Local Authorities are giving a warm welcome to Pre-Pay Cards

Even though the weather remains unseasonably mild, it’s beginning to feel like winter is here. The clocks have gone back, the evenings are darker and storms have been barrelling through the country relentlessly.

?The recent mild temperatures have been a boon for all of us worried about heating costs. In fact, many, including myself, have been seeing just how long we can go without turning the heating on.?For some, those efforts to keep the heating off as long as possible aren’t just an exercise in prudent budgeting. They are a desperate attempt to save money in the face of impending fuel poverty caused by rising energy prices.

?Research by Cornwall Insight said it now expects annual bills to equate to ￡4,347.69, with gas at ￡2,286.70 and electricity at ￡2,060.99. At the same time Kantar World Panel has found that grocery prices are 14.7% higher than a year ago in October. This double whammy of rising energy prices and inflation means the most vulnerable households are entering a frightening period when impossible decisions about heating or eating will become a reality. This is the time when Local Authorities will come under increased pressure to provide support – and the way they do that will become more and more important.

Here at Blackhawk Network we are already working with Local Authorities to ensure that the right support gets to the right people quickly and effectively. One of the ways this is being achieved is via our Energy Pre Pay Card. This simple, straightforward and accessible solution has a number of crucial advantages for both Local Authorities and those in need.

For Local Authorities the scheme is easy to set up and administer. Minimum admin requirements free up resources that the Local Authority can focus on helping people in need. At the same time the Energy Pre Pay Card can be tracked easily with reporting and insights automatically shared with the Local Authority so they can monitor the effectiveness and reach of the support they are delivering. Cards can also be locked for one kind of usage only, meaning that they are only valid for Energy bills and avoiding accusations that support is misspent or wasted.

For those in need, it means that support is targeted at them quickly. In fact, once the scheme is set up help can be on hand in 24 hours. This means households can avoid falling into energy poverty and a situation where they are constantly trying to play catch up with overdue and unpaid bills.

?While we hope that the mild weather continues and we are not faced with prolonged periods of cold weather, it is inevitable the Local Authorities are going to face ever-greater demands on their limited resources in the coming months.?Their understandable concerns about how best to get support to the right people is driving the adoption of card payment methods such as the Energy Pre-Pay Card.?

?New schemes are already coming on line as we speak and over the next few weeks we’ll be getting feedback on how they are working to deliver help and cope with demand. I hope to be able to share our insights with you and give you more solid evidence of their effectiveness during tough times.

To find out how we can help please contact me on 07485 376 178 or email me at?[email protected].