Rising energy costs continue to spark fear for bill payers across the country. As part of the Government's Cost of Living package millions of energy customers will get a rebate on their bills. News of the dates when that rebate will arrive in bank accounts has now been confirmed.
The Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) means that bill payers will receive a £400 rebate as a direct payment into their bank account. Over 29 million households are eligible for the scheme.
Explaining the scheme and when and how customers can expect the cashback, British Gas issued an update to customers. It said that the discount would be is paid in six instalments. Monthly payments will start from October.
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The first two payments will amount to £66 and will appear in bank accounts in October and November, 2022. After that the figure rises to £67, which will drop into accounts in December 2022, continuing in January February and March 2023. If your bill is less the £66/£67 a month, don't worry, you'll still get that amount but will be able to use the sum for later bills.
British Gas explained: "If your direct debit is less than £67 a month, say £50 for example, £50 will be refunded to your bank account and the remaining £17 will be applied to your energy account." EDF customers who pay by direct debit will be refunded the discount after a successful bill payment is made, too."
The energy firm continued: "For direct debit customers, we'll send the discount straight to your bank each month - like a refund - once your Direct Debit has gone through. For example, if your direct debit is £100 a month, you'd pay as normal. Then a few days later, £67 will be paid in to your bank account."
What you need to know
- You don't need to apply, households will automatically get the discount.
- Direct Debit customers will receive the Energy Bill discount automatically as a deduction to the monthly Direct Debit amount collected, or as a refund to the customer’s bank account following Direct Debit collection during each month of delivery
- Standard credit customers and payment card customers will see the Energy Bill discount automatically applied as a credit to standard credit customers’ accounts in the first week of each month of EBSS delivery, with the credit appearing as it would if the customer had made a payment
- Smart prepayment meter customers will see the Energy Bill discount credited directly to their smart prepayment meters in the first week of each month of delivery
- Traditional prepayment meter customers will be provided with redeemable EBSS Energy Bill discount vouchers or Special Action Messages (SAMs) from the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post. Customers will need to redeem these at their usual top-up point
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