Deadline looms to claim energy bills support

Households with pre-payment energy meters have been urged to avoid missing out on £400 worth of help with their bills by the end of June.

June 30 is the deadline for those eligible for the Government's Energy Bills Support Scheme – with £130m still available to be claimed.

The Claim Your Energy Voucher Day is a final push to encourage the remaining households to claim their vouchers before the scheme ends.

All households were eligible for the scheme–which paid £400 in six instalments of £66 or £67 over the winter.

However pre-payment customers – often some of the most vulnerable – were paid in vouchers and millions remain unclaimed.

Customers need to visit a post office or PayPoint with their Energy Bills Support vouchers and identification before June 30.

Those on a traditional prepayment meter who have not received the vouchers, or are unsure of how to redeem them, or need a voucher to be reissued, should contact their supplier.

Latest figures show the number of vouchers cashed in was 83%, with pre-payment meter users so far claiming nearly £650m.

Energy minister Amanda Solloway said: "We've made huge strides in getting nearly £650m from our Energy Bills Support Scheme out to prepayment meter customers.

"For anyone who still hasn't claimed this help, there is still £130m to claim."

Adam Scorer, chief executive at National Energy Action, said: "We urge anyone who hasn' t yet claimed their vouchers to do so before the deadline. It is vital money at a time when it's never been needed more."