Energy debt

[Moonsark]

Hello everyone,
sorry this might be me being a bit silly but I can’t get my head round my energy account. I’ve always been in credit but obviously due to the cost of living things have spiralled and I’m now -600. My energy provider have emailed me to suggest that I increase my payments from 180 a month to 218. I just can’t afford it at the moment - they said the lowest I can pay is £130. I was going to leave it at £180 but I’m worried that they will make me go onto a pre payment meter, or that being in debit will affect my credit rating? To be clear I’ve never missed a direct debit, and the account review email they sent was apparently because they review all accounts every 3 months, but I’m worried I’m suddenly going to get a debt collection letter or something.
thanks

Also they haven’t mentioned a pre payment meter but I googled it and apparently they can force you if your debt gets too much - but I’m not sure what is deemed as too much.

I’m in a similar position. My provider has allowed me to keep my direct debt at the same level. I told them I simply couldn’t afford anymore.

Im hoping over the summer it will chip away at the debt as my usage will be so much lower. To date they’ve never threatened me with a prepayment meter. Im not sure they’ve calculated my payments and the government grant correctly. I asked for a proper breakdown of the payments made to my account and they haven’t provided me with this yet!

The good news is that prices will reduce in July.

However you still need to deal with the debt. Have a look at moneysavingexpert.com and see if you are entitled to any help with the cost.

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/

Also have you reduced your usage where possible? MSE will also have ideas that you could try, also if there are any grants available towards energy saving measures.

Or depending on what you use now, there might be changes you can make such as using energy hungry appliances like tumble dryers, showers and ovens less.

We reduced our gas usage significantly last winter by closing our living room door. Shamefully we just used to leave it open and all the heat went out into the rest of the house. The kitchen was freezing but we probably saved hundreds of pounds doing just that one thing.