Thousands of UK residents may be eligible for a further cash boost on top of the £150 council tax discount.

The money may help the lowest-earning households manage rising bills during the cost of living crisis.

Under the terms of the council tax grant, households in property bands A to D will get a £150 rebate on this year’s bills.

How to reduce your energy bills as prices increase

But some areas could get more money to help cope with the cost of living crisis.

Households who don't qualify could get targeted support, potentially adding an extra £40 on top.

Is there any more government financial support?

300 councils have also been given a £144million discretionary fund.

The government explains: "In recognition that billing authorities may wish to provide support to households who are not eligible under the terms of the main scheme, councils will receive a share of a £144million discretionary fund."

The fund, issued to local authorities, is to help households battling rising prices who are at risk of falling into the poverty bracket as well as those who may fall outside of the A to D scheme.

Some councils say the money will be offered to those in all bands – not just those in A to D properties reports The Mirror.

Other councils say the extra funding will be paid automatically to the lowest earners.

When will the fund be distributed?

There is no timeline for when discretionary fund payments should start but local authorities have to spend the money by November 30 2022 or return it to the central government.

The guidance does say support from the discretionary fund should consist of no more than £150 per household, which equates to the same amount as the council tax support.

Therefore, local authorities will decide and publish their eligibility criteria. This could include households living in property valued in bands E to H on income-related benefits or for those where the energy bills payers are not liable for council tax.

However, students living in halls may not be eligible unless exposed to rising energy prices in a similar way to other households.

The schemes are targeted toward those already getting council tax support.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.

Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.

You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.

Don't take my word for it - subscribe here to see for yourself.

Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by joining our Facebook group - Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents

Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated Facebook group - Hampshire Court and Crime News