MSE News: Got a non-smart prepayment meter for energy? Use (or lose) your £66 Government voucher

Chrysalis

3 months seems a really short expiry, reminds me of xbox gift codes (also only 3 months life).

MWT

Marvel1 said:

MWT said:

MSE_Helen_K said:

If you pay for energy by topping up and you're on a traditional (non-smart) meter, remember to use your £66 Government energy support voucher, as it's only valid for three months.

... unnecessarily sensational title...

It isn't 'use it or lose it', the vouchers can be reissued and if it is not possible for a recipient to use the vouchers within the allowed time period as an exception the payments can be made to a bank account.

They should make it clear on the voucher the above as it states will expire in 3 months and nothing else, I wasn't aware of what you said.

The details of all of this are contained in the guidelines provided by Government to the suppliers:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1105770/energy-bills-support-scheme-guidance-electricity-suppliers.pdf

The cash alternative is an exception to the intended delivery method, and it is not automatically available, but it is covered in this paragraph from the link above:

5.63  Where, having exercised reasonable endeavours, suppliers are unable to provide an EBSS
payment using the methods set out for each of the customer types, they should provide the payment
by non-transferable cheque, bank transfer or a secure voucher that may be exchanged for cash.
Payment using these methods should be by exception.

Do be careful though as the supplier may legitimately provide you with an alternative solution to having filled your meter and your key with credit by simply refunding that credit so you can use the voucher...

... so don't assume that you'll be able to get cash instead just because you are still using up credit from a year ago...

thesouthernnortherner

I've received both of mine...but haven't been able to redeem them as they spelt my surname wrong.

When I got the first one, contacted them, confirmed my actual surname, asked for it to be reissued. It wasn't. 

Second one arrives, with incorrect surname again.

I'm tempted to just go to the post office and try the incorrect ones anyway.

Attempting to communicate with my provider is useless. The bot does not recognise the phrase "name spelt wrong on account". I can't update my surname online either.

I'm lucky that I don't need the money (only claiming it as I know I will have to pay for it in some way in the future). I worry for people who do desperately need it, who face the same incompetence.

Dodoxx

Had my Oct and Nov vouchers by email from Scottish Power but recvd email from them saying my Dec discount has been paid via the prepayment network and I need to top up to allow the credit to be transferred to the payment key, it may take up to 3 top UPS before it appears on the key. The previous 2 vouchers went straight on the key! Anyone else received this info or have been able to get the Dec credit onto their key ?

t4turkiye

Like Rudyson

I'm still waiting for vouchers from EDF. I keep getting fobbed off with "It's a government scheme" and "No need to contact us" I was even advised to go to the Post Office with ID and they'll issue the vouchers - they don't of course, they only redeem them

Exactly the same reply to me from EDF, and l have only received 2 of the 6 vouchers. They say they've escalated the issue, and l will hear & receive the vouchers in the next 5 days etc, but still NOTHING. They are draining the life out of me, after countless phone calls, texts, WhatsApp and emails and having to continually repeat the same details to that stupid eNZO bot!! No doubt they are waiting for April to say that scheme is finished!! 🤬

t0rt0ise

t4turkiye said:

Like Rudyson

I'm still waiting for vouchers from EDF. I keep getting fobbed off with "It's a government scheme" and "No need to contact us" I was even advised to go to the Post Office with ID and they'll issue the vouchers - they don't of course, they only redeem them

Exactly the same reply to me from EDF, and l have only received 2 of the 6 vouchers. They say they've escalated the issue, and l will hear & receive the vouchers in the next 5 days etc, but still NOTHING. They are draining the life out of me, after countless phone calls, texts, WhatsApp and emails and having to continually repeat the same details to that stupid eNZO bot!! No doubt they are waiting for April to say that scheme is finished!! 🤬

Contact your MP.

doesntnotcompute

t4turkiye said:

Like Rudyson

I'm still waiting for vouchers from EDF. I keep getting fobbed off with "It's a government scheme" and "No need to contact us" I was even advised to go to the Post Office with ID and they'll issue the vouchers - they don't of course, they only redeem them

Exactly the same reply to me from EDF, and l have only received 2 of the 6 vouchers. They say they've escalated the issue, and l will hear & receive the vouchers in the next 5 days etc, but still NOTHING. They are draining the life out of me, after countless phone calls, texts, WhatsApp and emails and having to continually repeat the same details to that stupid eNZO bot!! No doubt they are waiting for April to say that scheme is finished!! 🤬

The scheme closes on 30th June 2023 - you can still get vouchers reissued but they have to be redeemed by that date at the latest.