EDF General incompetence & lack of care etc...

elsien

from the DWP guidance

Requests for ongoing consumption

The supplier must obtain the customer’s consent to request to start a new deduction for ongoing consumption or increase an existing deduction for ongoing consumption. The supplier must advise the customer that they make representation to DWP about the deduction.

It would be helpful to see the wording of the letter that the OP was sent annually saying that the bill was for information only, and also whether it shows the increasing arrears or not to see how much they have dropped the ball.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82027662#Comment_82027662

The link to Shelter certainly says periodic review - its a failure of EDF and possibly the OP for not chasing it - but when your bill says dont worry - were monitoring your account - its easy to see why the OP might be realxed.

And that theirs has been seemingly fixed for last 6 years IMO - despite at times energy unit rates being more than twice 2020 levels (treble if compare EPG c10.3p to your 3.5p for gas) - likely a large part of this latest new demand.

I wonder if the Fuel Direct label somehow blocked their standard processes - as we have seen plenty of others pushed aggressively into higher DD levels to compensate at many suppliers - when large debts accrue in past - a but like the OP was in the mid 2010s (the £200 to £330 saga )

UnclePin

Thank you, all responders. I appreciate the efforts you have put in to assist me - in fact several of you have made some very interesting observations , and it appears from a consensus of your responses that EDF have been slightly less than "on the ball" as they have never formally requested any increase in my weekly deductions for Fuel Direct (as could be reasonably expected for a Customer on Pension Credit as their sole source of income).

I stress that they have consistently advised me in writing about bills being for "information only" and that I "did not have to do anything". I must assume that there are many historic and ongoing billing errors, pricing mismatches as well as other oversights by EDF themselves. I am preparing the Formal Complaint - and intend to run it past Solicitors/Specialist Advisers before sending it.

In addition, I should point out that I live in a rented property, so personally I cannot apply for any updating or modernising Government Social Grants.

Many thanks again.

UnclePin

Please refer to my other comments regarding regular letters from EDF,

EssexHebridean

The references to bills being for information only are standard where a DD is set up, I suspect. The wording will be designed to stop people "reacting" to the bill by trying to make a payment, and possibly even relates back to a time when DD was far less commonplace than now.

Scot_39

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82028833#Comment_82028833

As a tennant not so sure all avenues are closed, but whilst for some major schemes directly no, but there are (or were in terms of eco4) govt grants available for heating and home efficiency improvements to landlords.

And it would be in the interest of a good landlord (private or social) to support you by looking at applying for such help.

As if the property is poor, they could soon be legally forced to improve.

This article is mainly of course private rented, but there is a mention of social housing.

Again as well as advice on your debt, you should maybe talk to council, CA about options available.

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-2025-update/outcome/improving-the-energy-performance-of-privately-rented-homes-government-response-html

The problem of course this govt more than the previous never really seems to get - is that in the end - the tennant may well pay via rents for any and all enforced costs.

Ironic since many MPs, even ministers themselves are private landlords.