The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that energy suppliers can resume requesting new deductions or increases to existing deductions for Fuel Direct ongoing consumption payments, however, they must have the claimant’s consent before any changes can be made. For new requests, suppliers must also get a claimant’s consent before the request can be sent to the DWP.
If you owe money such as a court fine, rent, Council Tax or energy payments, money might be taken directly out of your benefits payments to pay the debt. This is sometimes called ‘third party deductions’ or, for gas and electricity payments, Fuel Direct.How deductions are made to pay your debts Organisations you owe money to can ask for deductions to be made from your benefits to pay the debt.
Paying gas and electricity bills Contact your supplier to set up deductions for your ongoing bills. They will need your consent to request this for you - you can give consent on the phone, it does not need to be in writing.You can stop deductions for ongoing bills at any time. Contact the office that pays your benefit to request this. If you choose to stop making gas and electricity payments, contact your energy supplier to arrange a different way to pay.