Thousands of the Isle of Wight’s most vulnerable residents could be left without power after the much heralded Energy Bills Support Scheme has failed to help many of those on prepayment meters.
The £400 off energy bills for households came into effect from October.
Grant money is paid in a number of ways
This automatic, non-repayable discount should be applied in six instalments between October 2022 and March 2023 to help households through winter. There is no need to apply for the scheme and you will not be asked for your bank details.
The grant money is paid in a number of ways, in most cases taken off energy bills at source by the energy companies, or paid into the customer’s bank account.
Vouchers for old pre-payment card and key meters
However, those on the old pre-payment card and key meters have vouchers sent through the post. This is where the scheme has fallen down.
Nationally millions of pounds have been ‘unclaimed’ as vouchers have been held up by the postal dispute, or not sent out at all.
In other cases letters have been ignored with householders not knowing about the way the scheme works.
Only 60 per cent vouchers used
The Post Office, the UK’s biggest voucher processor, said only 60 per cent of those eligible have used the vouchers, the BBC reported.
Payment company PayPoint told the Evening Standard it expected to process 800,000 vouchers in October, worth a total of £52.8m, but the business said only £27m had been redeemed so far.
Check your post
It is important that everyone on pre-payment meters checks their post, and then takes the voucher into their usual shop to top-up their meter.
In a few cases bill payers have never informed an energy company that they have taken over the premises, and are using the previous residents card. Thus the letter may be addressed to the previous occupant. In these cases contact the energy supplier and bring them up to date.
Rise in prepayment meters
Nationally the number of households on prepayment meters rose by 60,000 in the six months from October 2021.
It is usually the poorest of households that use this system of pre-payment to help budget, but it is generally a more expensive way to buy energy.
Fraudulent messages
Scammers have also been actively taking advantage of the public by sending fraudulent messages asking them to provide bank details as the energy price guarantee comes into force.
Get in touch
Those concerned about their energy bills should contact The Footprint Trust on 01983 822 282.
For concerns about debt, benefits and tax issues etc should contact IW Citizens Advice on 0800 144 8848.
For non-payment of energy grant contact your energy supplier.
News shared by Ray on behalf of Footprint Trust. Ed
Image: Kai Hendry under CC BY 2.0
