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Original poster

Direct debit question - Gas

11 replies

cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:22

Hello all,

Maybe a stupid question but have never been in this position and cant find an answer online.

My direct debit is set to £50 per month for gas as its all that I can find manageable atm. I am currently in credit but recent useage will eat this up fast and i will receive a bill 23rd december letting me know of any additional i owe.

Does this come out automatically? Or do i have to approve/confirm the payment on the phone / online with British gas? Will my £50 come out and then i just call and pay whats on top?

Thanks if anyone does know!

OP posts:
Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:25

I just dont want a huge amount taken from me 2 days before christmas! Id rather set up a payment plan if that possible. I will try and keep calling but recently as soon as ive done the school run and get into good signal range, im looking at a 4 hour wait and no online chat available

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BMW6 · 11/12/2022 22:25

I think it is taken automatically (that's what a DD is all about surely?)

When actual meter readings are submitted the gas company will reassess how much future DD needs to be to recover the shortfall and cover future useage

Downthestais · 11/12/2022 22:26

Yes your usual direct debit of £50 will go out as usual then if you’ve used more than your credit, you’ll have a debit balance and can call to pay it or do it online to suit you.

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Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:28

Its capped at £50 and has been for 3 months so wondered if ill just be charged that and have to make additional calls to pay the outstanding, or the whole thing will be taken without a chance to arrange my money or payment plan, thats all 😭 thank you

OP posts:
Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:28

Downthestais · 11/12/2022 22:26

Yes your usual direct debit of £50 will go out as usual then if you’ve used more than your credit, you’ll have a debit balance and can call to pay it or do it online to suit you.

Thank you! I hope this is the case!

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Precipice · 11/12/2022 22:29

Your direct debit will come out of your bank account automatically. The DD is basically an instruction to your bank to pay another account an accepted amount at accepted recurring times.

When you are billed based on your usage, your account with the energy company will have a new total. If it is say -32 pounds, you will owe your provider 32 pounds. Your energy provider cannot take money out of your bank account without authorisation. This is money that you will have to pay either separately or as an increase in future DD.

If your DD is 50, that is all that can come out of your bank account currently. If you go into debt with the energy provider, they will contact you that they will be raising your DD and you will have to either accept that or come to another arrangement with them (paying some of it off directly rather than it affecting DD, negotiating rates of DD down, variable direct debit on presentation of bill, etc.)

JoyeuxNarwhal · 11/12/2022 22:32

Under the DD guarantee they can't change your payment without notice (think something like 10 days/fortnight?) so if you haven't heard anything by now I imagine it won't change this month.

Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:32

Precipice · 11/12/2022 22:29

Your direct debit will come out of your bank account automatically. The DD is basically an instruction to your bank to pay another account an accepted amount at accepted recurring times.

When you are billed based on your usage, your account with the energy company will have a new total. If it is say -32 pounds, you will owe your provider 32 pounds. Your energy provider cannot take money out of your bank account without authorisation. This is money that you will have to pay either separately or as an increase in future DD.

If your DD is 50, that is all that can come out of your bank account currently. If you go into debt with the energy provider, they will contact you that they will be raising your DD and you will have to either accept that or come to another arrangement with them (paying some of it off directly rather than it affecting DD, negotiating rates of DD down, variable direct debit on presentation of bill, etc.)

Thank you for explaining it so well. The discussion with them was a while ago but I remember them saying the extra useage would be calculated and sent to me on the 23rd December, was unsure whether it meant it would be automatically taken from my bank aswell. Thank you again, much appreciated 🌸

OP posts:
Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:33

JoyeuxNarwhal · 11/12/2022 22:32

Under the DD guarantee they can't change your payment without notice (think something like 10 days/fortnight?) so if you haven't heard anything by now I imagine it won't change this month.

Thank you! I thought this but these days I dont know what these companies will or wont do anymore!

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RoseMartha · 11/12/2022 22:39

I have a-fixed rate
If I have a bill and my usage has set me in debt, I can send them a one off payment to clear all or it or some of it. I have only had to do this once, dreading
the fact I might have to do this again
in feb.

Hope that helps.

Original poster
cutiemcsweetie · 11/12/2022 22:45

RoseMartha · 11/12/2022 22:39

I have a-fixed rate
If I have a bill and my usage has set me in debt, I can send them a one off payment to clear all or it or some of it. I have only had to do this once, dreading
the fact I might have to do this again
in feb.

Hope that helps.

Thats the one. I used to be on variable going by meter readings and I still send them weekly online, the last few I can see are over the DD amount which are all going to be bundled up and waiting for me! Happy that it wont be taken automatically and Ill get a chance to call them beforehand.. if i can get through! Dreading it too 😭😭🥺 thanks for your help x

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