Prepayment Meter Run Out? How to Get an Emergency Fuel Voucher

Quick summary: If you're on a prepayment meter and can't afford to top up, use your emergency credit first, then ask your local food bank or advice centre about a fuel voucher. The Fuel Bank Foundation gives out emergency vouchers through more than 850 partners, many of them food banks, and you redeem them at a PayPoint or Post Office. Your energy supplier must also talk to you about payment plans, extra credit and hardship funds.

Applies in: England, Scotland and Wales. Figures checked September 2026.

Run out of credit? Do these things first

Use your emergency credit. Most meters have around £10 of emergency credit. On a smart meter you can usually turn it on from your in-home display. On an older meter, call your supplier. You pay it back when you next top up.
Check for friendly hours credit. Many meters won't cut you off at night, at weekends or on bank holidays. Smart meters do this automatically.
Call your supplier. Tell them you can't afford to top up. Ask about additional support credit, which suppliers can give to people they class as vulnerable, such as disabled people, people aged 75 or over, families with young children, pregnant women and people struggling with living costs.
Ask your food bank about a fuel voucher. More on this below.

Can my food bank give me a fuel voucher?

Often, yes. The Fuel Bank Foundation works through more than 850 partners, including food banks, advice agencies, councils and charities. If you're struggling with energy costs, the partner refers you and the Foundation issues a voucher.

According to the Foundation, it has helped 2.5 million people, and between April 2025 and March 2026 it helped 99.8% of people on the same day they were referred.

Not every food bank is a partner, so ask when you contact yours. If yours isn't, they can usually point you to someone who is. You can find your nearest food bank here.

How the fuel voucher works

What	Detail
Who it's for	People on a prepayment meter for gas, electricity or both
How much	Enough energy for roughly a week to ten days. The value is set by the Fuel Bank Foundation and changes with energy prices
How you get it	A code sent by letter, text or email
Where you use it	A shop with PayPoint, or a Post Office with PayZone
What to bring	Your voucher code, your gas or electricity key or card, and ID
Any catches?	You must use the whole voucher in one go, but you can split it between gas and electricity. Check the expiry date, as some must be used within 15 days

All energy suppliers accept these vouchers. For more detail, see the Fuel Bank Foundation's questions and answers.

In Scotland, mygov.scot explains how to get fuel vouchers, including through the Fuel Bank Foundation.

Behind on your energy bills? Help with debt

A fuel voucher gets you through the next few days. If you've built up energy debt, there's other help.

Talk to your supplier. Ofgem says suppliers must work with you to agree a payment plan, a payment break or a reduction, and review what you're paying towards debt. Read Ofgem's guidance.
Supplier hardship funds. Many suppliers have their own funds to clear or reduce energy debt. Ask yours.
British Gas Energy Trust. Its Energy Support Grant, which opens on 1 October 2026, offers up to £1,700 to clear energy debt. You don't have to be a British Gas customer, but customers of some other suppliers must apply to their own supplier's fund first. You'll need to have had money advice in the last six months. It covers England, Scotland and Wales. See the British Gas Energy Trust for the full rules.
Ofgem's debt relief scheme. Ofgem has announced a scheme to write off up to £500 million of energy debt built up during the energy crisis by people on means-tested benefits. You won't need to apply. If you qualify, your supplier will contact you. Read Ofgem's announcement.

Join the Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free list your energy supplier keeps of customers who need extra help. It's open to anyone in a vulnerable situation, including short-term ones such as an injury that stops you getting to your meter. It can mean help reading your meter, advance warning of power cuts and a password scheme so you know callers are genuine. Ask your supplier to add you.

A little good news on prices

The government has removed VAT from electricity between 1 October 2026 and 31 March 2027, according to Ofgem. Gas is still charged at 5% VAT.

Other winter help you might be missing

Free advice by phone

The Help through Hardship helpline on 0808 208 2138, run by Trussell and Citizens Advice, can check what grants and benefits you could get and help with emergency support. It covers England and Wales and is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. More about the helpline.

Frequently asked questions

Can a food bank give me a fuel voucher?

Many can. The Fuel Bank Foundation works through more than 850 partners, many of them food banks. Ask your local food bank whether it can refer you, or where to go if it can't.

How much is a Fuel Bank Foundation voucher worth?

It's designed to cover roughly a week to ten days of gas and electricity. The exact amount is set by the Foundation and changes with energy prices.

Where can I use a fuel voucher?

At any shop with PayPoint or a Post Office with PayZone. Bring the voucher code, your meter key or card, and ID.

What is emergency credit on a prepayment meter?

It's a small amount of credit, usually around £10, that you can use when you run out. You pay it back the next time you top up.

Can I get help if I'm on a credit meter, not prepayment?

Yes. Contact your supplier about a payment plan, ask about their hardship fund, and look at the British Gas Energy Trust grant, which is open to customers of any supplier.