One million people told to claim £150 grant 'ASAP' as deadline is weeks away

A £150 council tax rebate was launched in April to help pay energy bills in England - but more than a million people had still not requested it. weeks ago

Research shows that more than a million eligible households had still not submitted an application a few weeks ago (file photo) (

Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto

England's poorest families have been urged to apply for a £150 grant 'as soon as possible' after it emerged that up to a million people could be short of it.

Former Chancellor Rishi Sunak unveiled the April rebate for households in municipal tax brackets A-D to help them deal with rising energy bills.

But 1.08 million eligible households had still not applied a few weeks ago, out of the 3.53 million who do not pay by direct debit.

And the government has given councils a deadline of September 30 to pay out the funds, raising fears that large numbers of people will be absent.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: 'This is a botched government ploy that leaves families and pensioners out in the cold.

“It was clear from the start that payments would never reach those who need them most. Now the clock is ticking to save people from catastrophic energy bills.”

He added: "It is a national disgrace that British pensioners have to choose between heating and eating this winter.

“Yet we have a zombie government that refuses to act even when its own half-baked programs prove unworkable.”

Andrew Western of the Local Government Association said councils had 'worked hard' to distribute the £150, but 'it has been a big task and not without difficulties'.

He added: "Anyone who is eligible for the £150 payment, but has not yet claimed it, should contact their council as soon as possible."

While most people who pay council tax by direct debit automatically receive the £150, those who don't have to apply through their local council.

Councils have been ordered to carry out "prepayment checks" on people who apply to ensure they are eligible.