Scottish households with prepayment gas and electricity meters have been issued an important reminder as winter creeps closer.
Energy customers are being urged to ensure they redeem vouchers sent through the UK Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme before they run out. This comes as PayPoint released a report claiming that thousands of vouchers have not been used.
According to a report by the BBC, the company said it expected to see 800,000 vouchers in October, worth £52.8m, but only £27m has been claimed.
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Vouchers worth £66 were sent out by post to non-smart 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.
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.
Following reports that only around a third of the expected number of vouchers have been cashed across the UK so far, Advice Direct Scotland wants to make sure that households do not miss out.
Most households will have £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments across the winter. However, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount.
Payments of £67 in December, January, February and March will follow the £66 payments for October and November. Households with smart prepayment meters will be credited directly in the first week of each month.
Almost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity. But recent figures from energy regulator Ofgem suggests this is on the rise.
The charity also encouraged households to check their benefits entitlement, through its calculator at www.advice.scot, to ensure they are not missing out on key support. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national consumer and energy advice services consumeradvice.scot and energyadvice.scot, said it was vital householders check what they are entitled to.
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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