POORER prepayment meter customers are more likely to miss out on support for soaring energy bills, campaigners warned today amid reports that vouchers to help with costs are not being redeemed.

From October 1, households across Britain should have begun to receive the first instalment of the government’s multibillion-pound energy bill support scheme.

Gas and electricity companies will apply discounts automatically for households who pay via monthly bills, but users of older prepayment meters, who tend to be on lower incomes, must actively claim the support.

However, the Post Office, Britain’s biggest voucher processor, told the BBC that only 60 per cent of those eligible had requested the vouchers, which provide credits that are only valid for 90 days.

National Energy Action chief executive Adam Scorer warned that prepayment meter customers “may not know that the scheme exists, be reluctant to open letters from suppliers, miss emails or be unable to print vouchers off.

“Having the support in place, is of course, vital. Making sure people can and do access it is just as important.”

The emergency scheme was first announced by Boris Johnson’s government in May and applies across England, Scotland and Wales.

Under the initiative, energy bills, spiking following Russia’s attack on Ukraine, will be cut by £400 across six months, with a reduction of £66 in October and November and £67 every month between December and March 2023.

However, many customers requiring vouchers have reported delays on money-saving websites when trying to acquire them, while experts said the mild autumn weather could also be a factor, with users waiting until it gets colder before accessing help.

The Post Office encouraged “anyone who receives an email or letter telling them to claim their voucher to do so as soon as they can.”