Full list of energy firms offering emergency credit on prepayment meters and how much you can get
MILLIONS of people in the UK use prepayment meters to pay for their energy.
But with the cost of bills predicted to soar over the coming months, many will be worried about what's to come.
The most recent predictions are that annual energy bills could reach an eye-watering £6,500 next year, and inflation hit 10.1% in July.
However, if you are an energy customer paying through a prepayment meter and are worried about your energy being switched off, there is help on offer.
Pre-payment meters are essentially pay-as-you-go meters where users pay for energy before using it.
People might be concerned if their credit runs out their energy will be cut off.
Read more in Energy Bills
But some energy companies provide emergency credit to customers whose balances are running low.
This credit can be used to tide people over.
It's worth noting that the emergency credit will have to be paid back next time you top up.
Your energy firms will agree repayments with you, but you'll need to factor this into your finances.
The Sun approached So Energy, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy, Shell Energy, Utilita, Utility Warehouse, EDF and OVO Energy to find out what they offer customers.
So Energy
A So Energy spokesperson said it offers customers a £10 emergency credit.
However, you have to activate the credit.
If you don't and your balance falls below zero, the credit will not be available and your supply may be disabled.
Scottish Power also has a safety feature on its prepayment meters that means if you run out of credit between 6pm to 11am Monday to Saturday, and all-day Sunday and bank holidays, your energy supply won't turn off.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy owns Boost Energy and SSE Energy.
Boost Energy prepayment meter customers can get £5 emergency credit whether they're on a traditional or smart meter.
SSE Energy customers can also get emergency credit, but you'll be shown how much when you go to use it.
You can use the credit once your balance goes below 50p on an electricity meter or below £2 on a gas meter.
But, this won't happen automatically and you have to action the emergency credit.
EDF
EDF didn't respond to our request for comment, but it's website says it offers customers emergency credit.
If it's an electricity meter, you'll be able to get the emergency credit when your balance drops to 50p or less.
You'll get a warning beep and see a flashing 'e' on the screen.
You can get emergency credit on your gas meter when you've run out of credit completely.
Again, you just have to take your card out of the meter and then put it back in to activate the emergency credit.
It didn't say how much you'll get for each type of energy though.
Of course, it's worth checking with your own energy provider how to access emergency credit and what amounts you'll get depending on the type of energy.
What should you do if you're worried about paying your bills?
If you're on a pre-payment meter and you're worried about paying for your bills, there are options available to you other than emergency credit.
You don't have to just stop using up your energy if you think you might run out of credit.
Most companies should offer you help if you contact them and tell them you're struggling with costs.
Andy Shaw, debt advice policy officer at StepChange, said the best first port of call was to contact your energy supplier if you're struggling to pay for energy.
He said: "Energy companies have a regulatory responsibility to support customers who are struggling or who may be vulnerable, due to age or health reasons."
He said using up emergency credit was one option they might give you.
He added: "While the extra credit will need to be paid back, you can ask to agree these arrangements in a payment plan, and suppliers must work with you to agree a payment plan that is affordable."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More on The Sun
If you're struggling with your bills these organisations are here to help:
- - 0808 808 4000
- - 0800 138 1111
- - 0808 800 9060