Millions of energy support vouchers remain unclaimed despite June cut-off
One in five energy support vouchers worth £160m has yet to be claimed by households with prepayment meters, with the scheme set to expire in June
- Millions of pounds remain unclaimed by prepayment meter customers
- These can be redeemed at local post offices or PayPoint terminals
- The Energy Account Support Scheme will remain open until 30 June
Around £160 million in energy support vouchers have yet to be used by households on traditional prepayment meters, the government has warned.
There are still 2.4 million vouchers yet to be redeemed by those on traditional prepayment meters, and households are being urged by the government to redeem them.
All vouchers expire 90 days after issue, after which they must be sent again. For example, the January coupons would have expired earlier in April.
More than £780 million in support schemes have been delivered to customers through traditional prepayment meters, with nearly 80 per cent redeemed, new figures show.
Voucher alert: One in five energy aid vouchers have not been redeemed by those with traditional prepayment meters
The vouchers offer discounts of up to £400 on energy costs – sent in monthly payments of £66 and £67, between October and March.
Collection customers received this automatically this winter. Customers with a smart prepayment meter should receive their discount automatically on their machine within the first five working days of each month.
But those with traditional prepayment meters receive vouchers via text, email or post on the 11th day of each month, according to industry regulator Ofgem.
Outstanding vouchers can be redeemed at the customer’s local post office or PayPoint. The scheme ends on 30 June 2023.
Consumer Energy Minister Amanda Solloway has urged anyone who has not yet redeemed their prepayment meter vouchers to do so.
Off-grid gas customers using alternative fuels are also being urged to take full advantage of government support, as a number of schemes expire on May 31, meaning they have just a month from Monday to claim.
Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition advises: ‘Everyone should check that they have received the full value of the Energy Bills Support Scheme they owe.’
“If people suspect they haven’t had payment — or maybe they’ve lost their voucher — they should contact their energy company immediately to check.
“Payments can still be made and vouchers reissued, so it’s not too late,” he continues.
What to do if you have a voucher to redeem
To claim the value of the voucher at the post office, customers must bring their voucher, energy prepayment key or card and the ID provided in their voucher letters. The Post Office will then exchange the voucher at the counter.
Nick Read, post office general manager, said: ‘It’s important to check any mail you have at home to make sure you haven’t missed any vouchers.’
“They are valid for three months, but if you have any expired vouchers you should contact your electricity supplier and ask for a new one.”