Caithness residents urged not to miss out on prepayment meter fuel vouchers
Caithness consumers with prepayment gas and electricity meters have been reminded to redeem energy rebate vouchers as the first expiry dates loom.
Advice Direct Scotland (ADS), which runs the national energy advice service energyadvice.scot, urged households to take action if they have not received their vouchers.
The charity received more than 1000 enquiries directly related to the UK Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme in the final quarter of 2022.
Most households will have £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments across the winter, or will have the money added to their accounts. However, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount.
Vouchers worth £66 were sent out by post to 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. Households with smart prepayment meters will be credited directly in the first week of each month. The prepayment vouchers are only valid for 90 days - meaning those issued in October are due to expire.
Energy suppliers can reissue lost or expired vouchers – up until the scheme closing date of June 30, 2023.
ADS wants to make sure that households do not miss out by:
- Checking unopened mail, in case the vouchers have been missed
- Checking with energy suppliers, using contact details found on bills, statements, and official websites
- Contacting energyadvice.scot if there are any difficulties getting through to suppliers or resolving issues
The team can be contacted on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.energyadvice.scot.
More information on the Support Scheme can be found at: consumeradvice.scot/the-energy-bills-support-scheme-ebss-your-questions-answered/
Colin Mathieson, spokesperson for ADS, said: “With the recent rise in energy prices, and more on the horizon, it is vital households get the support they’re entitled to.
“Energy companies should reissue vouchers that haven’t been received and check customers are getting support in the most suitable format – be it text, post or email.
“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. If haven’t received your vouchers, you should get in touch with your energy supplier or ADS advisers.
“If you aren’t sure if your supplier has your correct contact details, get in touch with them and check, otherwise they won’t be able to tell you how to access the payment.
“Right now, we have qualified advisers ready to provide free, practical support to anyone in Scotland through the energyadvice.scot service – and we can also help any customers having difficulties reaching their supplier.”