Will I get the £100 energy payment and when will I receive it?

Image source, Getty ImagesByMitchell LabiakBusiness reporterPublished13 minutes agoUp to 20 million households in England will get a £100 payment directly into their bank accounts this winter, the government has announced.Here's what you need to know about the payment.How much is it?For many people, the £100 on offer is a lot of money, but it's worth considering the context.A typical yearly energy bill is forecast to jump by £276 in January, so many people will still feel worse off despite the payment.Will I get the payment? And how can I check?Those living in properties which are in council tax bands A to D in England will get the payment, the government has said.As such, it's worth checking which council tax band your home is in, external. If you live in England, you can use the search function by typing your postcode into the box.Will I get it if I live in Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland?Chancellor John Healey said in his Budget on Wednesday that the policy was for England but that funding is available for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to make the payment as well.Healey urged the Scottish, Welsh, and Northern Irish governments to follow suit "give people of all nations in the UK breathing space on their energy bills this winter".However, Healey ultimately does not have the power to give the payment to people in the UK outside of England because it will be done through council tax, which is a devolved matter.Your pay, energy bills and savings: How the Budget affects youPublished1 minute agoHow do I get the money? And will I get it if I'm a student or don't pay council tax?The money will appear in the bank account which you pay council tax with from the start of January.Students living in halls will not get the payment because student halls are not in council tax bands A to D.However, if you're a student living in a property which is council tax bands A to D, as in a private home or flat let out by a landlord, you will get the payment.Students do not pay council tax, so the money cannot go straight into the account they pay council tax with. As such, the government said the local authority will be responsible for finding a way of giving the payment to the students. This is also the case for those who do not pay council tax because of another kind of exemption or if you do pay council tax but you do it by cash or some other way.The government said it will give councils guidance on how local authorities should do this in due course.Do I have to spend the money on my energy bill?The government has announced that the money will appear directly in people's accounts, but the cash payments have not been targeted.As such, people could choose to spend the money on something else.How is the government funding this payment?The government said the money for the £100 cash payments is coming from a rise taxes on banks.The surcharge on bank's corporation tax will rise from 3% to 6% for 15 months from 1 January 2027 to 31 March 2028, the government said.Related topicsCouncil taxPersonal financePersonal investmentCost of Living UK governmentMore on this storyBudget 2026: Key points at a glancePublished1 hour ago