A desperate Lanarkshire was left without heating and lighting while waiting for overdue energy support grants.
Sean Quinn expected to have received UK Government vouchers worth £199 to help him with the soaring cost of fuel bills, but he says he is still owed the last three monthly payments.
The 54-year-old retail worker says he has spent hours trying to get through to Scottish Power to sort the problem, but to no avail, the Daily Record reports.
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He has had to borrow money to help pay bills, and claims he's constantly being fobbed off when he tries to find out what has happened to his vouchers.
Sean, who lives in Motherwell had no heating or power at all after a pay blunder at work meant he was unable to top up his pre-paid meter.
Sean told the Record: "I have really needed the support grant, especially when my electricity got cut off in the cold weather.
"I've been left waiting three months and haven't received a single payment from Scottish Power. It's unacceptable. How can they get away with this?
"I've called them countless times to try to get some emergency assistance but you can't even get through to the line.
"The online messaging service just says the vouchers are 'being processed'.
"I was on hold for well over an hour multiple times before I gave up. I ended up having to go and borrow some money. It's total incompetency."
The UK Government announced in July that households would start receiving £400 off their energy bills from October, with the discount made in six instalments to help families throughout the winter period.
Traditional prepayment meter customers are provided with Energy Bill discount vouchers from the first week of each month, issued via SMS text, email or post, using the customer's registered contact details.
Sean added: "Scottish Power have been entrusted to administer these grants by the Government at a time when people really need the help and they're just not doing it."
After being contacted by the Record, a spokesperson for Scottish Power said: "We are sorry to hear about the issues Mr Quinn has experienced. We are investigating and will work to resolve the situation as quickly as possible."
A UK Government spokesperson also said: "The UK Government has stringent compliance and enforcement measures in place with all suppliers for the Energy Bills Support Scheme, and we require them to report to us on a monthly basis on their delivery.
"Suppliers are also held to account by the energy regulator Ofgem on all matters relating to their business and service to customers. BEIS has contacted Scottish Power regarding this particular complaint."
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