Budget Direct Debit: five reasons why your payments can go up after a Direct Debit review

Normally, we only change your monthly payments after a Direct Debit review. And that's only if we need to get you back on track to cover your energy costs for the year.

The five common reasons why your payments can go up after a Direct Debit review are set out below. But you can also go to My Direct Debit in MyAccount to find out why your payments have gone up – look for 'Your past reviews' and 'View change'.

See other times your payments can change
 

Why your payments can go up

1. Your energy prices have gone up
   Your energy costs for the year will go up when your prices rise. To keep you on track to pay for these higher costs, we increase your monthly payments.
    
2.  You're using more energy
   Maybe you’ve got more people or extra appliances at home, or it’s been extra cold. To keep you on track to cover your higher energy use, we put your payments up.
    
3. You’ve too much debit, or too little credit on your account
   This means you’re unlikely to cover your energy costs for the year. To get you back on track, we increase your monthly payments.
    
4. We used estimated readings at your last review
   If the estimated readings were too low compared to your actual energy use, you’ll need to catch up and get back on track. So we put your payments up.
    
5. We used the wrong meter reading at your last review
   Your payment amount won’t reflect your energy use. Get in touch if the meter reading on your last bill and your current meter reading look very different.

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You'll find answers for your type of account in our help centre for account numbers that start with 'A'. 

You just need to log in or sign up to MyAccount first – this is where you'll find your help centre.

Go to help centre
 

Normally, we only change your monthly payments after a Direct Debit review. And that's only if we need to get you back on track to cover your energy costs for the year.

The five common reasons why your payments can go up after a Direct Debit review are set out below. But you can also go to My Direct Debit in MyAccount to find out why your payments have gone up – look for 'Your past reviews' and 'View change'.

See other times your payments can change
 

Why your payments can go up

1. Your energy prices have gone up
   Your energy costs for the year will go up when your prices rise. To keep you on track to pay for these higher costs, we increase your monthly payments.
    
2.  You're using more energy
   Maybe you’ve got more people or extra appliances at home, or it’s been extra cold. To keep you on track to cover your higher energy use, we put your payments up.
    
3. You’ve too much debit, or too little credit on your account
   This means you’re unlikely to cover your energy costs for the year. To get you back on track, we increase your monthly payments.
    
4. We used estimated readings at your last review
   If the estimated readings were too low compared to your actual energy use, you’ll need to catch up and get back on track. So we put your payments up.
    
5. We used the wrong meter reading at your last review
   Your payment amount won’t reflect your energy use. Get in touch if the meter reading on your last bill and your current meter reading look very different.