Over £100 million worth of energy bill support is yet to be claimed as the deadline rapidly approaches.
The Energy Bill Support Scheme offered vouchers to billpayers using non-smart prepayment meters between October 2022 and March 2023. The vouchers can provide up to £400 worth of discounts for energy bills.
While people using smart meters or paying via direct debit received their discount automatically via six instalments of £66/67 throughout the winter, traditional prepayment meter users received vouchers via text, email or post. These vouchers could then be redeemed at their usual top-up shop.
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Those who are yet to claim their vouchers are being urged to do so as soon as possible as once we get past the end of the month, they can no longer be claimed. NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: “As energy bills have spiralled, National Energy Action knows how crucial the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme has been.
"The £400, paid in six instalments of £66 or £67, has helped many people this winter. But prepayment customers – often some of the most vulnerable – were paid in vouchers and millions remains unclaimed.
"Some customers didn’t receive them, others struggled to redeem them. We urge anyone who hasn’t yet claimed their vouchers to do so before the June 30 deadline and, if you have friends and family that may not have used their vouchers, spread the word.
“It may be the support that keeps their lights on, their oven cooking, their hot showers running, through the summer. It’s vital money at a time when it’s never been needed more.”
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Simon Francis, coordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition, said: “Far too often support payments under this scheme have not found their way to vulnerable households. There is now less than a week to go before this support will be lost to households forever.
“If anyone feels they have missed out on Energy Bills Support Scheme payments they should contact their energy firm immediately.”
