Scottish households with non-smart prepayment meters are being urged an important reminder as the nights get colder.
Experts are warning bill payers to redeem their vouchers before they run out. This comes as millions of households have received a discount on there energy bill through the UK Government's Energy Bill Support Scheme.
Almost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity, but figures from Ofgem suggests this is on the rise. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer and energy advice services consumeradvice.scot and energyadvice.scot, said it was vital householders check they are receiving support and use the voucher.
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With this, PayPoint have recently released figures that suggests that thousands of people have not redeemed their vouchers, according to a BBC report. These vouchers are only valid for 90 days and so Advice Direct Scotland are urging people to redeem them before they miss out.
The company said it expected to see 800,000 vouchers in October, worth £52.8m, but only £27m has been claimed
Vouchers worth £66 were sent out by post to prepayment meter customers from the start of October, as the first instalment of the Support Scheme. Some consumers may have received an SMS text or email, depending on their supplier.
While those who pay via Direct Debit will have the money automatically taken off, households with smart prepayment meters will be credited directly in the first week of each month.
The prepayment vouchers should arrive before the end of each month, but they are only valid for 90 days, with several suppliers stipulating they be redeemed at Post Offices while some can be used at other locations such as PayPoint shops.
Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “With the recent rise in energy prices, and more on the horizon, we know that many households are facing financial difficulties.
“Suppliers may transfer customers to prepayment meters for several reasons, including issues with energy debt, with repayments being taken from arrears every time the customer tops up their meter.
“Prepayment customers are often faced with self-disconnection when they can’t afford to top-up.
“Even in instances when they can top-up, this can cause severe financial hardship as they limit spending in other areas to do so, such as heating instead of eating.
“We would urge any households in Scotland who have a prepayment meter to check whether they have been sent a voucher and use it, and also to keep an eye out for the following vouchers when they arrive.
“Consumers should already have received their vouchers for October, if they have not, they should contact their supplier or Advice Direct Scotland’s advisers.
“We have a wide range of services available to everyone in Scotland, at no cost, regardless of personal circumstance.”
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