People only have four days left to claim vouchers to assist them with energy bills, the government has warned. More than £100 million of Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers are still yet to be claimed it has been revealed.
The money is aimed at people who have prepayment meters - and there were concerns that this method would lead to many of them not getting the help. Most households in England, Scotland and Wales got a £400 discount automatically removed from their power bills over a number of months in six instalments of £66/67 sent over the winter.
However, people who were still on prepayment meters have not claimed their money - and the deadline is June 30. Fuel poverty charity National Energy Action (NEA) said that, given many prepayment users are on a low income, the £400 is a lifeline, but they must redeem their vouchers by June 30 to take advantage of it. In some areas more than 40 per cent of the vouchers have not been claimed.
Consumer Energy Minister Amanda Solloway has urged anyone who has not yet redeemed their prepayment meter vouchers to do so now, with the scheme remaining open until 30 June. Customers can redeem the 2.4 million outstanding vouchers at their local Post Office or PayPoint.
Those with unclaimed vouchers are urged to contact their electricity supplier as soon as possible. NEA chief executive Adam Scorer said: “As energy bills have spiralled, National Energy Action knows how crucial the Government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme has been. The £400, paid in six instalments of £66 or £67, has helped many people this winter.
“But prepayment customers – often some of the most vulnerable – were paid in vouchers and millions remains unclaimed. Some customers didn’t receive them, others struggled to redeem them. We urge anyone who hasn’t yet claimed their vouchers to do so before the June 30 deadline and, if you have friends and family that may not have used their vouchers, spread the word.
“It may be the support that keeps their lights on, their oven cooking, their hot showers running, through the summer. It’s vital money at a time when it’s never been needed more.”
Many of the areas of lowest take-up are in London, which has 13 of the top 15 constituencies for unclaimed support.
The top 15, with the percentage of vouchers not redeemed, are:
Cities of London and Westminster – 44%
Hampstead and Kilburn – 44%
Ealing Central and Acton – 41%
Brent Central – 39%
Finchley and Golders Green – 39%
Glasgow Central – 38%
Hendon – 36%
Westminster North – 35%
Chelsea and Fulham – 35%
Hornsey and Wood Green – 35%
Brighton Pavilion – 34%
Holborn and St Pancras – 32%
Greenwich and Woolwich – 31%
Ealing North – 31%
Ilford North – 30%
London has had the lowest redemption rate for months and there were more than 650,000 vouchers unclaimed at the end of March when the scheme was supposed to have ended. NEA said the poor take-up is not because of a lack of need but because many people are not aware and the charity is urging people with friends and family who may be eligible to contact it.
Nick Read, Chief Executive of the Post Office said: "We’re urging people not to miss out on this vital support from the government before the Energy Bills Support Scheme closes at the end of June. Claiming your voucher at the Post Office is really simple, just bring your voucher, your energy pre-payment key or card and the ID specified in your voucher letter and we will redeem the voucher for you at the counter. It’s important to check any post you have at home to ensure you haven’t missed any vouchers.
"They are valid for 3 months but if you have expired vouchers you should contact your electricity supplier and ask for a new one to be sent out."
