Financial pickle. What will happen now?

[IDontHaveAGoodUsername]

We’re a low income family due to limited earning potential from a disability and caring need. We are scraping by until next month when financially things should be less tight. Every penny is accounted for.

We have a small debt on our energy account (£300); this would have been reduced to £100 when todays payment was debited.

Except it now wasn’t debited because yesterday, DH’s car broke down and he had to pay to get it fixed urgently for work today . If he doesn’t go to work , he doesn’t get paid and he needs the car.

I’ve had to cancel the energy direct debit today to stop it being reversed and us being charged by both the bank and the energy provider.

I now won’t be able to afford to pay it until early next month (around 3 weeks). I wanted to clear the debt and pay monthly anyway as I want more control over our monthly payments.

I’ve tried to get through to our supplier but was on hold too long. What is likely to happen now? Will I be billed within the next 7 days with 14 days to pay it?

We don’t have access to credit cards or savings .

Does you energy supplier do webchat? Sometimes it's easier to get through on that than it is on the phone. Or ask on Twitter (you can ask a general question and then direct message more specific details).

I know you're paying your energy debt monthly, but what about paying for your current usage - are you on a prepayment meter?

We are paying usage and a repayment plan for the debit monthly so I would continue to pay that. I’m worried what will happen when the payment does not get taken .

I don't know if anyone can say what will happen - you need to contact them, and I know you tried to do that today. Presumably, you're a priority customer with caring and disability needs, so that may affect the course of action they take. But somehow, get in touch with them quickly - that way, you'll reduce the possibility of extra charges. And you'll be able to stop wondering and worrying - it may be easier to get through now if their lines are still open?

You must, must, must talk to the supplier. I know you've tried, but try again, maybe first thing in the morning when the lines open.
They'll be understanding, and will work out a payment solution with you, but you must talk to them.
Email them too, so at least it's in writing that you tried to tell them.

When I’ve done this I’ve received a letter to say they will try the DD again on x date (usually a few weeks after the original date) then I go in as soon as I can and redo the DD

Try Twitter, it really is the best method for talking to someone.

DH cancelled the direct debit so we wouldn’t get charged; they won’t be able to request it again in a few weeks.

Would I be able to re set it back up and pay that way? I will contact them again tomorrow.

If your direct debit is cancelled I don't see what the issue is. You will pay in a few weeks time, by then I doubt they will have even got around to contacting you about it. They cant disconnect without trying to talk to you and offering repayment plans, and there are no fees or fines. Personally I wouldn't worry about it.

Honestly, try not to worry. We are all having to make difficult choices at the moment
Contact them and explain. They just want the money at the end of the day. Any payment plan is better than none
Be honest & don't be persuaded to stretch yourself to pay it off earlier

Definitely keep trying to contact them until you get through. They are unlikely to do anything quickly apart from a letter. My dp didn’t pay his gas bill for 6 months and they didn’t even send a letter. It was incompetence on his part.
Have you checked if you are eligible for any extra money/grants for energy or anything else?
If you have a community fridge in your area get yourself along every week because you’ll save a fortune in food, I go weekly.