Ofgem, the energy regulator, confirmed earlier this month that EDF, Octopus and Scottish Power have been given permission to restart involuntary Pre Payment Meter ( PPM ) installations after meeting their set of conditions.
They are still required to follow a robust set of rules put in place by Ofgem. The rules have a ‘Do not Install’ category for high risk customers which include:
- Households which require a continuous supply for health reasons, including dependence on powered medical equipment
- Households with an older occupant (aged 75+), without support in the house
- Households with children aged under 2 years old
- Households with residents with severe health issues including terminal illnesses or those with a medical dependency on a warm home (for example due to illness such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, sickle cell disease)
- Where there is no one within the household that has the ability to top up the meter due to physical or mental incapacity.
See Ofgem Press Release for full details
Being on the energy supplier’s Priority Services Register could protect you. The Register is a free support service for people in vulnerable situations. You can sign up for it through your energy supplier. Joining the Register doesn’t necessarily mean your supplier can’t put you on prepay – but it is an extra layer of protection, because your supplier must consider whether your circumstances make it unsafe or impractical for you to be on prepay.
Citizens Advice has guidance on how to Stop your energy supplier moving you to prepayment
Have a look at our Cost of Living Information page which directs you to local support if you are having difficulty paying your bills.
