Millions of families across the United Kingdom are set to receive a £400 rebate from their energy company this winter, in a bid to help tackle rising energy bills by the Government.
Exactly when and how you will be paid this figure varies from supplier to supplier, but financial guru Martin Lewis has listed some advice on everything you need to know as the time soon approaches.
His website, MoneySavingExpert reports that the scheme was initially announced in February as a £200 payment for households in England Scotland and Wales, who will receive a non-repayable grant of £400 between October 2022 and March 2023.
Read more: Martin Lewis warns Brits not to cancel direct debits as Ofgem's energy price cap soars
The site also reports that it will be paid in instalments of £66 in October and November, before £67 instalments land from December through March. Here's how you will receive the cash depending on how you pay for your household energy.
Monthly direct debitees will see the grant automatically drop in from their supplier, and it will come in the form of a refund straight to one's bank account, or as a direct debit reduction. Standard credit users who pay by cash, card or cheque after receiving bills will also see their money drop in automatically.
All suppliers will hand this over during the first week of every month between the October and March period, with it typically being added as credit to a user's account. Smart prepayment meter consumers will see the grant automatically applied to their meter in the first week of each month too.
However, there are concerns that credit is typically paid towards electricity usage and not gas. Some suppliers are making the credit transferrable, and there are hopes that more providers in-turn follow suit. Finally, traditional prepayment meter customers will see their money sent in six separate vouchers via text, email or post.
These can be redeemed by topping up as normal in a shop or post office, with each voucher being valid for three months. If they are lost or become expired - they can only be reissued up until March 31, 2023.
MSE also reached out to the ten leading providers to find out exactly how they will be paying the grant to customers. You can check this in the table below:
| Supplier | Monthly direct debit | Standard credit | Smart prepayment meter | Traditional prepayment meter |
| British Gas |
Credited to your bank account | Awaiting response | Awaiting response | Awaiting response |
| Bulb |
Direct debit reduction | Credited to your energy account |
Credited to electricity account - though plans to allow users to switch it to gas accounts | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
| E.on/E.on Next |
Direct debit reduction | Awaiting response | Credited to gas and electricity accounts (split evenly) | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
| EDF Energy |
Credited to your bank account | Awaiting response | Awaiting response | Awaiting response |
| Octopus Energy | Plans to confirm in September | Plans to confirm in September | Plans to confirm in September | Plans to confirm in September |
| Ovo Energy |
Credited to your bank account | Credited to your energy account | Credited to electricity account | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
| Shell Energy |
Direct debit reduction | Awaiting response | Credited to gas and electricity accounts (split evenly) | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
| So Energy |
Direct debit reduction | Awaiting response | Credited to electricity account | N/A |
| SSE |
Credited to your bank account | Credited to your energy account | Credited to electricity account | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
| Utility Warehouse | Direct debit reduction | Credited to your energy account | Credited to electricity account | Voucher to be used on gas or electricity |
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