The recent rise in energy prices has left millions of people worried about how they will afford their gas and electric bills this winter. On October 1, the government's new price guarantee came into effect meaning the typical energy bill is now capped at £2,500 a year - around £208 per month - for two years.
Introduced by new prime minister Liz Truss last month, it is part of a number of measures aimed at helping those hardest hit by the cost of living crisis. But experts say that with energy bills still around 95% higher than this time last winter, millions are still likely to face fuel poverty or issues paying their bills.
Earlier this year the government announced it would be giving all households £400 off their energy bills. Split over a six month period, the move sees homes receive a discount each month between October and March, which will in most cases be applied automatically.
Read more: All the DWP payment dates between now and Christmas including £324 cost of living payment
How you will receive the discount will depend on your energy supplier and how you pay your bills. For example, in some cases it will be discounted automatically from your monthly direct debit, while in other cases you might get a voucher in the post. Here's everything you need to know about how each energy firm is giving the £400 discount.
When will I get my discount?
The discount will be applied to bills from October 1, so you should get it on the date you normally pay your bill. If you're on a traditional meter, you'll get your discount via vouchers which you should receive within the first two weeks of each month.
British Gas
Monthly direct debit: Credited automatically to your bank account
Cash or cheque: Your discount will be applied to your account balance each month
Smart prepayment meter: Your discount will be applied to your meter each month
Traditional prepayment meter: You’ll get your discount via vouchers, which you can then cash in when you top-up in your normal way
Find out more if you're a British Gas customer here.
Bulb
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
Find out more as a Bulb customer here.
E.on/E.on Next Energy
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your gas and electricity accounts (split evenly)
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
Find out more as an E.on customer here.
EDF Energy
Monthly direct debit: Credited automatically to your bank account
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
Find out more as an EDF customer here.
Octopus Energy
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your gas and electricity accounts (split evenly)
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
If you're an Octopus customer you can find out more here.
Ovo Energy
Monthly direct debit: Credited automatically to your bank account
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
If you're an Ovo customer you can find out more here.
Shell Energy
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your gas and electricity accounts (split evenly)
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
Shell Energy customers can find out more here.
So Energy
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: N/A
Find out more if you're a So Energy customer here.
SSE
Monthly direct debit: Credited automatically to your bank account
Standard credit: Credited automatically to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
SSE customers can find out more here.
Utility Warehouse
Monthly direct debit: Direct debit reduced automatically
Standard credit: Credited to your energy account
Smart prepayment meter: Credited automatically to your electricity account
Traditional prepayment meter: Voucher sent (via text, email or post) to be used on gas or electricity when you’re topping up as normal
Utility Warehouse customers can find out more here.
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