Residents across Bath and North East Somerset who use prepayment meters for their energy bills are being urged to check for their energy bill support vouchers before the 30th June deadline.
The call from West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris comes as figures were released revealing that millions of pounds of government support remain unclaimed.
The £400 Energy Bill Support Scheme was a universal discount paid to households in £66 and £67 instalments until 31st March.
While most households in the region pay their bills by direct debit and received their payments as credit, customers with prepayment meters received their support by voucher.
Those on prepayment meters in Bath should have received six vouchers with a combined value of £400 via text, email or post. The vouchers had to be taken to a Post Office to be credited to their meter.
New figures show that 341,000 vouchers nationwide totalling more than £22 million have yet to be cashed, with Mayor Norris warning that this could mean “thousands in the West of England missing out on the support they are fully entitled to.”
Households have 90 days to spend their vouchers and if any expire, replacements can be requested until 30th June.
The Metro Mayor has urged residents who have not received their vouchers or have not cashed them in, to contact their energy supplier as soon as possible.
While it is vital that prepayment meter customers redeem their vouchers by the end of June deadline, Mayor Norris has said he will continue urging ministers to act to protect prepayment meter customers.
He previously warned that the voucher scheme would result in thousands in his region missing out on support.
Mayor Norris said: “It is vital that Bath and NE Somerset prepayment households access the support they need to keep their energy bills down.
“I urge residents yet to cash in on vital savings of up to £400 on their bills to please, please contact their supplier and ask for a new voucher today. They will be valid for another 90 days.
“The Government has been warned time and time again that too many households on prepayment meters are not getting the energy bills support they need – and deserve.
“Yet successive ministers – and prime ministers – failed to get their act together. It’s not too late, though. With the cost of living spiralling, it is vital government ensure no Bath and NE Somerset prepayment customer misses out on support which will make a real difference in these very difficult times.”
Households in the area who are having difficulties with their energy supplier should contact Citizens Advice Bath and North East Somerset via 0808 278 7897 or by visiting https://www.citizensadvicebanes.org.uk/.
