Octopus energy variable DD

garden25

What was the outcome of the above topic. I am now enc the same problem with potential more than 1 DD a month - I'm only on a pension.

Ayr_Rage

Please give us a clue about the issue as you haven't linked to a previous topic.

"Only on a pension" is not really relevant, if that is a state pension you get paid more often than once a month, either every 4 weeks or weekly if you ask.

tfhnota

On Octopus variable DD they sometimes issue a DD if something happens such as a change of tariff, taking money for the old one up to the date of the change and then taking a second one on the normal date for the new tariff, or splitting between gas and electric, but once it settles down it will go back to the normal routine of a single DD every month. They have to give you sufficient notice, usually a couple of week between calculating the bill and actually taking the money out of your account. You do not pay any extra but it might interfere with your cash-flow. It is a bit annoying that the State Pension is paid every four weeks rather than monthly to line up with all the bills and more bizarre that the council tax is paid over ten months rather than twelve.

inkydolphin

In

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940121#Comment_81940121

Where I live you can choose to pay council tax over 12 months rather than 10. Not sure if that's the same everywhere though.

Swipe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940300#Comment_81940300

I like the 10 month council tax payment option as I pay my electric only heating bill via variable DD and the 2 month break covers my two largest Jan and Feb bills.

squirrelpie

On any variable direct debit they have to give ten working days notice (i.e. two weeks) in advance of taking each payment, by law. Octopus normally send an email with a PDF attachment. It can be very irritating even though they're not taking any extra money, just splitting the monthly payment into two. Keeping a cash buffer, or arranging to get the State Pension weekly, can help as already suggested. If it really causes financial difficulty then I would suggest to contact Octopus as soon as they give notice of the unexpected payment and ask them to delay it until the normal time.

WiserMiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81940300#Comment_81940300

Yes, councils do have to offer 12 monthly payments as an option.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/paying-your-bill

Qyburn

State Pension can be paid weekly to give a more consistent cash flow.

Regarding Octopus billing and DD timing, they supposedly stick to a fixed date once a month for billing, with the DD two weeks later. But as mentioned they will also issue mid-month bills on occasion, meaning another DD.

The only way to guarantee just one DD a month is to choose fixed DD.