How your energy supplier will pay £400 rebate - from British Gas to SSE and EDF

Millions of households will soon get a £400 discount on their energy bill to help with the cost of living.

The rebate will be paid starting from October, spread out over six months.

But energy suppliers are taking different approaches to handing out the cash.

Some will send the money to your bank account, others will reduce your bills and many firms have not yet decided.

To make matters even more complicated, what sort of meter you have also changes how you will get the £400.

Are you worried about rising energy bills? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

If you pay by monthly direct debit, you will get the cash to your bank account or as a bill reduction.

Those who pay with credit - after getting a bill - will get the cash as credit on their energy account.

If you have a smart prepayment meter you will get the £400 as credit on your meter, in instalments.

People with traditional prepayment meters will get vouchers, which can be used to top up their meter.

MoneySavingExpert has worked out how you will receive this money depending on your exact circumstances.

Your meter and energy firm dictates how you get the cash (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

British Gas

Monthly direct debit - credited to your bank or building society account

Standard credit - no plans announced

Smart prepayment meter - no plans announced

Traditional prepayment meter - no plans announced

Bulb

Monthly direct debit - reduced direct debit payments

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity account (gas to follow)

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher

E.on and E.on Next

Monthly direct debit - reduced direct debit payments

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity and gas accounts

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher

EDF Energy

Monthly direct debit - credited to your bank or building society account

Standard credit - no plans announced

Smart prepayment meter - no plans announced

Traditional prepayment meter - no plans announced

Octopus Energy

Monthly direct debit - will announce plans in September

Standard credit - will announce plans in September

Smart prepayment meter - will announce plans in September

Traditional prepayment meter - will announce plans in September

Ovo Energy

Monthly direct debit - credited to your bank or building society account

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - payment made to energy account

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher

Shell Energy

Monthly direct debit - reduced direct debit payments

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity and gas accounts

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher

So Energy

Monthly direct debit - reduced direct debit payments

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity account

Traditional prepayment meter - N/A

SSE

Monthly direct debit - credited to your bank or building society account

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity account

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher

Utility Warehouse

Monthly direct debit - reduced direct debit payments

Standard credit - payment made to energy account

Smart prepayment meter - credit to electricity account

Traditional prepayment meter - gas or electricity voucher