THOUSANDS of households have just days left to claim £66 energy support vouchers from a £17million pot.
The Post Office has urged households on prepayment energy meters to ensure they have access to all the government support available to them.
Thousands of customers on traditional prepayment meters need to act
Millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales are entitled to a £400 energy discount paid over six months.
The free cash is paid in instalments worth £66 in October and November and £67 between December and March 2023.
But the way in which the discount is paid will depend on the type of energy meter that you are on.
Those on older, traditional prepayment meters can’t get the discount directly and have to redeem vouchers at their local top-up point.
Customers have three months to redeem the value of these vouchers before they expire.
Post Office branches have already processed nearly three million of these vouchers.
All prepayment meter customers of British Gas, EDF, E.ON, E.ON Next, Good Energy and Bulb should have received a voucher through the post or via email which can be redeemed at any Post Office branch.
But £17million worth of this cash support remains unclaimed from October’s voucher worth £66.
Customers must redeem their October vouchers before the deadline on Saturday, January 14.
Customers are being urged to check the date on their voucher, as they are valid for 90 days from issue, meaning that in some cases vouchers will have already expired or are about to.
In total, £64million worth of these energy bill discount vouchers are yet to be redeemed through the Post Office.
To activate the support, customers just need to bring their voucher, their top-up key or card and proof of address with them to any Post Office branch to redeem the cash.
How will my traditional prepayment meter be credited?
If you’re on a traditional prepayment meter, you’ll be given a redeemable energy bill discount voucher or special action message (SAMs) in the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post.
Customers will then need to redeem these at their usual top-up point.
Customers of Bulb, E.ON and E.ON Next, EDF, Octopus, Ovo (and SSE), Scottish Power, Shell Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse can choose for their voucher to be redeemed on either their gas or electricity meter.
However, British Gas customers will only be able to redeem their vouchers on their electricity meters.
What if I have separate gas and electricity suppliers?
If you have a gas prepayment meter and a standard credit electricity meter or vice versa, only one of your energy suppliers will provide the £400 energy bills discount.
Your electricity supplier will be the one to pay you the discount and if you are on a standard electricity meter and pay by direct debit, we have listed how you’ll receive the £400.
What other help is available?
As part of the Autumn Statement, it was revealed millions on benefits and Universal Credit will receive an extra one-off £900.
Eight million households have already received cost-of-living payments worth up to £650.
Pensioners have also started getting a £300 one-off payment.
The current pensioner cost of living payment is being handed out to millions on a low income.
You qualify under the current rules if you normally get the winter fuel payment, but this could change under the new rules.
The £300 cost of living payment is paid on top of the other winter support.
Struggling families are eligible for the Warm House Discount to help them tackle the cost of living.
There are also plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling:
- British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Family Fund
- British Gas Energy Trust
- EDF Customer Support Fund
- E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- OVO Energy
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment meter.
