Major UK supplier giving households £1.5k help towards energy bills – even if you're not a customer
Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerBritish Gas is giving up to £1,500 grants to struggling households and even those who aren't with the supplier are being encouraged to apply
UK households can apply for extra financial help towards their energy bills this winter through a major energy supplier – and they don't even have to be a customer.
British Gas is to offer grants worth up to £1,500 to customers and non-customers and the scheme is open now.
The help comes in the form of two grants – one of which is only open to British Gas customers and the other, which is open to anyone.
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Cash help up to £1.5k
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individual and Families Fund, a grant for households struggling with energy debt.
The scheme reopened on Monday 4 December and is likely to close at the end of March 2024 – unless funds are used up sooner.
The Individual and Families Fund is for any households, irrespective of whether they are with British Gas, who find themselves in energy debt – either on their account or on their prepayment meter.
And those who are British Gas customers can also apply for help through the British Gas Energy Support Fund.
Both schemes offer help of up to £1,500.
What is the British Gas Energy Trust?
The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity that is funded by British Gas – that offers help to families struggling with energy debts.
'Individuals and families can apply for grants to clear domestic gas and electricity debts.'
However, the Trust also issues a warning that before applying or getting in touch about the scheme, households must have sought debt advice from other sources and contacted their own energy supplier.
'Before applying to the Trust you must get money or debt advice first,' the charity adds.
British Gas Energy Trust chief executive Jessica Taplin said:
'We're assuring households that we will provide as much support as we can as the cost of living crisis continues to put a strain on finances.
'With the re-opening of the Individuals and Families Fund this winter, customers will have access to grants and advice from us even if they're not British Gas customers.'
Who can get the help?
To be considered for either the Individuals and Families Fund or the Energy Support Fund must meet the following criteria:
To apply for the Individuals and Families Fund, households must:
- Have energy debt up to £1,500 and have a credit energy account OR use a Pre-Payment Meter in your main residence and the energy account must be in the name of the applicant
- Live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
- Must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name and the energy account must relate to your main residence. If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant.
- Have electric and/or gas debt
- Must be in or facing Fuel Poverty
- Have received help from a money advice agency
Customers who can get financial support from their own energy supplier are excluded from applying for the help.
To apply for the Energy Support Fund, households must tick the following criteria:
- You are a British Gas credit or pre-payment meter customer living in England, Scotland, or Wales
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 12 months
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to your main residence
- Have electric and/or gas debt between £250 – £1,500
- You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty
- You have received help from a money advice or guidance agency
How do I apply for the scheme?
If you fit the above criteria, you can apply for the help through the British Gas Energy Trust here.
Applicants will also need to provide evidence of all household income, proof of money advice or guidance given and a meter reading for their gas and/or electric account.
If successful, you won't get the money in cash. Instead it'll come as credit to your energy bill.
The grants are also designed to pay off energy bill arrears in full, and cannot be used for anything else.
What other help can I get from my energy supplier?
Other energy suppliers, including EDF, E.On and Scottish Power also offer help to their customers.
EDF's Customer Support Fund can help customers who are in debt or facing financial difficulties, and also provide help towards buying white goods. You'll need to be an EDF customer and sign up for the Priority Services Register to get the cash grant.
Scottish Power also gives up to £750 in hardship grants through its hardship fund, and the help is available for those on certain benefits including Income Support.
Octopus Energy offers help through its Octopus Energy Assist Fund, which includes vouchers up to £500, a payment holiday, home energy visits to see how you can reduce your bills and even free electric blankets.
Finally, E.ON and E.ON Next customers can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs. There are no set eligibility requirements for this fund but customers with the greatest needs will be prioritised, with the energy supplier aiming to help as many people as possible.
More financial help
Need further help and advice? You'll find details on all the benefits and entitlements you may be able to claim via the Netmums' Cost of Living hub.
There you'll find lots of government-based advice on cash you might be entitled to, plus all the dates when you can expect the latest Cost of Living payments and other allowances to land in your bank account.
There are also top tips from the Money Saving Expert, Martin Lewis, as well as brilliant ideas for saving money on everything from your weekly shop, to that well-deserved holiday.
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