State pensioners can get as much as £2,000 from British Gas if they are struggling with their bills following the loss of their £300 Winter Fuel Payment.
British Gas has opened its Energy Support Fund, offering grants for customers struggling to pay their bills, including young people as well as pensioners.
Successful applicants can get a grant of up to £2,000 to clear energy debts, £500 more than was offered last year.
Those living in England, Scotland or Wales, who have energy debt between £50 and £2,000 on a pre-payment meter or £250 to £2,000 on a typical credit account can apply.
Those who apply also need to be ‘at risk of fuel poverty’, have received money advice assistance in the past six months and have not received a grant from British Gas in the past 12 months.
The scheme is only for British Gas customers, and those who are with another supplier are being encouraged to apply to their own firm’s scheme. Octopus Energy, for example, also offers money to pensioners struggling without a Winter Fuel Payment, while the likes of EDF and E.On also have their own hardship schemes.
The £2,000 grants scheme is separate to the British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund, which was opened in September, and offers £1,700 to help households with energy debt.
That is for customers with between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt and have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the past two years.
With this scheme, it is recommended that you apply to your own supplier first if you’re with OVO, EON, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy or Utilita and if you’re rejected by your company’s hardship fund, you can then apply to the British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund at www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.
British Gas said: “If you’re struggling with domestic gas and electricity debts owed to British Gas, you may be eligible to apply for a grant from the Trust to help clear that debt.
“You should get money or debt advice before applying for a grant. This will help you feel confident that you’ll be able to manage your energy costs in the future and support your application.
“The Trust is unable to help everyone who applies. Please note the Trust will require information on your financial circumstances to be able to assess your application. The full criteria and how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website. The grants available and eligibility criteria may change from time to time.”
