1.9million prepayment meter energy vouchers haven’t been claimed
According to government data, 1.9million vouchers for homes with traditional prepayment meters haven’t been claimed.
The monthly vouchers are worth either £66 or £67 each, worth a total of £400 if all six are used.
The vouchers are part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme, and the payments are automatic.
Every household on the electricity network should have received £66 in October and November, and £67 per month from December through till March 2023.
People paying by direct debit, standard credit, and those using smart prepayment meters get the discount automatically. Customers using traditional prepayment meters are sent vouchers via email, text or post, which are redeemed when topping up.
Which? director of policy and advocacy, Rocio Concha, said: “The sad reality is that we’re still seeing far too many vouchers not being redeemed.
“This recent increase in take up, while welcome, is only slightly up from where we were in January, when 29% of vouchers still hadn’t been claimed.
“As an urgent priority, the government, local authorities and energy suppliers must continue to work together to share best practice and improve the scheme to ensure that all customers on these prepayment meters – who are more likely to be vulnerable and on lower incomes – are able to access this vital support without further delay.
“Traditional prepayment meter customers should also be prioritised in smart meter roll-outs where appropriate, so that financial support can be delivered automatically in future.
“If you’re on a traditional prepayment meter and haven’t received your vouchers, or are unsure of how to redeem them, you should get in touch with your supplier for more information and to make sure they have the correct contact details for you.”
