Supplier insisting on huge direct debit hike - what can I do?

LancPhys

My energy supplier is Bulb. When I heard that they might go bust (they since have) I thought I should check my credit balance with them; turned out it was £700! I got a repayment of £500 and they reduced my monthly payments from £200 (dual fuel) to £170.
They have now got in touch saying they are going to increase my DD to £250. This is based on the period mid-Nov to mid-Jan - the most expensive time of the year. I have explained the above backstory but they will not listen. I guess they don't care about customer service any more, having gone bust. Is there anything I can do? 

MWT

It will also be taking into consideration the increase in your variable tariff due from 1st April to the new cap rates.

It would be sensible to recalculate your likely annual bill at this point, if you need help just post your estimated annual gas and electricity consumption (kWh) and we can help with a rough calculation.

wild666

Try factoring in your usage at the new rates after April, doing them as if you were paying the new rates now. I think it's going to be around 28p for E and 7p for G with 43p SC for E and 27.2p for G then you can see if their £250 DD is near the usage. 
If you want to decrease your usage then start turning everything in standby mode off at the socket, in reality there are only three appliances that need to be on 24/7 and they are the fridge, freezer and router everything else can be turned off at the socket when not in use, but that is up to you.

markin

What is your current balance? I would think that you are still 200 in credit and you may not need to put it up until june. Are you still on a fix?

I dont think they cant make you put it up.