HARD-UP households can now apply for a £1,500 British Gas energy grant.
The energy giant is offering thousands of pounds in support to customers who are struggling with the cost of living.
The British Gas Energy Support Fund opened for applications yesterday, which aims to help those who are struggling to pay bills.
It might be particularly useful now that PM Liz Truss' price cap has been introduced – although bills are capped at £2,500 for two years, that's just what suppliers can charge, and your bills might still be higher depending on your usage.
The fund is available for British Gas customers only, and it offers between £250 and £1,500 to those with electric or gas debt.
You can apply online here.
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Am I eligible?
To be eligible for the fund, there's no specific sum you need to have in your savings account, but it should be obvious that you're in need of financial help.
Your application might process quicker if you're on tax credits, like some of the following:
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
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The grant is for those seeking help with clearing an outstanding debt on an open gas or electricity account in their name. You must also be in or facing fuel poverty.
You will need to support your application with proof of your and your household's income, which you should have to hand before you start. This could be a current bank statement.
You'll also need to provide a recent meter read from your gas or electricity account, unless you have a smart meter, and these must be from your primary address.
The fund is available to both Credit and PPM customers who've had a previous outstanding credit account debt.
How much you get will largely depend on how in debt you are, and that will likely be discussed with you if your application gets accepted.
You must also live in England, Scotland or Wales to be eligible.
However, if you've received money from the British Gas Energy Trust in the last year, you won't be eligible for this one.
What if I'm not a British Gas customer?
The energy firm still provides grants for those who aren't customers.
The British Gas Energy Trust offers the Individuals and Families Fund, which grants bill payers up to £1,500 to pay off energy debts between £250 and £750.
The average payout is around £550.
To be eligible, you must have less than £1,000 in savings and outstanding debt in an open gas or electricity or duel fuel account.
If you meet the eligibility criteria you can apply online now.
The same process applies as the above, and you'll need to show yours and your household's income and provide a recent meter read.
However, you're encouraged to seek debt advice first before applying for any grant. You can do so by chatting to one of these firms:
- Money Advice Service – 0800 138 7777
- Citizens Advice – 0808 800 9060
- StepChange – 0800 138 1111
- National Debtline – 0808 808 4000
What other help can I get?
Lots of other energy suppliers have their own funds, which you might want to browse through if you're not with British Gas.
Bulb
Depending on your circumstances, Bulb may be able to offer you a £140 grant to help with your energy costs.
The firm may also offer to write off your energy debts up to £2,000 as well as provide you with an energy-efficient appliance.
To be available for this scheme you'll need to meet some of the following criteria:
- You're in financial difficulty
- You or someone you live with has a disability or long term health problem
- You pay for your energy by topping up your meter
- You have over £150 of energy debt, but are able to pay for your ongoing energy usage
- You have one or more essential appliance that’s either faulty or over 12 years old
It's expected that Bulb will open applications for the 2022/23 scheme soon – so keep checking its website.
E.ON Grants
Customers of both E.ON and E.ON next can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.
E.ON doesn't have an established eligibility criteria but the Fund aims to help as many people as possible and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised.
In order to complete your application you will need to know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading.
Depending on your circumstances you'll be asked to provide the following items of evidence:
- Proof of all household income for yourself and anyone living with you for the current tax year.
- All pages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating your entitlement to a benefit and the amounts due to be paid for the current tax year
- Pension letters for State or private pensions.
- Medical confirmation from the organisation that referred to you the fund or a medical DS1500 form or medical confirmation from a consultant or your doctor.
- Evidence of a budget sheet that was issued to you when you received professional money advice from the FCA approved agency. The budget sheet must be dated within the last 4 weeks and be on company headed paper.
EDF Customer Support Fund
To get a cash grant from EDF you'll first have to register for its priority services.
Once you've done this and the firm has assessed your circumstances you'll be able to apply for an energy grant.
You'll need to have your EDF account number and current energy debt balances ready, along with details of your household finances and vulnerability.
Octopus Energy Assist Fund
Octopus Energy offers a number of support options based on circumstances and need, including access to existing schemes, monetary support from the firms' fund, or a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home.
Octopus is encouraging all customers to get in contact if you're struggling with your bills.
OVO Energy
OVO Energy will soon partner with Charis to offer support to domestic customers who are experiencing hardship through the Charis Let’s Talk Energy Fund.
Details about the scheme remain under wrap for now. However, you can register your interest and get a notification when applications are expected to open this month.
Scottish Power Hardship Fund
Customers could get up to £750 in grants from Scottish Power to help with their energy bills.
You could qualify for help from the Scottish Power Hardship Fund if you’re receiving
- Income Support,
- Job Seekers Allowance,
- Pension Credit, or
- Employment and Support Allowance
If you think you're eligible for the cash grant you can apply online and should get a response within five working days.
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Don't forget about other schemes like the Household Support Fund which could grant you free supermarket vouchers, cash or money off bills depending on where you live.
We've listed top grants and schemes that don't come from energy supplier in this article.
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