THOUSANDS of households have just days left to get up to £400 in free cash for energy bills.
The deadline for prepayment meter customers to claim the help is fast approaching and those eligible should act now.
Millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales have had a £400 energy discount on their bills paid over winter.
The help was paid in instalments worth £66 in October and November, and then £67 between December and March 2023 as a discount on energy bills.
But those on traditional prepayment meters were sent vouchers to redeem at their local top-up point instead.
Over £130million worth of this cash support remains unclaimed, according to the latest figures.
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Eligible households need to make sure they claim the vouchers by June 30 before they expire.
If you've lost any unredeemed vouchers,you can get them reissued for free.
To get the credit, customers just need to take their voucher, their top-up key or card and proof of address with them to any Post Office branch.
If you are on a traditional prepayment meter and haven’t received your vouchers, are unsure of how to redeem them, or need a voucher to be reissued, you should get in touch with your supplier for more information.
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How can I redeem the energy voucher?
If you're on a traditional prepayment meter, you should have been given redeemable energy bill discount vouchers or special action messages (SAMs) via SMS text, email or post.
These vouchers can be redeemed at a customer's usual top-up point.
Customers of Bulb, E.ON and E.ON Next, EDF, Octopus, Ovo (and SSE), Scottish Power, Shell Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse can choose for their voucher to be redeemed on either their gas or electricity meter.
However, British Gas customers can only redeem their vouchers on their electricity meters.
What other help is there?
Extra help includes a £900 payment for millions on certain benefits including Universal Credit and a £150-£300 top-up for millions of pensioners.
The £900 has been split into three instalments of £301, £300 and £299.
Over eight million people are eligible for the help in total and should have received the first instalment last month.
The second and third instalments are due to be paid this autumn and in spring 2024.
You qualify for the payments if you receive the following benefits:
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Meanwhile, a £150 payment and between £150-£300 payment will be made to millions with disabilities and pensioners in June.
You may be entitled to the £150 disability cost of living payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
Plus, millions of pensioners from November will get between £150 to £300.
You will receive the payment if you qualify for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which you will get if you were born before September 25, 1957.
The money is essentially a top up to the Winter Fuel Payment which is designed to cover the costs of heating over the colder months.
You will be sent a letter from the Government in October or November if you are eligible for the top up.
You might also be able to get help via the Household Support Fund.
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The help is being distributed by councils in England and what you are entitled to varies depending on where you live.
But, in most cases, you will be in line for support if you are on a low income or benefits.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
You can also join our new Sun Money Facebook group to share stories and tips and engage with the consumer team and other group members.
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