The charity, which provides emergency crisis help in the form of fuel vouchers to households with a prepayment gas and/or electricity meter, has almost doubled the value of its vouchers, from £49 to £89.
The increase will keep meters topped up for longer during the winter months, when energy demands are highest. In January, an £89 prepayment meter top up will provide around ten days’ worth of heat, light and power for the average household, compared to just over five days for £49.
Energy prices have remained stubbornly high. The average energy bill is currently around £2,000 a year, with those who prepay having to pay an extra £313 to keep warm over winter, compared to those who pay by direct debit. The cost-of-living crisis is also heaping further financial stress on household budgets.
With the Government failing to provide targeted energy bill support for low income and vulnerable households, Fuel Bank Foundation says it has been forced to take action to keep people safe and warm this winter.
Matthew Cole, head of Fuel Bank Foundation, said: