be paid directly into your bank account. If you don’t pay by direct debit, your council will invite you to apply for the rebate directly. The government warns: "Nobody other than your council should get in touch asking you to claim the rebate. Only give out your personal information if you are certain it is your local council contacting you. If you’re unsure whether a message is genuine, double check with your council."