Households in West Dunbartonshire with prepayment gas and electricity meters are being urged to ensure they have redeemed their energy rebate vouchers.
Local MP Martin Docherty-Hughes is working to support families impacted by fuel poverty, and called on those with prepayment meters to check that they’ve received their vouchers ahead of the deadline.
Almost one in five households in Scotland use prepayment meters for their gas or electricity, according to figures from Advice Direct Scotland.
Most households will have £400 automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments or will have the money added to their accounts, through the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme. However, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount.
Figures show that 1 in 5 eligible households have yet to redeem their December vouchers, which have a deadline of 8th March. Customers who have not yet redeemed their January vouchers have until 9th April. If your voucher does expire, you can ask for it to be reissued. All vouchers must be redeemed by 30th June 2023.
Residents on prepayment meters are being urged to check unopened mail, in case the vouchers have been missed. They can also get in touch directly with their energy suppliers – using contact details found on bills, statements, and official websites – to check if they’ve received the support they’re entitled to under the Energy Bills Support Scheme.
Commenting, Martin Docherty-Hughes MP said:
“This winter has been a struggle for many of my constituents due to the soaring costs of gas and electricity. Those on prepayment meters have been especially at risk of falling into fuel poverty.
“It’s vital that families ensure they are receiving every penny of support they’re entitled to. I’d urge anyone in West Dunbartonshire with a prepayment meter to double-check they’ve redeemed their energy vouchers ahead of the upcoming deadlines.
“The advice is to check unopened mail, in case the vouchers have been missed, and get in touch with energy suppliers – using contact details found on bills, statements, and official websites.
“If there are any difficulties with your energy supplier then please get in touch with my office and I’ll do all I can to assist.”