Do you have a prepayment meter that you top up at a shop or Post Office? 

You have until June 2023 to cash in your Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers.

Local advice charity Citizens Advice North Herts is calling on anyone who has not redeemed their Energy Bills Support Scheme vouchers to do so as soon as possible so they don‘t miss out on vital help. 

If they’ve expired or you think you did not receive them, contact your supplier to get them reissued. Those using prepayment meters should have received a total of six vouchers with a combined value of £400.

Due to difficulties in receiving and redeeming the vouchers, there could be millions of people that have not benefited from the support scheme which ended in March.

People using a traditional prepayment meter should have received a voucher for £66 in October and November, and £67 in December, January, February and March.

This would have been sent by text, email or post - though some may have received an automatic credit when they topped up instead.

Figures published recently show many of these vouchers have yet to be redeemed.

Catherine Bennett, community engagement manager at Citizens Advice North Herts, said: "Don’t miss out on this vital support - if you haven’t redeemed the vouchers you have until the end of June, after that you will have lost them.

"It’s important to check any post you have at home to ensure you haven’t missed any vouchers. 

"If you haven’t received them at all, go back to your energy providers - they are the ones who can reissue them.

"They are valid for three months but if you have expired vouchers you should contact your electricity supplier and ask for a new one to be sent out. 

"It’s important people claim the money because they are entitled to it.

"People who are on smart meters would have got it automatically and people on old prepayment meters should get the same as everyone else."

Anyone in North Herts or Stevenage seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice can call the Hertfordshire Citizens Advice Line on 0800 144 88 488.

The adviceline opening hours are 10am to 9pm Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 8pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday. 

Visit northhertscab.org.uk or Stevenagecab.org.uk to find out other ways to access their advice.