Ribble Valley homes most likely to miss out on £100 energy payment
A new study has found that Ribble Valley homes are the most likely to miss out on £100 energy payment in Lancashire, with both Burnley and Pendle also featuring inside the top 12.
Homes in the Ribble Valley are the most likely in Lancashire to miss out on the new £100 energy payment, with 31.3% in council tax bands that do not qualify.
Analysis of official council tax figures by bill help experts at Ex felon grants found 88,180 homes across Lancashire, or 12.2%, are in bands E to H, which do not qualify for the payment going to around 20 million homes from January. Across England the figure is 19.2%.
The analysis was conducted on all properties on the council tax list at 31 March 2026, from the Valuation Office Agency's Council Tax stock of properties figures, so they include empty properties and second homes. The percentages show the share of homes in bands E to H.
The full list for Lancashire
- Ribble Valley: 31.3% of homes (9,460)
- Fylde: 24.6% (10,350)
- West Lancashire: 18.9% (10,020)
- Wyre: 17.9% (10,140)
- Chorley: 17% (9,110)
- South Ribble: 13.4% (7,070)
- Lancaster: 11% (7,400)
- Preston: 10.3% (7,340)
- Rossendale: 9.9% (3,260)
- Pendle: 8.5% (3,560)
- Blackburn with Darwen: 6.8% (4,400)
- Burnley: 4.3% (1,860)
- Blackpool: 3.9% (2,850)
- Hyndburn: 3.6% (1,360)
Hyndburn has the lowest share at 3.6%.
Martin Lewis flagged the problem in a TikTok video recorded just after Chancellor John Healey sat down on Budget day.
"It's not means tested. You will simply get the hundred pounds. Of course it means some people who don't need it will get it and it means some people who do need it won't get it," he said.
For those left out, he said "there's £100 million being made available" for councils to give extra support. Each council will set its own rules.
"A council tax band tells you what a home was worth in 1991, not what's coming into the bank account today. There will be retired couples in the Ribble Valley who've been in the same house for 40 years and are dreading January's bills as much as anyone in a band D home," said Dawn Yates, from Ex felon grants.
"If you've missed out, don't wait until the bills land. Keep an eye on your council's website and ask what help is open to you now," Dawn added.
What to do if you miss out
- Check your band. Use the GOV.UK council tax band checker. If you're in bands A to D and pay by direct debit, you don't need to do anything. If you pay another way, your council will invite you to apply.
- Watch your council's website. The government says councils will post who qualifies for the extra help and how to apply once their schemes are ready.
- Ask about a Crisis Payment now. Councils in England have £749.7 million in crisis money this year for food, energy and essentials. Search for your council's name and "Crisis Payment".
- Check the Warm Home Discount. The government says people on means-tested benefits may qualify for £150.
- Be wary of scam messages. The government says nobody other than your council should get in touch asking you to claim the payment.