Millions of energy support vouchers remain unclaimed despite June cut-off

Around £160million worth of energy support vouchers have yet to be used by households on traditional prepayment meters, the Government has warned.

There are 2.4million vouchers still yet to be redeemed by those on traditional prepayment meters, and households are being urged by the Government to redeem them.

All vouchers expire 90 days after issue, after which point they will need to be re-sent. For example, January’s vouchers would have expired earlier in April.

More than £780million in support scheme money has been delivered to customers on traditional prepayment meters, with nearly 80 per cent redeemed, new figures show.

The vouchers offer discounts of up to £400 on energy costs – sent in £66 and £67 monthly payments, between October and March.

Direct debit customers will have automatically received these this winter. Customers with a smart prepayment meter should receive their discount automatically to their machine within the first five working days of each month.

But those with traditional prepayment meters receive vouchers via text message, email or post by the 11th day of each month, according to industry regulator Ofgem. 

Outstanding vouchers can be redeemed at customers’ local Post Office or PayPoint. The scheme ends on 30 June 2023.

Consumer Energy Minister Amanda Solloway has urged anyone who has not yet redeemed their prepayment meter vouchers to do.

Off-grid gas customers who use alternative fuels are also being urged to take full advantage of government support, as a number of schemes close on 31 May, meaning from Monday they’ll have just a month to claim.

Simon Francis, co-ordinator of the End Fuel Poverty Coalition advises that ‘Everyone should check that they have had the full value of the Energy Bills Support Scheme that they are owed.’

‘If people suspect they have not had a payment – or if they may have misplaced their voucher – they should contact their energy firm immediately and check. 

‘Payments can still be made and vouchers reissued so it is not too late’, he continues. 

What to do if you have a voucher to redeem

To claim the value of the voucher at the Post Office, customers need to bring their voucher, energy pre-payment key or card and the ID specified in their voucher letters. The Post Office will then redeem the voucher at the counter.

Nick Read, chief executive of the Post Office, said: ‘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.’