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A LITTLE-KNOWN scheme could help you get free fuel vouchers to help with energy bills.
Those with a prepayment meter who are struggling to top up may be able to apply for support.
More than four million households are on prepayment meters.
This means they pay in advance for the energy they use, rather than being billed later on.
With pay-as-you-go, you top up gas and electric using a key, card or app.
Those on prepayment meters are often among the lowest income households.
The Fuel Bank Foundation provides emergency fuel vouchers to households with a prepayment meter that are at risk of or have already run out of credit.
It is offered through a range of organisations, like food banks and Citizens Advice.
The vouchers are worth £49 in the winter and £30 in the summer months - but those in need can apply more than once.
One householder posted to Facebook group after being approved for four £49 vouchers to help with costs.
The householder had applied for vouchers through one of their local referers
The vouchers are available for those with prepayment meters who are in fuel crisis.
This includes households who have been disconnected or are at risk of being disconnected because they do not have funds to top up their meter or pay for fuel.
This includes households living without heat, light and power or those at risk of being cut off within the next 24- to 48-hours.
Help may also be available if people are funding their energy use through unsustainable means, such as through unregulated loans.
The vouchers can usually only be used with prepayment or pay-as-you-go meters.
Vouchers issued are usually worth £49 each.
Households can make multiple applications but will need to show they are in or at risk of fuel crisis each time.
The vouchers are a grant and you wont be required to pay money back.
You can apply for support through your local council and other organisations.
You can find your local council's contact details via
If you’re still not sure if you can get a voucher, you can get help from organisations such as Citizens Advice.
You could also be referred to the scheme via food banks or other charities.
Vouchers are issued in the form of a code to a mobile phone.
But if you don't have a mobile phone, it can be sent via an email or through the post.
The code can then be taken to the outlet where you normally top up your prepayment meter - usually a local shop or the Post Office.
It can only be used to top up a gas or electricity meter and it can't be used to buy anything else.
More than 48,000 repeat fuel vouchers have been sent out to eligible households so far.
If you get a fuel voucher, don't forget that when you top up, some of the credit will go towards paying off any debt, for example emergency credit.
If you haven't topped up for a period of time, you may also owe standing charges, a daily flat fee for energy use that is separate to your usage.
Energy suppliers also offer support for those who are struggling to pay their bills.
Those on Universal Credit and older legacy benefits are also entitled to cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.
There are plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you're struggling.
Ask your supplier what's on offer and how to apply, or check here:
There's a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you're on a prepayment meter.
Councils are also dishing out hundreds of pounds to hard-up families through the Household Support Fund.
If you're in debt there are plenty of services you can take advantage of and they offer free and friendly advice on how to manage debt.
Most of them can offer you free guidance and help in person, over the telephone or online.
SWITCHING energy providers can sound like a hassle - but fortunately it's pretty straight forward to change supplier - and save lots of cash.
Shop around - If you're on an SVT deal you are likely throwing away up to £250 a year. Use a comparion site such as MoneySuperMarket.com, uSwitch or EnergyHelpline.com to see what deals are available to you.
The cheapest deals are usually found online and are fixed deals - meaning you'll pay a fixed amount usually for 12 months.
Switch - When you've found one, all you have to do is contact the new supplier.
It helps to have the following information - which you can find on your bill - to hand to give the new supplier.
It will then notify your current supplier and begin the switch.
It should take no longer than three weeks to complete the switch and your supply won't be interrupted in that time.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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