Energy giants British Gas, EDF, EOn, Octopus, and others have been told to fork out £30 to customers for a blunder following a new Ofgem mandate.

Every energy firm – including the major companies – is informing customers how they can claim a £30 windfall should the company violete a new rule that came into force this April.

The energy regulator Ofgem, which sets the price cap that energy firms should not exceed on variable tariffs, has introduced a new regulation from April 1. This means customers could pocket £30 in compensation if the rule is breached.

As savvy consumers know, you’re free to switch your energy provider whenever you want, with your new supplier taking over the transfer from your old one.

Sure, some fixed tariffs might hit you with an ‘exit fee’, potentially costing you up to £35 per fuel, but these don’t apply to standard variable tariffs that’s anyone not tied into a fix.

And given the recent turbulence in the energy market, most people are likely not on a fixed plan since the standard variable tariff has been the more wallet-friendly option.

Under the fresh Ofgem rules that kicked in on April 1, if your new energy provider takes more than 5 working days to take over from your old supplier, they’re obliged to cough up £30 in compensation, reports the Daily Star.

Ofgem assures customers: “You do not have to do anything. This money will be paid automatically into either your energy account or bank account.

“If your supplier does not pay you, or does not pay you the correct amount, for the problems you’ve had while switching, follow the steps on our complain about your energy supplier page.”