Are you due a cash rebate?

Energy suppliers owe 13 million households a total of £1.8bn in credit balances — with more than one million bill-payers due more than £300, according to our research.

Consumers who pay for their energy by direct debit can often find themselves in credit with their supplier as their monthly payments don’t exactly match their gas and electricity usage.

Direct debit payments generally stay the same throughout the year, but consumers should be in credit with their supplier following the summer, when they’ve used less energy, and in debt during winter when they’re turning on their heating, and lights, more often.

But coming out of winter this year, almost half of all United Kingdom households (45%) are due a refund from the energy provider, and at a time when many people’s finances are stretched any windfall would be gratefully received.

A growing credit balance can be a sign that a customer’s direct debit is too high - yet a third of those in credit say their supplier has never adjusted their payment.

It’s clear that Ofgem’s proposal to introduce automatic rebates will benefit a huge number of consumers, particularly those who do not know how much credit they have, or do not know how to obtain a refund.

Many people who have been affected financially by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic may be looking for ways to save money, and it’s worth checking with your supplier to see if you are owed any money following your most recent bill being paid.