Millions of energy vouchers – designed to help those on prepayment metres pay their bills – remain unclaimed just days before the end of June cut-off.

An estimated £130million worth of free vouchers, given out by the government, have still not been spent as fears mount that many cash-strapped homes are about to miss out on vital help.

Between October and March every home in England was given an extra £400 under the Energy Support Scheme to lessen the impact of rising gas and electricity prices.

While homes with energy contracts were given discounted direct debit payments or money sent back to their bank accounts, customers with prepayment meters were sent their money in the form of vouchers or codes that needed redeeming when topping up their meter.

But months after the scheme was launched – and just days before the Friday, June 30 cut off – ministers have revealed more than £130 million worth of vouchers are still unused.

Adam Scorer, chief executive, National Energy Action (NEA) said: “As energy bills have spiralled, National Energy Action knows how crucial the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme has been. The £400, paid in 6 instalments of £66 or £67 has helped many people this winter.

“But prepayment customers – often some of the most vulnerable – were paid in vouchers and millions remains unclaimed. Some customers didn’t receive them, others struggled to redeem them.

We urge anyone who hasn’t yet claimed their vouchers to do so before the 30 June deadline and if you have friends and family that may not have used their vouchers, spread the word. It may be the support that keeps their lights on, their oven cooking, their hot showers running, through the summer. It’s vital money at a time when it’s never been needed more.”

How to redeem your vouchers

No household has needed to apply for the energy payments, they were automatic, but how you received extra money will depend on how you pay for your gas and electricity.

Customers using prepayment meters should be in receipt of vouchers - either in paper form or by text - and these can be redeemed at a Post Office or PayPoint.

With uptake struggling, and the focus on the use of prepayment meters for those most likely to struggle, energy companies are obliged to make several attempts to contact people who haven't cashed in the vouchers which have been sent to them.

What if they've expired?

Energy vouchers each last for 90 days but companies also have the power to reissue those that have expired.

Anyone who has expired codes or vouchers should get in touch with their energy supplier as soon as possible to request an extension to their vouchers while being sure to use any still in date.

But all vouchers - explains consumer group Which? - must be added to accounts by June 30, 2023 to then be spent over the summer and upcoming winter.