Billing practice for government subsidy

bytesplicer

I logged into my provider this morning to add my October meter readings.   I immediately noticed they are suddenly saying I'm not on direct debit (I am) and that my monthly payment says £0, and that my next month's payment will be £76.  So it appears instead of crediting my account with the government subsidy (they stated this is what they'd be doing) they have instead reduced my direct debit for this month (from £66 to £0).  The problem with this is our direct debit has already been paid just a few days ago, so it appears we are receiving no benefit at all from the subsidy this month, which our supplier is quietly pocketing.  It's early and I'm still a little groggy so may be wrong about this, but I have had past form with this provider ripping us off quite badly (Ombudsman found against them earlier this year), I have no trust in them but am trapped with them because of the crisis.  I've contacted them for an explanation but was wondering how is this being done for everyone else with their suppliers, are you being credited or having your debit reduced?  Again, it may be above board what they're doing, combination of tiredness and past form may be triggering me.

bytesplicer

Just want to clarify, a direct debit was just paid on 27th September for our full usual amount of £66.  Our debit has been set to £0 now, then will £76 on 27th October (meaning the October one is reduced by the subsidy).

bytesplicer

So read just now, (probably should have done that first!), on the government site that the subsidy can be a refund of the debit we've paid already this month.  Hopefully that's what they'll do.

BUFF

The government £400 energy support payments start in October (for what are traditionally the highest use 6 months) so was never going to be paid in September.

[Deleted User]

Different suppliers do it different ways.  You will be getting 6 payments. They can’t give you credit based on a September payment, because that’s before the rebate started.

You haven’t already paid this month.  You’ve already paid last month.

wild666

The DD will have gone out on the 27th but if your DD amount is showing £0 them from October they will take nothing until further notice. I have a 6 month payment holiday on my DD as my DD is less than £66 per month but also have £220 credit and my monthly bill from October will be in the region on £80 meaning my credit will be reducing by £14 or more per month.

bytesplicer

Thanks all.  Yeah I got confused by the £0 as it seemed to suggest they were reducing the September debit, but without actually giving me anything, but perhaps it's just showing as £0 because I've already paid for September so no further action, and I'll be getting six months of reduction starting with the 27th October payment.  Hopefully that's it will see what they say.