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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
National
Brendan Hughes

NI £600 energy voucher: More than half redeemed says Post Office

Over half of the £600 energy vouchers for households in Northern Ireland have been redeemed, the Post Office has said.

More than 250,000 have been cashed since the roll-out began just over two weeks ago.

The vouchers, which can only be redeemed at post offices, are being sent to households that pay their electric quarterly or via pre-payment meters.

Read more: How energy customers can check status of their £600 government payment

The Post Office said the roll-out is on course to be completed before the end of February.

It is part of a UK government scheme to help with rising bills. Those who pay their electric by direct debit will automatically receive the £600 into their bank accounts instead of a voucher.

The Post Office urged households due to receive a voucher to pay close attention to their post and to be careful not to accidentally throw their voucher away.

Andrew Goddard, head of payments for the Post Office, said: "Our postmasters have been working hard within their communities to help people redeem their vouchers quickly.

"We are pleased with the incredible progress of the voucher rollout with over half of the total vouchers having now been redeemed within just two weeks of starting the mail-outs.

"We ask people who are due a voucher to keep a close eye out for it in the post. Please read the voucher very carefully and ensure you take it, plus the forms of ID specified, to ensure the Post Office teams can process your voucher and you receive your money."

The voucher comprises of a £400 payment as part of a UK-wide support scheme and an extra £200 in recognition of Northern Ireland's greater dependence on home heating oil.

The voucher letter includes details of what forms of photographic ID and proof of address are required in order to redeem it.

UK government Energy Minister Graham Stuart said: "In just a matter of weeks since the scheme launched, more than a quarter of a million Northern Ireland households have redeemed their UK government energy bill support vouchers – providing £600 to help with energy costs.

"Today's figures from the Post Office show just how quickly the support has arrived with over half of vouchers issued so far used.

"However, I am urging anyone who has not yet redeemed their voucher to pop to their local Post Office as soon as possible so they can reap the benefits of this support.

"Vouchers are being issued throughout February so all households on keypad meters should look out for them."

Of the 500 post offices in Northern Ireland, the vast majority are open on Saturdays and around 150 are open on Sundays. People can find their nearest Post Office by entering their postcode at postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.

Visit postoffice.co.uk/costofliving for more information on the voucher scheme.

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