The UK Government is urging households on traditional prepayment meters to redeem their Energy Bill Support Scheme (EBSS) vouchers, as new data reveals that £160 million in crucial financial support remains unclaimed. So far, some £620 million has been redeemed under the discount scheme which provided a £66 or £67 monthly discount on energy bills between October 2022 and March 2023.
New figures published today show that more than £780 million in EBSS vouchers have been sent to households, with nearly 80 per cent redeemed by customers. These vouchers allow eligible customers, often in low-income homes, to access vital discounts of up to £400 on their energy costs, which Direct Debit customers will have automatically received this winter.
Consumer Energy Minister Amanda Solloway has urged anyone who has not yet redeemed their prepayment meter vouchers to do so now, with the scheme remaining open until June 30, 2023. Customers can redeem the 2.4 million outstanding vouchers at their local Post Office or PayPoint.
The EBSS, together with the cap on energy prices, saw the UK Government cover half of a typical household energy bill over the winter - driving forward its priority to halve inflation. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed that Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation fell to 10.1 per cent in March from 10.4 per cent in February.
Last month the UK Government also announced an extension to the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee, meaning by the end of June a typical household will have saved £1,500 on their energy bill - while wholesale prices continue to fall.
Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway said: “Putin’s illegal war on Ukraine had a massive impact on global energy prices and with it, people’s bills.
“The government stepped in to provide vital support to households across the country, with £780 million in support delivered to prepayment meter customers. But there’s still £160 million of that yet to claim which will make a huge difference.
“Even as the warmer weather sets in I urge anyone on a traditional prepayment meter to act now if they haven’t redeemed their voucher.”
Nick Read, Chief Executive of the Post Office said: “Claiming your voucher at the Post Office is really simple, just bring your voucher, your energy pre-payment key or card and the ID specified in your voucher letter and we will redeem the voucher for you at the counter.
“It's important to check any post you have at home to ensure you haven't missed any vouchers. They are valid for three months but if you have expired vouchers you should contact your electricity supplier and ask for a new one to be sent out."
Under the EBSS, more than £11.4 billion went to 28 million households across the UK to keep costs down over the winter - the equivalent of £500,000 a day.
Households who do not have a direct relationship with an energy supplier or use alternative fuels - such as heating oil, LPG and biomass - to heat their homes are also being urged to take full advantage of government support, as a number of schemes close on May 31, 2023 meaning from Monday they’ll have just a month to claim.
Energy bill help still available to claim
Customers in these households can apply for:
- Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding - provides equivalent £400 payments to households who do not have a domestic electricity supply and were not eligible to receive the EBSS automatically. Eligible applicants include partially or wholly self-funded care homes residents and residents of park homes. These households must apply either via GOV.UK or the contact centre helpline by 31 May 2023.
- Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Funding - supports households that use fuels such as heating oil, LPG and biomass as their main heating source but did not automatically receive £200 of support from an electricity supplier. Eligible applicants must apply via GOV.UK or the contact centre helpline by 31 May 2023.
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