Caithness residents urged to urged to redeem unused energy bill support vouchers – 280K still unclaimed
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Almost a quarter of Scottish households with prepayment meters have not redeemed all of their energy rebate vouchers.
More than 1.1 million vouchers were issued in Scotland under the UK Government’s energy bill support scheme between October last year and March. But more than 280,000 (24 per cent) have not been redeemed, latest statistics show.
The figures come as households are reminded to make sure they have cashed in all their energy vouchers before they expire on June 30.
The Government has said that while over four in five vouchers have been used across the UK, £130 million is still available in a final push to encourage households to claim the support.
Advice Direct Scotland (ADS), the national energy advice service for Scotland, has urged those eligible to claim the help they are entitled to. Almost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity.
Most households had £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments, or had the money added to their accounts. However, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers, worth either £66 or £67, to get the discount.
If a voucher does expire, customers can ask for it to be reissued. Suppliers should contact consumers if vouchers are not redeemed.
ADS, wants to make sure that households do not miss out and has urged Scots to:
- Check unopened mail and junk email, in case the vouchers have been missed.
- Contact energy suppliers, using details found on bills, statements, and official websites.
- Contact 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.
Households self-rationing energy due to the cost-of-living crisis can seek support from homeheatingadvice.scot.
Sulaimon Olafare, head of marketing and media with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “With energy prices still incredibly high, it’s vital that households get all the support they’re entitled to."
