{"id":820,"date":"2023-01-20T10:21:13","date_gmt":"2023-01-20T10:21:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redstarwealth.co.uk\/blog\/?p=820"},"modified":"2023-01-20T10:56:14","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T10:56:14","slug":"prepayment-meters-leaving-people-without-energy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redstarwealth.co.uk\/blog\/prepayment-meters-leaving-people-without-energy\/","title":{"rendered":"Prepayment Meters Leaving People without Energy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Citizens Advice has called for a ban on customers being forced onto prepayment meters by energy companies until new protections are brought into force.<\/p>\n

What are Prepayment Meters?<\/h2>\n

Often referred to as \u2018pay-as-you-go\u2019 meters, prepayment meters are when users have to pay for their energy before using it. They mean that you can pay small amounts often to top up your energy, but they often work out as more expensive than a direct debit deal.<\/p>\n

Users buy credit for their meter from a top up point (often found in a local shop or Post Office) which transfers money onto a card or key. Alternatively, they can top up online via an application on their phone.<\/p>\n

Consumers have to pay a daily fee called a \u2018standing charge\u2019. You also pay this with normal meters, but with a prepayment meter you need to ensure that you have sufficient credit to pay it. This charge comes out even when you use no gas or electricity.<\/p>\n

What is the Issue?<\/h2>\n

Many UK adults are unable to afford their energy bills and so are being forced onto prepayment meters, but then they can\u2019t afford to top up their credit on these either!<\/p>\n

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Source: Citizens Advice<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2022 alone, Citizens Advice found that more people were unable to top up their prepayment meter than in the whole of the last 10 years combined. They also found that 3.2 million people across Great Britain were unable to afford to top up their prepayment meter and so ran out of credit. This equates to 1 person every 10 seconds having their energy supply cut off.<\/p>\n

Know your Rights<\/h2>\n

If you think you can\u2019t afford to top up your prepayment meter, you must contact your energy supplier. Ofgem rules stipulate that they must offer you emergency support.<\/p>\n

This support includes:<\/p>\n