Martin Lewis' MSE gives energy customers one month warning to claim £400

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert has given energy customers a one month warning to claim a £400 payment.

Households across the UK with a domestic electricity account received a a non-repayable grant of £400 between October 2022 and March 2023.

The grant was paid in six separate instalments with the first two, worth £66 each, being made in October and November while the remaining four, worth £67 each, were made between December and March.

With the grand total amounting to £400 - it's clear that many Brits across the country have yet to claim their vouchers - 1.9 million of them, to be exact, which amount to nearly 17 per cent of qualifying households worth over a staggering £130 million.

Official statistics also show that nearly a fifth (19 per cent) of vouchers issued for October and November 2022 had sadly expired before they could even be used.

"Once you've got a voucher from your energy supplier, you need to take it to a Post Office or PayPoint shop to add it to your gas or electricity top-up key or card."

Those who pay their energy suppliers directly by direct debit or by using smart prepayment meters didn't need to actively do anything to receive their £400 support payments as the money was either taken off their monthly payment, sent directly to their bank account or applied as credit to their bill or meter.

All vouchers will expire by the end of June given that each and every single voucher issued under the government are set to be valid for 90 days.

MSE explains: "Expired vouchers can be reissued, though you'll need to contact your supplier to arrange this.

"However, bear in mind that reissued vouchers may not be valid for a full 90 days. That's because all vouchers, regardless of when they were issued, have to expire by 11.59pm on 30 June 2023 – as that's when the scheme officially ends."

The experts also warn customers to 'plan accordingly', adding: "If you're storing your vouchers to redeem later, be aware that most meters can only hold up to around £250 of energy credit at a time."

Wondering what to do if you've lost your voucher or had it expire?

Just ask your energy supplier for a new one as they can reissue it for you via post, email or text message.

"The Government says suppliers are required to make all reasonable efforts to ensure you get your discount," the website notes.