Full details of how millions of households will receive their £400 energy discount have finally been confirmed by the Government.
The rebate will be applied to the electricity accounts of some 29 million homes in England, Wales and Scotland from October.
But campaigners have warned that more support is needed, with analysts now predicting that the energy price cap will rise by more than expected.
Energy analysts at BFY say the price cap could hit £3,420 in October - then £3,850 when it is reviewed again in January 2023.
Cornwall Insight, another energy research specialist, has said energy bills could stay in the region of £3,500 into next year.
Martin Lewis has warned how households face being forced to choose between heating and eating this winter unless they receive immediate support.
The price cap is currently set at £1,971.
We explain five things you need to know about the £400 rebate.
You won't receive the discount in one go
The money is being issued in six instalments, starting from October 2022, instead of in one lump sum.
Households will get a discount worth £66 in October and November, rising to £67 each month from December through to March 2023.
The discount will be applied monthly regardless of whether you pay monthly, quarterly or have an associated payment card.
You might receive the money as a refund on your bill
Direct debit customers will receive the energy bill discount automatically - meaning you don't need to do anything to get the money off.
The cash will be applied either as a deduction to your monthly direct debit, or as a refund to your bank account after your direct debit has been taken.
If you don't pay by direct debit, the discount will be applied as a credit to your energy account each month.
The credit should appear as if you'd made a payment to your energy bill.
Smart prepayment meter customers will also receive the discount automatically each month.
You might need to apply for it
If you're a prepay customer, you won't get the energy discount automatically.
Prepayment meter customers will be given discount vouchers or Special Action Messages (SAMs) in the first week of each month, issued via text, email or post.
Customers will need to redeem these at their usual top-up point.
You don't need to pay the money back
The £400 discount on your energy bills doesn't need to be paid back - unlike the previous £200 scheme that it replaced.
The idea of the original £200 discount was that energy companies were to be loaned the cash by the Government.
Their customers would then have to repay the money at a rate of £40 per year over five years from 2023 to 2027, through a new levy added to energy bills.
You won't be asked for your bank details
Your energy supplier won't need to ask for your bank details to apply the discount.
Be aware as we’ve already seen scams that use cost of living support as a way to trick people into giving out personal details.
