Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) question.

whattochoose

I receive my energy from Outfox the Market. Yesterday I received the first instalment of the £400 payable under the EBSS support scheme (£66).
However, instead of receiving the full £66, I received £42.06, the amount I am currently paying as my D/D. The balance they have retained in my energy account. They explain as follows....

• "If you pay by Direct Debit, you'll receive the discount automatically as a refund to your bank account 5-7 working days following a successful Direct Debit collection
• Where your Direct Debit value is greater than the EBSS discount - we will refund the full monthly EBSS discount to your bank account
• Where your Direct Debit value is less than the EBSS discount - we will refund the Direct Debit amount to your bank account, and the balance of the EBSS discount will be applied to your energy account" 
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
•   However, I'm wondering why I have not received the full £66 in my bank account, since the amount I am currently paying by D/D, is the new amount they have calculated I will need to pay to adequately meet my usage needs, and by retaining a balance of my energy support payment, my energy account may well build up an excess I do not want or presently require.
• Am I reading this right?
• Thank you.
• 
  

[Deleted User]

I cannot speak for OFTM but Octopus is giving customers a payment holiday if the normal DD is £66 or less; however, £66 is being credited to the energy account.

If the DD payment is £76 per month, then the DD amount is reduced to £10 and then £76 (£66 + +10) is credited to the energy account.

I should that that EBSS is just a credit: it has nothing to do with the DD amount that you need to pay to cover your energy use. This is a separate calculation/discussion.

bristolleedsfan

whattochoose said:

I receive my energy from Outfox the Market. Yesterday I received the first instalment of the £400 payable under the EBSS support scheme (£66).
However, instead of receiving the full £66, I received £42.06, the amount I am currently paying as my D/D. The balance they have retained in my energy account. They explain as follows....

• "If you pay by Direct Debit, you'll receive the discount automatically as a refund to your bank account 5-7 working days following a successful Direct Debit collection
• Where your Direct Debit value is greater than the EBSS discount - we will refund the full monthly EBSS discount to your bank account
• Where your Direct Debit value is less than the EBSS discount - we will refund the Direct Debit amount to your bank account, and the balance of the EBSS discount will be applied to your energy account" 
• 
  
• 
  
• 
  
•   However, I'm wondering why I have not received the full £66 in my bank account, since the amount I am currently paying by D/D, is the new amount they have calculated I will need to pay to adequately meet my usage needs, and by retaining a balance of my energy support payment, my energy account may well build up an excess I do not want or presently require.
• Am I reading this right?
• Thank you.
• 
  

British Gas operate same policy as OFTM, I think logic is that EBSS is designed to reduce energy costs.

t0rt0ise

Apparently the system can't refund you more than you paid so you get your full payment refunded and the remainder of the £66 put on your account.

Alnat1

Seems this is correct. Octopus have kept the £66 as a credit on my energy account as I'm on a "DD holiday" so they are dealing with this in a similar way.

whattochoose

Thank you for replies. If I think my "in credit" amount is getting too large, I'll apply for a partial refund.