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Get help with your prepayment energy meter top-up

Find out all about prepayment electricity and gas meter top-ups and what to do if you've lost your top-up key or card. 

You can also see what help you can get if you can't top up.

What is a prepayment meter?

You pay for your energy up front when you have an electricity and gas prepayment meter. This can give you more control over your energy spend. 

You choose when you top up – and how much you spend each time. 

Just take your electricity key or gas card to one of the 50,000 Payzone, PayPoint, or Post Office outlets around the UK to top up.

Prepayment help over the holidays

Find all the information you’ll need to stay on top of your energy during bank holidays – including information about extended friendly non-disconnection hours. We’ve got you fully covered, from top-up tips and emergency credit details to holiday support and reconnection help.

Holiday advice and support

How your prepayment meter, electricity key and gas card work

You just need to take your electricity top-up key or gas top-up card to your local Payzone, PayPoint, or Post Office outlet – or ask a friend or family member to do this for you.

When you slot your key or card back into your prepayment meter, you'll see your credit on the meter display.

Find your local Payzone, PayPoint, or Post Office outlet.

We put £10 of emergency credit on each of your prepayment meters for emergencies.

It's available when your electricity meter balance drops to 50p or less: and your gas meter drops to £0. 

Just take your key or card out of the meter, then put it back in.

Remember, it's best to top up as soon as you can – with enough credit to cover any emergency credit you've used, and any missed daily standing charges or debt repayments.

Find an answer to your top-up problems – or get in touch.

It's important to keep and eye on the balance on your meter. If you run out of credit, you'll lose your energy supply until you top up.

Most electricity prepayment meters won't get cut off if you run out of credit during non-disconnection hours: Monday to Friday 6pm to 11am; and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays, until 11am the next working day. 

Gas prepayment meters don't have non-disconnection hours.

We've extended our friendly non-disconnection hours for the festive season - see details.

Most electricity prepayment meters won't get cut off if you run out of credit during non-disconnection hours which are:

  • Monday to Friday 6pm to 11am
  • Any time on weekends or Bank Holidays, until 11am the next working day

Just remember to top up by 11am the next working day after the non-disconnection period, to avoid getting cut off.

Traditional gas prepayment meters don't have non-disconnection hours but all smart gas meters do!

We've extended our friendly non-disconnection hours for the festive season - see details.

Find out about smart Pay As You Go

If you've lost or damaged your top-up key or card, please get in touch – but here's a few things to try first:

Electricity key: wipe your key with a clean, dry toothbrush or cloth; check your receipt to see if your top-up worked; add enough credit to pay any debt on your meter

Gas card: wipe the strip on the card with a clean, dry cloth; check your receipt to see if your top-up worked

Top-up key and card

  • You can add up to £49 in one go at a PayPoint store
  • You can add up to £99 in one go at a PayZone store or Post Office 
     

Meter

  • Your electricity meter holds up to £255
  • Your gas meter holds up to £999

Vist our help centre to see what to do when your:

Or get in touch if your gas meter screen is blank or says 'Call help'

When do I get my new key/card?

You should get your new key or card within five days of signing up to your new energy plan, if you're already in your new home.

Did you sign up to your new energy plan ahead of your move? Your new key or card should be at your new home – or about to arrive – when you move in.

How do I use it?

Put your new key into your electricity meter for one minute to activate it. It's then ready to take it to your nearest Payzone, PayPoint or Post Office outlet to top up with credit.

Put your new card into your gas meter for one minute to activate it. It's then ready to take it to your nearest Payzone, PayPoint or Post Office outlet to top up with credit.

Use up credit on any old key/card first!
Did the people who lived in the property before you leave a top-up key behind? If there's any credit on it, use this before you put your new key into the meter.

Get a smarter way to pay for your energy up front

Smart Pay As You Go comes with three big advantages:

  • Choose how you top up: via the app, online, over the phone, at your local PayPoint retailer – or auto top-up
  • Take control: see how much you're spending in pounds and pence
  • Never get caught short: get a low-balance alert by text or email when it's time to top up

Are you ready to make the switch to smart Pay As You Go? Just ask us to install a smart meter – at no extra cost.

Need to move your prepayment meter?

Are you struggling to reach your traditional prepayment meter because it's too high?

Or do you have someone at home with a disability who can't get to your prepayment meter safely?

We can move it to a safer place, or exchange it so you can get a more suitable payment method at no extra charge.

Get in touch – or call 0333 00 69950(1)

We're open Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.

Get help with your tariff, bills, debt and more
 

How can I check I'm on the best energy tariff?

Get in touch to see if we have a tariff that suits your needs better. We'll make it simple and easy to change tariff if you see one you like.

Once you've changed tariff, your new tariff prices will show on your meter when you top up and insert your key or card.

Do you or someone you know need extra support?

Our Priority Services provide support with stress, illness, bereavement, disability, debt, and other issues. Help you can get includes:

  • Bills and letters in large font or Braille; talking bills
  • Free gas safety checks to make sure your appliances are safe
  • Arranging for someone you trust to manage your bills for you

Get help if you're struggling to pay

If you're finding it hard to pay your energy bills, we're here to support you if you need help.