Martin Whitfield MSP is urging households with prepayment meters in South Scotland to ensure they do not miss out on the help available through the UK Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme.

The call follows concerns that many households on traditional prepayment meters have not yet redeemed the discount being delivered under the scheme. For all households which are direct customers of an electricity supplier this is being provided in monthly instalments from October 2022 to March 2023.

Traditional prepayment meter customers are being sent vouchers each month by their supplier. The value was £66 in each of October and November, and £67 from November to March, a total of £400. Vouchers expire after 90 days but the customer can ask their supplier to reissue them if lost, not received or expired, and all vouchers must be redeemed by 30 June 2023.

The supplier sends information with each voucher advising whether they should be taken to a Post Office or PayPoint.

Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said: 

“Households on prepayment meters are very often among those facing the greatest financial pressures, so it is crucial that they get the full support available through the energy bills scheme.

“Many vouchers have not yet been redeemed, so I’m joining others in reminding anyone with a traditional prepayment meter to ensure that they make use of their vouchers before they expire.

“This is money households are owed by government, so it’s important nobody misses out on the £400 they’re due this winter.”

Anyone with a prepayment meter who is uncertain about how they can benefit from the energy bills discount or needs support with redeeming their vouchers should contact their local CAB or Citizens Advice Scotland.