Emergency Fuel Vouchers
If you are struggling to top up your gas or electricity meter and are at risk of being left without energy, emergency fuel vouchers may be available.
Emergency fuel vouchers are designed to provide short-term support to households experiencing financial hardship. They can help ensure you have access to heating, hot water and electricity while longer-term support is explored.
If you are unable to afford a top-up, it is important to seek help as soon as possible.
What Is An Emergency Fuel Voucher?
An emergency fuel voucher is a payment or credit provided to help people who cannot afford to top up a prepayment gas or electricity meter.
The voucher can be used to add credit to your energy meter, helping to restore or maintain your energy supply.
Emergency fuel vouchers are intended as short-term assistance during a financial crisis.
Who Can Get An Emergency Fuel Voucher?
Emergency fuel vouchers may be available to people who are:
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the support scheme or organisation providing the voucher.
What Is A Prepayment Meter?
A prepayment meter allows you to pay for energy before you use it.
You add credit to the meter using:
If there is not enough credit on the meter, your gas or electricity supply may stop.
Where Can I Get An Emergency Fuel Voucher?
Support may be available through:
- Citizens Advice.
- Local councils.
- Household Support Fund schemes.
- Energy suppliers.
- Local welfare support programmes.
- Charitable organisations.
In many cases, an assessment of your circumstances may be required before a voucher can be issued.
How Do I Apply?
The process will vary depending on the organisation providing support.
You may be asked to provide information about:
- Your income.
- Benefits received.
- Household members.
- Current financial circumstances.
- Energy supplier details.
- Meter type.
Providing accurate information can help ensure support is provided quickly.
What If My Energy Has Already Gone Off?
If your meter has run out of credit and your energy supply has stopped:
- Contact your energy supplier immediately.
- Seek emergency support as soon as possible.
- Contact Citizens Advice or your local council.
- Ask about emergency fuel vouchers and hardship support.
The sooner you seek help, the quicker support arrangements can be explored.
Can My Energy Supplier Help?
Yes.
Many energy suppliers have support available for customers experiencing financial difficulties.
Support may include:
- Emergency credit.
- Friendly credit periods.
- Repayment plans.
- Hardship funds.
- Additional support for vulnerable customers.
Contact your supplier as soon as possible if you're struggling.
Support For Vulnerable Households
Additional support may be available if someone in the household:
- Is elderly.
- Has a disability.
- Has a long-term health condition.
- Depends on medical equipment powered by electricity.
- Has young children living in the property.
Make sure support organisations and energy suppliers are aware of any additional needs.
What Is The Household Support Fund?
The Household Support Fund is a government-funded scheme delivered through local councils.
The fund may provide help with:
- Energy bills.
- Food costs.
- Essential household expenses.
- Emergency financial support.
Availability and eligibility vary between local authorities.
Are Emergency Fuel Vouchers Repayable?
In most cases, emergency fuel vouchers are provided as a form of emergency support and do not need to be repaid.
However, some forms of emergency credit provided directly by energy suppliers may need to be repaid through future meter top-ups.
Always check the terms of any support offered.
Other Support That May Be Available
If you're struggling with energy costs, you may also be eligible for:
- Warm Home Discount.
- Household Support Fund.
- Energy supplier hardship funds.
- Council Tax Reduction.
- Water bill support schemes.
- Benefits you may not currently be claiming.
A benefits check can help identify additional income and support.
Tips If You're Struggling With Energy Costs
✅ Contact your supplier as soon as possible
✅ Don't wait until your meter runs out of credit
✅ Check whether you're eligible for emergency support
✅ Apply for available grants and hardship schemes
✅ Review your household budget
✅ Check you're receiving all benefits you're entitled to
✅ Don't wait until your meter runs out of credit
✅ Check whether you're eligible for emergency support
✅ Apply for available grants and hardship schemes
✅ Review your household budget
✅ Check you're receiving all benefits you're entitled to
Common Myths About Emergency Fuel Vouchers
"I Have To Wait Until My Energy Supply Stops"
It's often better to seek help before your meter reaches zero credit.
"There's No Help Available"
Many organisations and energy suppliers offer emergency support for people in financial difficulty.
"Only People Receiving Benefits Can Get Help"
Support may be available to people experiencing financial hardship for a variety of reasons.
"I Can Only Get Help From My Energy Supplier"
Support may also be available through Citizens Advice, local councils and other community organisations.
Need Help?
Our advisors can help you:
- Access emergency fuel voucher support.
- Contact your energy supplier.
- Check your entitlement to benefits.
- Create a realistic household budget.
- Explore grants and financial assistance schemes.
Contact our team for free, confidential advice and support.