MORE than four million people with a prepayment meter need to complete a vital check before they turn their heating off.
As the weather improves many of us will have decided now is the time to switch off our central heating for the warmer months.
But those with a prepayment meter need to be careful as they could find themselves in debt when they come to turn their heating on again.
This is because you still need to pay a daily standing charge, which is a fee for being connected to the grid.
You have to pay it even if you are not currently using any gas or electricity.
The amount of standing charge you must pay depends on where you live, what tariff you are on and supplier you have.
On average, prepayment meter customers pay an electricity standing charge of 26p per kWh and a gas charge of 6.78p per kWh.
But if you do not have any credit on your meter then you will have to pay back all the standing charges you owe when you next top up.
This could mean you do not have enough money on your meter to pay for the electricity and gas you want to use.
For example, if you owe £15 in standing charges but top up your meter by £20 then the meter would take what you owe and you would be left with just £5.
This could mean you are forced to top up again the next day.
Or if you have not put enough money in your account then it is possible that as a last resort your supply could be disconnected.
Alex Belsham-Harris, Head of Energy Policy at Citizens Advice, said it’s important to keep your meter topped up, even in the summer.
He said: “When you're on a prepayment meter, this charge builds up as debt if you don’t have credit to pay it.
“We recommend keeping your prepayment meter topped up even when not using your heating, like during warmer months, as this avoids building up a large standing charge debt, which you may struggle to pay back when you next top up your meter.”;
How do I top up my prepayment meter?
With a prepayment meter you pay for the energy you want to use in advance, which can help you keep on top of your spending.
What to do if you can't pay your bills
FALLING behind on your energy bills can be extremely stressful.
If you’re struggling to pay what you owe, contact your supplier as soon as possible.
Your provider has to help you come up with a solution, and you should be able to negotiate a deal that works for you both.
One option is to agree a payment plan where you pay off your debts in affordable instalments.
You may be able to pay off your debts directly from your benefits through the Fuel Direct Scheme.
A fixed amount will automatically be taken to cover what you owe plus your usage.
To be eligible, you must be getting one of the following benefits:
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit (but only if you’re not working)
If you cannot come to an agreement with your supplier, they may try to force you to get a prepayment meter installed.
In very rare cases, where you refuse to negotiate, your supplier might threaten you with disconnection.
Your meter will tell you how much credit you have on your account.
This balance will fall when you use the energy you have paid for.
Your meter will warn you when your balance is low, which should give you time to top it up before its balance falls to zero.
Your supplier should have given you a card or key which can be used to top up your energy meter when it was installed.
Take the card or key to a Payzone, PayPoint or Post Office outlet.
Simply give them the key, along with the money you want to top up.
The minimum payment is £1 and you have to top up in full pounds.
Once the credit is applied to your card or key you simply insert it into your meter and add the credit.
What should I do if I am struggling to top up?
If you have a prepayment meter and are struggling to keep on top of your payments then there is plenty of help out there.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at Uswitch explains: “To avoid falling into debt, try to get into the habit of topping up regularly with enough money to cover your average monthly bill.
“If you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, get in touch with your suppliers as soon as possible, and they should be able to offer you advice and support.”;
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers who are struggling to cover their bills.
The criteria varies depending on your supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Severalenergy firms have schemesavailable to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerablehouseholds, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning ofblackouts, freegassafety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
For example, British Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £1,500.
EDF, E.ON and Octopus Energy also offer grants to struggling customers.
If you are with any of these energy firms, then speak to their customer service team or check their websites for more information.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
