Prepayment energy meters

To use a prepayment meter, you need to add credit onto your card or key. You can do this by ringing your supplier or going to your local:

• PayPoint
• PayZone
• Post Office

Using a prepayment meter

You put the card or key into the front of your meter. The display window on the front of the meter could show:

• units of energy consumed
• any fixed charge the energy supplier charges
• the rate per unit of fuel
• the amount of credit inserted
• current credit
• any outstanding debt
• any debt repayments
• emergency credit

Emergency credit

When the energy meter runs out of credit, the gas or electricity supply stops.

Using emergency credit on Pay As You Go meters (SSE)

Energy statements

Your supplier will send energy statements quarterly or annually. These will show you:

• the amount of energy used
• the cost of energy
• any debt that has been paid
• any outstanding debts
• meter readings

Debt on your pre-payment meter

If you’re struggling to repay the debt on your meter, you should contact your supplier. They can work with you to agree an affordable amount to repay.

Depending on your situation, you could apply for debt relief to help you clear some of your debt balance.

Getting financial help from your energy supplier

Moving from a prepayment to a credit meter (Citizens Advice)