The chaos in gas and electricity markets is set to hit one group of people the hardest this winter: the four million households that use prepayment meters (PPMs).
While most people pay their bills monthly for energy they have already used, PPMs require people to pay for energy before they use it. PPMs take whatever money is in the meter and supply energy to the household.
And while energy providers have to issue numerous warnings before disconnecting billed customers who fall behind on payments, PPMs cut off the energy supply the moment the money in the meter – including a limited amount of emergency credit – runs out.
