Have a prepayment energy meter? Have you claimed the £400 you're entitled to?

Families with prepayment meters are being urged to cash in their energy vouchers before the end of June, with the government saying that £130m is still to be used.

The vouchers, provided under the Energy Bills Support Scheme announced last year, offer £400 of energy support to help with the soaring cost of gas and electricity bills.

While four in five vouchers have been used, the government, charities, consumer groups and energy suppliers, have issued a combined call for those eligible to claim the help they’re entitled to before the vouchers expire next month.

Most homes in England pay their energy bills by Direct Debit and, for the six months since October 2022, have seen about £66 a month knocked off their bills or credited to their account automatically.

However, the system isn’t as straightforward if you’re one of the two million households who pay for gas and electricity through a prepayment meter.

These households have received six vouchers – each worth £66 or £67 – through the post or by email. To be credited to a meter, the vouchers need to be taken to a local PayPoint store or Post Office.

Given many households with prepayment meters are among the most vulnerable in the country, there’s a real concern that the people who need the support the most are missing out.

If you feel you’re entitled to these vouchers but have not received them – perhaps because of an incorrect address, or they have been lost or delayed – they can be reissued, but they need to be redeemed by 30 June. If you feel this has happened to you, you should get in touch with your supplier as soon as possible for more information.