Which electricity companies are giving out preloaded keys to top up prepayment meters?
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IF you're struggling to top up your prepayment meter due to the coronavirus crisis, you may be able to get a preloaded key from your energy supplier.
With a prepayment meter, you use a top-up card or key to load money onto your meter and that balance then falls every time you use energy.
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But due to the coronavirus pandemic, some will struggle to leave their homes to make the trip to a top-up point.
Workers have been advised to self-isolate if they've come into contact with someone infected with coronavirus or fallen ill with symptoms of it.
While earlier this month, 1.5million vulnerable Brits were also told to self-isolate for 12 weeks.
However, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy announced extra help for more than 4million prepayment meter customers to prevent their energy supply from being cut off.
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Support includes sending someone else to top up your card, having a pre-loaded gas or electricity card sent to you in the post, or having funds added to your credit.
Regulator Ofgem also recommends leaving your meter box unlocked if you need someone else to top up the meter.
So which energy suppliers give out preloaded keys to top up prepayment meters?
We checked with the big six energy firms and the three biggest challenger suppliers - below are their policies.
If this isn’t an option, you should contact the energy supplier to discuss your options.
It'll then work with you to find a solution to make sure your supply isn't cut off, it told The Sun.
British Gas also said it's sending preloaded top-up cards to around 35,000 medically vulnerable customers.
In some cases, it may also be able to arrange for you to top-up remotely and it might post a preloaded card or key.
If this isn't possible, it said it's able to preload keys and cards with credit to then send through the post.
E.ON
said that if your electricity meter falls below 50p of emergency credit, or you've run out of credit for gas, it can either send a card or key in the post.
Alternatively, it'll send an engineer to your home to top up for you.
This may include making a payment by telephone and it'll then send a preloaded card to you.
NPower is currently also increasing emergency credit levels to £45 to provide an additional buffer for prepayment meter customers.
This may include additional support for prepayment customers who are unable to get out to top up their payment keys or cards - for example, by sending out pre-loaded payment keys or cards.
It's advising customers who can't top up their meters and who are about to run out of credit to contact the supplier.
Scottish Power said it's operating a reduced service due to the coronavirus and can only answer emergency calls, such as customers who are at risk of being cut off.
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We've explained how to get help paying bills if you’re struggling during the coronavirus outbreak.
Plus, here's what to do if you can’t pay your rent this month.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has also announced that people struggling with their finances will be able to take a break of up to three months from paying their mortgages.