Glasgow has the highest amount of unredeemed energy rebate vouchers in Scotland.
Thousands of households are due to miss out after not claiming their £400 energy bill vouchers, which expire in just over two weeks.
It comes as more than 140,500 vouchers were issued in Glasgow city centre under the government’s energy bill support scheme between October and December 2022.
However only 87,630 were redeemed by the end of last year, meaning 54,880 Glaswegians could miss out on the vital support.
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Most households will have cash automatically taken off their electricity bills in six instalments or will have the money added to their accounts.
Meanwhile, those on traditional prepayment meters need the vouchers to get the discount.
Almost a third of Scottish households with prepayment meters have not redeemed their energy rebate vouchers, according to the latest UK Government figures.
This includes 17,410 North Lanarkshire households, 11,680 Renfrewshire households, and 15,590 South Lanarkshire households.
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The prepayment vouchers are only valid for 90 days meaning December’s vouchers must be claimed by March 8.
If a voucher does expire, customers can ask for it to be reissued and suppliers should contact consumers if vouchers are not redeemed.
More than 867,000 vouchers were issued in Scotland under the government’s energy bill but more than 273,000 have not been redeemed across the country, meaning as much as £54 million of support has been unclaimed.
Edinburgh and Glasgow had some of the lowest redemption rates in the UK, at 59 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively.
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Conor Forbes, policy director with Advice Direct Scotland, said: “With energy prices still incredibly high, it’s vital that households get all the support they’re entitled to.
“We would urge any households in Scotland who have a prepayment meter to check whether you have been sent a voucher and use it before it expires.
“It’s concerning that so many people have not redeemed their vouchers [so far] and we don’t want to see a similar situation when December’s vouchers expire next month.
“If you haven’t received your vouchers you should immediately get in touch with your energy supplier or Advice Direct Scotland’s expert advisers.”
To make sure households do not miss out it is important to check unopened mail and junk email, in case the vouchers have been missed.
You can also contact energy suppliers, using details found on bills, statements, and official websites.
Scots are also being urged to contact energyadvice.scot if there are any difficulties getting through to suppliers or resolving issues.
The team can be contacted on 0808 196 8660 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.energyadvice.scot.
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