Empowered? Examining self-disconnection in a postal survey of electricity prepayment meter consumers in New Zealand

► Results of a national postal survey of New Zealand electricity prepayment users. ► Self-disconnection is an extreme outcome of fuel poverty. ► 53% of respondents experienced self-disconnection in the past year. ► Self-disconnection is problematic, lasting 12 or more hours for 38% of those who disconnected. ► Government policies could minimise health effects and capture benefits of prepayment metering.