Emergency credit on a gas prepayment meter can be activated when your balance drops to a low level (usually under £1-£2) by inserting your gas card and pressing a button, typically labeled 'A' or 'B'. It provides a small, temporary loan of fuel that must be repaid with your next top-up.
You can activate it through your Secure gas meter:
To get emergency gas, call a roadside assistance service (like AAA, your insurance company, or a tow company) for delivery, contact friends/family, or use apps like Curbside SOS to find local providers; for financial help with gas, dial 211 or contact charities like the Salvation Army for vouchers, but prioritize safety and avoid walking long distances alone.
If you run out of credit you'll build up extra debt to your supplier, for example you'll need to pay back any emergency credit you use. You can agree how to pay it back with your supplier.
To activate, insert your top-up key into the meter. If the key is already in the meter, you may need to remove and re-insert it. You'll receive a confirmation message that emergency credit has been activated and how much of it is left on the meter. Top up as soon as you can to avoid losing power when it runs out.
You'll need to activate emergency credit if you want to use it. You can do this when your balance drops below £1 – but before your credit runs out. You'll see 'Emergency credit selected' as soon as it's activated, and then 'Emergency credit in use' once you start using it.
If you have a traditional gas meter
To switch your power back on, insert your payment card into the meter. You'll be asked to press and release button “A”. This will turn the gas back on.
Gas assistance programs
Nonprofit organizations, like the Salvation Army, United Way 211, and local churches, sometimes provide gas vouchers, prepaid gas cards, or other forms of transportation assistance.
We consider all of the below a gas emergency:
If you run out of gas, safely pull over, turn on your hazard lights, and stay in your car (doors locked) on busy roads; then call roadside assistance, a friend, or use your phone to find the nearest station and get help, using emergency call boxes if available, and avoid walking on highways.
Yes, you can get gas and pay later using "Buy Now, Pay Later" (BNPL) apps like Sezzle, Klarna, and Zip, which let you split gas purchases into 4 interest-free payments (over 6 weeks usually) at participating stations like Chevron, Texaco, and Shell, by creating a one-time virtual card in the app to use at the pump or inside.
6 Quick options to get gas money fast
To get emergency gas, call a roadside assistance service (like AAA, your insurance company, or a tow company) for delivery, contact friends/family, or use apps like Curbside SOS to find local providers; for financial help with gas, dial 211 or contact charities like the Salvation Army for vouchers, but prioritize safety and avoid walking long distances alone.
If you cannot afford to top up your prepayment meter
You may also be able to get a fuel voucher. This is a code given to you in a letter, text message or email which you can use to add credit to your gas card or electricity key. Contact your local council, food bank or Citizens Advice to find out more.
Emergency Credit on my gas card meter
When the screen displays 'Emergency Credit Available', insert the card into the meter. Then, follow the onscreen instructions. The screen will now display 'Emergency Credit in use' and the remaining credit amount.
AAA Emergency Fuel Delivery Service.
Call for help
No, typically you can't use a debit card with no money, as it pulls funds directly from your account, resulting in a declined transaction or an overdraft fee if you're enrolled in that service. Some banks offer overdraft protection, allowing transactions to go through but incurring high fees or interest, while others will just deny the purchase without a fee if you haven't opted in.
If you run out of credit and emergency credit, you won't be able to turn your electricity on. You'll also start going into debt for any daily standing charges and debt repayments you miss.
For your gas Elster smart meter;
Press the black button ('B') on your meter – you'll see 'For gas' appear in the bottom half of the screen. Now press and hold the black button until told to release. Press and hold the red button ('A') when asked to confirm your appliances are turned off; keep holding until told to release.