People living in East Renfrewshire with traditional prepayment meters are being urged to claim voucher entitlements from the UK Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme before an end of June deadline.
In a final push, the UK Government has been joined by electricity suppliers, consumer groups and charities to call on households with traditional prepayment meters to ensure they receive the full £400 financial support.
The vouchers expire on 30th June and data from the energy regulator, Ofgem has highlighted that the levels of unclaimed support is high throughout Scotland.
East Renfrewshire has one of the highest unredeemed rates with 26 percent of voucher entitlements yet to be claimed.
Only the five local authorities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverclyde, Renfrewshire and Scottish Borders have a higher unredeemed rate than East Renfrewshire out of Scotland’s 32 councils.
The total estimated value of unredeemed vouchers in East Renfrewshire stands at almost £113,000.
Households with aged, prepayment meters that are not digital could not be credited directly with the financial assistance and were instead issued with vouchers by post, text or e-mail.
A total of six vouchers can be claimed with each worth either £66 or £67 and they are able to be redeemed at a PayPoint or Post Office.
Any vouchers that are lost or expired can be re-issued to a household if they contact their energy supplier.
Scottish Conservative MSP for Eastwood, Jackson Carlaw said:
“In partnership with stakeholders, the UK Government has redoubled efforts to get this vital financial support for energy bills to local people in East Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
“Whilst it is positive that almost three-quarters of vouchers have been redeemed by local residents, it is a concern that a significant number are still to be cashed in.
“Anyone living locally with a traditional prepayment meter but who is yet to claim their vouchers should do so at the earliest possible opportunity and to avoid missing out on this hugely important financial assistance to help with energy bills.”
