Over 190,000 households in the UK are at risk of missing out on a £150 discount on their energy bills this winter, as part of the government's Warm Home Discount scheme. The scheme, administered by the Department for Energy and Net Zero, provides eligible households with a £150 credit on electricity bills between October and March.
The discount is applied automatically for those paying by direct debit, on receipt of bill, or with smart prepayment meters. However, households with older, traditional prepayment meters that require a key or card for top-ups must redeem vouchers at local post offices. Since the scheme began on 14 October, around 190,000 letters have been sent out, totalling £28.5 million in potential support.
Kevin Elson, postmaster at Bache Post Office, said: 'We know many people are worried about the cost of their energy bills as the colder weather starts to set in. £150 can make a big difference, especially to people who are on pay-as-you-go meter.' He urged eligible customers to redeem their vouchers promptly.
Vouchers are valid for 30 to 90 days from issue, with the exact deadline stated in the notification letter. If a voucher is lost or expired, customers should contact their energy supplier for a replacement. To redeem, customers must bring the voucher, photo ID, and a utility bill to their local post office.
If someone else is collecting the voucher on behalf of the eligible household, they must bring their own ID as well as the customer's ID and utility bill. The Post Office processes the discount by scanning the voucher barcode and applying the £150 directly to the prepayment meter key or card.
