Every household in England and Wales with domestic energy supply will get a £400 discount off their energy bills paid in instalments over six months from October 2022 to March 2023.

If you use a traditional prepayment meter, where you top up at a shop or Post Office, you’ll get the £400 in vouchers which must then be redeemed in a shop or Post Office, your supplier will tell you where to use the voucher.

You might also get automatic credit when you top up, your supplier will give you more detail. You’ll get six vouchers or automatic credits, one per month.

This is what you need to know if you have a traditional prepayment meter…

1. You need to redeem the vouchers within three months.

Each voucher must be redeemed within three months or it will expire and you won’t be able to get the money added to your meter.

If your voucher does expire, contact your supplier as they may be able to issue you a new one. To redeem the voucher you’ll need some ID — your supplier will let you know which ID to take.

2. You’ll be sent the vouchers in the post, by email or text.

You’ll be sent the vouchers in the post, by email or by text within 11 working days of the start of each month so it’s worth checking your spam folders just in case.

If you haven’t received the voucher, you should contact your energy supplier.

3. You should stay wary of scams.

You don’t need to apply for the scheme or give any personal details to get the discount, so any messages asking you to apply or give your details are a scam.

If you’re in doubt about a message you’ve been sent, you should contact your energy supplier.

Find out more from Citizens Advice North Herts on northhertscab.org.uk or call the Herts CA helpline on 0800 144 8848