Do We Have To Pay Back The 400 Energy Grant?

Are you someone who is looking forward to getting a 400 energy grant? Do you wonder if you will be paid back for the energy grant? If that is the case then you have found yourself coming to the article.

Many individuals out there do not know this, but people of the United Kingdom, Wales, and Scotland are set to receive a total of £400 energy bill discounts as part of the new cost of living. If you are unsure of the details, then you have come to the right article.

Understanding the 400 grant bill scheme

If you are someone who does not know what this scheme is, then you have absolutely nothing to worry about as we are about to go over it. In simple words, every home with a domestic power connection will begin to receive the £400 government-funded Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS) in October 2022 to assist offset the rising energy costs.

The government launched the £400 program in May 2022 along with a number of other cost-of-living assistance programs for individuals who are most negatively impacted by the high expense of living, such as seniors and low-income households.

Many websites out there are already working on changing the content in case the government makes any additional announcements on the Energy Bills. If you still have many doubts and inquiries about the integrity and terms and conditions of the scheme, it is worth taking a visit and close look at https://www.utilitybidder.co.uk/.

How can one get it?

On July 29, the government released more details about the Energy utility Bills Scheme payment process. Importantly, all homes will begin to obtain a total of £400 off their energy costs starting in October 2022; you do not need to go through the hassle and problem of applying for the program. 

Each energy provider is required to directly give the £400 to only those customers who have an electricity supply; therefore, if your electricity is with us, E.ON Next will be the one to send you your payment.

You will receive your payment from your electricity provider if all you have with us is gas.  Your energy expenses will be discounted by £66 in October and November and by £67 on a monthly basis starting from the beginning of December to March 2023.

Deduction methods

If you are someone who is unsure of how the money will be received, then you have nothing to be dismayed over as the government of the United Kingdom has made multiple methods available so that you do not end up missing out on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

–       Customers with fixed direct debit will automatically have the funds deducted from their initial monthly direct debit card. 

–       Customers who pay their bills in full upon receipt and those who make regular cash payments will have the funds automatically credited to their energy accounts during the first week of the month. This will appear as a credit on their monthly statement underpayments.

–       Customers that use smart prepayment will have the funds credited as a top-up immediately to their meters in the first week of every month. 

–       Vouchers will be given to regular prepayment clients during the very first week of every month. These are probably only redeemable at the Post Office and not at all locations for top-ups.

Do I need to pay it back?

You are probably in the process of wondering whether the money given to you will need to be paid back or if it is something of a grant given to all UK residents. Well, the answer is quite a simple one, to your surprise.

You would not need to pay back the amount you receive. This is a once-in-a-time non-repayable discount provided to qualified households beginning in October to assist with energy costs. The government did initially state that the expenditures would be recovered over a number of years, but this has officially been dropped.

The £400 does not need to be returned. It is worth mentioning that since it is a free thing, you can completely trust the government and its working. Some people have doubts and questions regarding giving their personal bank account information, but it is not as daunting as it may seem.

How will EDF and shell energy pay the £400 energy grant?

If you are an EDF client who pays by Direct Debit, similar to British Gas customers, you will get the £400 award as six direct payments to your bank account over the course of six months – after you have paid their monthly Direct Debit. 

Once more, if you pay with credit, which means you receive your bill and pay it with a card, cash, or check, the discount will be deducted from your payment and automatically applied to your account during the first week of each month.

Furthermore, the six savings spread over six months will be deducted from your bill before your direct debit is deducted if you are a Shell Energy client.  

Therefore, if your Direct Debit is £120, Shell Energy will automatically subtract a total amount of £66 in October and November, followed by £67 in December, January, February, and March. As a result, your Direct Debit will be £54 in October and November and £53 from December to March.

Those Customers who pay almost everything by their credit or those who pay their bill in full with a card, cash, or check when they receive it, will easily be able to see the discount show as an extra payment on their account each month starting from the month of October ending all the way up to March, so they’ll owe less than they otherwise would – £66 the first two months and the £67 afterward. 

The takeaway

Hopefully, all your concerns and questions regarding the £400 energy grant have been answered. One point worth mentioning is that although it may seem like a risky thing, in reality, it is not the case as the government is giving out this scheme to aid all those who need it.