Friendly credit

What is friendly credit?

We know that running out of credit at an awkward time, like late in the evening, at the weekend or on a bank holiday, can be stressful. Friendly credit keeps your electricity on during these times, even if you’ve run out, giving you time to top up without losing supply.

When does friendly credit apply?

Friendly credit is added automatically. When it applies depends on when your credit runs out:

• Weekdays (Monday to Thursday): if your credit runs out after 4pm in winter or 5pm in summer, your supply stays on until 8am (winter) or 9am (summer) the next morning.

• Weekends: if your credit runs out after 4pm (winter) or 5pm (summer) on a Friday, your supply stays on until 8am (winter) or 9am (summer) on the Monday.

• Bank holidays: your supply stays on until 8am (winter) or 9am (summer) the next working day.

Friendly credit currently covers these bank holidays: 1 January, 17 March, 12 July and 25 December.

What happens when friendly credit ends?

If you have not topped up by the time friendly credit ends, your supply will go off. To keep your electricity on, top up before the friendly credit period finishes.

How do I pay back friendly credit?

The electricity you use during friendly credit is paid back automatically from your next top-up, along with any emergency credit you have used.

Why did I receive less credit than I topped up?

When you top up, part of your payment can go towards other things before the rest is added as credit. This can include:

• repaying any emergency credit you have used (20% of the top-up)

• repaying electricity used during friendly credit

• your standing charge

• any agreed debt repayment

You can check your meter display to see how your top-up was shared out. If a deduction looks wrong, contact us and we will help.