Up to 30% of householders with older, non-digital pre-payment meters in Renfrewshire may be missing out on vital energy payment support.
Households with a domestic electricity account using an older prepayment meter received a non-repayable grant of £400 between October 2022 and March 2023.
This was paid in six instalments via energy support vouchers, the first two – worth £66 each – were made in October and November and another four – worth £67 each – were made between December and March. These vouchers expire on 30th June 2023.
However, official statistics have revealed that in Renfrewshire around 30% of these vouchers have not been redeemed, amounting to a total cost of £694,320.00.
It is important that anyone in this position redeems their vouchers before the expiry date of the 30th June 2023.
By default, vouchers issued under the scheme are valid for 90 days. Expired vouchers can be reissued, though you’ll need to contact your supplier to arrange this. However, bear in mind that reissued vouchers may not be valid for a full 90 days. That’s because all vouchers, regardless of when they were issued, have to expire by 11.59pm on 30 June 2023 – as that’s when the scheme officially ends.
The UK Government has ordered energy suppliers to return any unused funds immediately after the end of the scheme – so it’s vital to redeem any vouchers before the 30th June deadline to ensure you don’t miss out.
Natalie Don, MSP for Renfrewshire North, told Renfrewshire News: “This is urgent for those who have yet to use their energy support vouchers, you only have until 30th June 2023 to redeem your vouchers, if you don’t act you will lose out on this vital support
“It’s urgent to make sure you have redeemed any energy support vouchers you have received before the expiry date of 30th June 2023, it’s a case of use it or lose it. This could cost Renfrewshire households almost £700,000 in missed payments, vital support during this Tory created cost of living crisis.
“If you have a non-smart (traditional) prepayment meter, you need to actively redeem the vouchers you’ve been sent. Once you’ve got a voucher from your energy supplier, you need to take it to a Post Office or PayPoint shop to add it to your gas or electricity top-up key or card.
“If you haven’t received all your vouchers, or if you did but have since lost them or they have expired, contact your energy supplier and they should be able to resend it.
“Don’t wait until it’s too late. This is funding that could make a significant difference to the households who should have received these vouchers.”
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