West Midlands Mayor Andy Street is urging Solihull residents to ensure they claim Government help towards the cost of their energy bills.
Figures show 125,000 vouchers from the Government’s Energy Bill Support Scheme issued to residents with prepayment meters have yet to be claimed.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has urged anyone who has yet to receive this help to do so by contacting their provider or checking online before the deadline of June 30th.
Mr Street, who heads the WMCA, said thousands of vouchers are remained unclaimed in Solihull.
He said: “With the rising energy bills and cost of living pressures we’re facing in our region, we need to do all we can to support local residents through the winter months and beyond.
“There are around 4,000 unclaimed vouchers that were issued for Solihull residents, and tens of thousands more across the region that people are missing out on.
“I’d urge residents with prepayment meters to check that they are not missing out.”
The £400 discount from the Energy Bill Support Scheme was initially applied to bills over a six-month period with payments of £66 in October and November 2022 and then £67 every month between December 2022 and March this year following a sharp rise in prices.
People who use prepayment meters were issued vouchers to be redeemed at their local top-up point. Suppliers have a responsibility to inform their customers how to access government support using the vouchers and must make several attempts to contact people who have not redeemed them.
Mr Street added: “I would encourage anyone who thinks a family member, neighbour or friend has not yet claimed this help to ensure they do so before the end of May deadline.
“Schemes to retrofit thousands of homes across the region – making them warmer and more energy efficient – are already underway which will help many West Midlands residents, including the most vulnerable, to live happier healthier lives in the longer term.”