Sefton households with pre-payment gas or electricity meters that have not used their October and November Energy Support Scheme vouchers to claim payments, can get them reissued even though they have expired.   

Reissued

People with October and November vouchers that are past their expiry dates need to contact their energy supplier and ask for the vouchers to be reissued to them. Reissued vouchers will be valid for three months from the expiry date.

Those with prepayment meters who haven’t received the vouchers through the national Energy Support Scheme also need to contact their energy companies.

Every household

Every household in Britain is receiving £400 through the national Energy Support Scheme.

The majority, which pay their energy bill by direct debit and have been getting their bills reduced of their accounts credited automatically. Those with pre-payment meters for their gas or electricity should have received vouchers in the post or via email.

However, the BBC has reported that 19% of vouchers issued for October and in November have not been redeemed meaning almost one in five households may be missing out on vital payments.

Important

Cllr Trish Hardy, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing said: “Households with prepayment meters are already charged more per unit for their energy than those that pay by direct debit so It’s important they take advantage of the support that’s available.

“I would urge anyone in Sefton who has out-of-date vouchers or who has not yet received their vouchers to contact their energy suppliers straight away.”

Most suppliers are sending out the vouchers, valid for 90 days, to arrive in the post by the 17th of each month. The vouchers can be cashed at Post Offices or other locations such as PayPoint shops.

Afraid

Cllr Hardy added: “I know that even with this support, sadly there are people in our Borough afraid to heat their homes because of the size of their heating bills and would remind them about the network of Sefton Warm Spaces they can go to without the fear of what they are spending on gas and electricity.”

Details of Sefton’s warm spaces, including when they are open and where they can be found are here.    

People in Sefton struggling with the Cost of Living crisis can find advice and support at:

• www.sefton.gov.uk/cost-of-living
• www.sefton.gov.uk/seftonsupporthub;

National information is available at https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk.