by The British government announced earlier this year that it will cut £400 off households’ energy bills this winter as part of efforts to combat rising bills as the cost of living crisis bites.
The policy was announced by Rishi Sunak, along with other measures, including a one-off payment of £650 for income-tested benefits to nearly eight million households during his tenure as chancellor; a one-off payment of £300 to be paid alongside winter fuel payments to more than eight million retired households; and a one-off payment of £150 for around six million people in the UK receiving certain disability benefits.
As the Tory leadership candidate vying to replace Boris Johnson this summer, Mr. Sunak promised more charity but was eventually defeated by Liz Truss, who acted quickly to freeze Ofgem’s cap at £2,500 for two years as prime minister.
It has since been reduced to six months by the new chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, taking us to April 2023, when the policy will be reviewed and new measures introduced, and Mr. Sunak has replaced Mrs Truss in Downing Street after a disastrous seven-week tenure. which could mean more direct help is on the way.
A miserable winter is still at stake for millions of households, with inflation reaching a 40-year high of 10.1 percent.
Here’s a look at how people will get the discount they were promised.
How will the 400 TL discount be paid?
With the discount in six installments, households will start to earn money from their electricity bills as of October.
Energy bills will be reduced by £66 in October and November, increasing to £67 each month from December to March 2023.
How do I get the discount?
It will be managed by energy suppliers. Those who have a home electricity meter point that pays for their electricity through standard credit, payment cards and direct debits will automatically deduct their bills.
Traditional prepaid meter customers will be given energy bill discount coupons on the first week of each month via text message, email or post using the customer’s registered contact information. These customers will need to take action to redeem them at their usual loading points such as the nearest local PayPoint or Post Office branch.
Smart prepaid meter customers will see their energy bill discount reflected directly to their smart prepaid meter during the first week of each month of delivery.
Suppliers will be expected to notify the government of their action to ensure that support is passed on to consumers, including notifying customers in writing that they have received a £400 energy bill discount and ensuring this is clearly shown on invoices or statements.
Do I need to provide my bank details?
No. It’s important to keep in mind that scammers can use this as an opportunity to strike – just as they did in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic when financial support was announced, leading to loads of fake discount emails and text messages that allegedly originated. Government agencies
The government says no household should ever be asked for bank information at any point. Ministers urge consumers to be alert to possible scams and report them to the authorities.
For example, fraudulent texts can be reported to 7726 and Ofcom has information on how to do this.
Will I have to pay back the money?
No, it is non-refundable.
People struggling with energy bills should contact their suppliers. Ofgem rules mean that suppliers must offer payment plans that people can afford, and customers can request an “emergency loan” if they are using a prepaid meter and cannot top up.
You can find more information on this and the programs, grants and benefits available here.
