Energy bill warning for millions on prepayment meters this Christmas
MILLIONS of people on prepayment meters have been warned to top of their meters before shops close for Christmas.
The warning comes from Advice Direct Scotland which said many outlets people use to top up their prepayment meters will close over the festive period.
Post Offices, Paypoint and PayZone outlets are used by many customers to top-up their meters.
But these will probably be shut from some time on Christmas Eve and then during the Bank Holidays.
Therefore, it's important to make sure you know the opening times of your local Post Office and nearest outlets before it's too late.
Or, top-up your meter NOW.
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Days classed as a public holiday over the festive period and therefore could mean your local Post Office or outlet is closed are:
- Christmas Day
- Boxing Day
- Tuesday December 27
- New Year's Day
- January 2
To find your Post Office's Christmas opening times, head to the website and search "Christmas 2022".
For your PayPoint and PayZone Christmas hours, you'll need to get the opening times of the store the machines are located in - for example, a Spar.
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A prepayment meter runs down credit, until it is topped up again.
This is where you effectively pay-as-you-go for your energy and top it up using a key, card or app.
Using a pre-payment meter can be more expensive than a standard meter.
But if you don't pay to top up your prepayment meter, then you could be left without gas and electric.
Therefore, if you can, top up your meter NOW to avoid being cut off over Christmas.
If you are struggling this Christmas, as energy bills have shot up, there is help available.
Advice Direct Scotland said customers can apply for emergency credit.
Some energy companies provide emergency credit to customers whose balances are running low.
This credit can be used to tide people over - here's the full list of suppliers we know offer emergency credit but if yours isn't on there, do ask them anyway.
Customers can also get friendly credit - this is offered to people if their top-up locations are closed.
Friendly Credit is paid back when you top up.
In most cases any temporary credit will have to be paid back when you next top up, although you can ask your supplier to spread out the cost in a payment plan if you can't quite afford it yet.
How much you get will depend on your situation and who you're with, so we'd recommend calling up for details if you feel like it affects you.
What prepayment meter help is on offer?
If you're on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.
The fuel voucher scheme comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and it's offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council - you can find yours via
The voucher should help you cover around two weeks worth of electricity use.
Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly.
Energy companies usually offer emergency credit, though you will have to pay this back.
How much you get and how it's applied will depend on who your supplier is.
It might be added to your meter when you fall below a certain amount or you might have to ask for it.
What is a pre-payment meter?
Around 4.3million people in the UK are on pre-payment meters.
They are often installed in homes that have fallen into debt so a customer can manage their bills better or by landlords in some rental properties.
Users have to top up a pre-payment meter in advance in the same way you would make sure you have enough credit on a pay-as-you-go phone.
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You can usually top up these meters at recognised PayPoint andPayzone shops or at the Post Office.
Depending on the provider, you may also be able to make top-ups through an app.