Scots have been told they should make use of prepayment meter fuel vouchers issued by the Government - amid a warning that these vouchers expire within a certain time period.

The vouchers issued by the UK Government are aimed at helping people that use prepayment gas and electric meters to cover the expense of heating their homes.

This forms part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme which seeks to discount £400 from people's energy bills over the winter of 2022 and 2023.

Advice Direct Scotland, the national consumer advice service which oversees consumeradvice.scot and energyadvice.scot, urged consumers to make use of these vouchers before they expire.

Colin Mathieson, a spokesperson for Advice Direct Scotland, said: “Prepayment customers are often faced with self-disconnection when they can’t afford to top-up.

“Even in instances when they can top-up, this can cause severe financial hardship as they limit spending in other areas to do so, such as heating instead of eating.

“We would urge any households in Scotland who have a prepayment meter to check whether they have been sent a voucher and use it, and also to keep an eye out for the following vouchers when they arrive.

“Consumers should already have received their vouchers for October, if they have not, they should contact their supplier or Advice Direct Scotland’s advisers.

“We have a wide range of services available to everyone in Scotland, at no cost, regardless of personal circumstance.”

What is a prepayment meter?

A prepayment meter is a gas and electricity arrangement that sees users pay for the electricity and gas on a pay-as-you-go basis rather than through direct debit or a bill every few months.

Almost 1 in 5 households across Scotland use a pay-as-you-go meter.

Helensburgh Advertiser: PA - Scots warned to redeem vouchers amid fuel payments PA - Scots warned to redeem vouchers amid fuel payments (Image: PA)

How to get the prepayment meter fuel vouchers

Advice Direct Scotland says that the vouchers, worth £66, were sent out by post to prepayment customers from the start of October as part of the first instalment of the £400 energy bill deduction scheme.

Some customers may have received an SMS text or email depending on their provider informing them of this.

While most households will have their energy bill automatically deducted by £400 in six instalments, those on prepayment meters will receive discount vouchers.

When will the prepayment meter fuel vouchers arrive?

These should arrive by the end of each month (October, November, December, January, February, and March).

However, those on smart prepayment meters should be directly credited in the first week of each month.

How to redeem the prepayment meter fuel vouchers

They can be redeemed at Post Offices while others can be used at PayPoint shops.

When do the Prepayment meter fuel vouchers expire?

The vouchers are only valid for 90 days, after which they cannot be redeemed.