More than 90 percent of council tax rebates have been paid in a "monumental" effort in Darlington, councillors were told.
A Darlington Borough Council meeting was given an update on the £150 one-off payments.
A leading councillor said a July 31 deadline was approaching for the rebates, but if Darlington households do not apply by July 31, the council will pay the amount into their council tax accounts.
The rebates are being paid by the government to taxpayers in eligible homes to help with rising energy and living costs.
Those who pay by direct debit were to receive the one-off £150 in their bank accounts, while others have to claim it.
Read more: Council tax rebate - More letters from Darlington Council
Councillor Scott Durham, cabinet member for resources, said: "In terms of the council tax fuel rebate, the total number of payments now stands at 40,500 which is approximately 90.2% of all the payments which were due.
"For the non-direct debit payers, there were 16,000 letters sent out inviting applicants. We've received just short of 12,000 so we've overall returns of 75%, and they've all been paid.
"Reminder letters are going out and that's to remind people to apply before the deadline of July 31.
Read more: Darlington council tax reactions - from "still waiting" to "booked a tattoo wiv it"
"I remember there was some concern that some people wouldn't receive this money.
"There is a fallback position in that anybody who hasn't applied for their rebate, there will be a credit to their council tax account which, if they subsequently wish to do, they can have a refund on that.
"Just to emphasise all the fantastic work it's taken to fulfil this monumental exercise, if you take into account the 16,000 letters, we've received just short of 3,000 telephone calls, so there's been a number of residents who have been assisted through the process to achieve that 12,000 applications which have been paid."
The government set councils a deadline of September 30 to make all payments.
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