Thousands of households in the West Midlands are yet to take advantage of the government’s offer that will see a reduction of hundreds of pounds on their winter bills.

Over 150,000 vouchers in the region are still unclaimed as part of the Energy Bills Support Scheme which provides a £400 discount to help with the rising costs of energy.

The news of the unclaimed vouchers has seen Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, urge all those who have yet to claim to make sure to do so by checking online or contacting their provider before 31 March 2023 deadline.

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, is urging those who have yet redeem their vouchers not to miss out. The Mayor, said:

“Central to the cost of living pressures currently facing local people right across our region are rising energy bills.

“That’s why I want to ensure that everyone is receiving all the help that they’re entitled to from the government so I’m urging those 150,000+ households in the West Midlands who have yet to redeem their vouchers to make sure to claim the benefit before it is too late.

“This has been a tough winter for far too many which is exactly why it’s so important that nobody misses out on this unprecedented offer of support.”

The vouchers were first announced back in May last year and apply to all households in Great Britain.

The £400 discount was initially applied over a six-month period with reductions of £66 in October and November 2022 and then £67 every month between December 2022 and March this year.

People that use prepayment meters may be required to redeem their vouchers at their local top-up point. Suppliers have a responsibility to inform their customers how to access government support using the vouchers and must make several attempts to contact people who haven’t redeemed them.

As of the end of January, 76% of all vouchers issued so far have now been redeemed – meaning support reached more of these households than at any other point since the scheme began.

For more information, please visit gov.uk.