BRITISH Gas offers a variety of help to its customers that could be worth being aware of if you are struggling this winter.
The UK’s biggest energy supplier was founded back in 1812 and has over eight million customers.
The company has been running a number of schemes to help its customers who are struggling financially.
It comes as millions will see their energy bill rise by £149 this winter after Ofgem‘s new price cap came into force earlier this month.
Households previously paid £1,568 a year but the figure is now set to rise by nearly £150 to £1,717.
The government has also axed its £300 Winter Fuel Payment for over 10million pensioners who are not on means-tested benefits.
British Gas has a fund open to pre-payment meter and credit customers who have found themselves in debt worth up to £1,700.
The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.
This scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
However, if your provider is Ovo Energy, E.ON Next, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Octopus Energy or Utilita it asks your go to them for assistance first.
There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the Individual and Families Fund, including:
Customers with energy debts worth more than £1,700 will not be eligible for support through the fund.
You can check out your eligibility for the scheme here.
Earlier this year, British Gas also launched a £15million “You Pay: We Pay” initiative.
This scheme works by matching 100% of a customer’s energy debt repayments to help them clear their arrears faster.
For example, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100, too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting them back on track sooner.
The scheme opened in June and June and eligible customers will be contacted directly – they won’t need to apply.
A detailed assessment will be made to determine if customers qualify for the scheme but broadly, they must:
You must be a British Gas customer for at least six months to be considered.
British Gas is giving eligible customers £150 worth of extra cash through the government’s Warm Home Discount scheme.
The payment is issued to those on the lowest incomes and is designed to cover the additional heating costs over the colder months.
Households in England and Wales don’t have to apply to get the cash and receive it automatically.
However, some Scottish households do have to apply for the discount.
Eligible households get the cash credited to their electricity bill between October and March 2024.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you need to claim either the guaranteed credit element of pension credit or a different means-tested benefit, including:
If you weren’t claiming any of the above benefits on August 11, 2024, you won’t be eligible for the payment.
You do not need to be a customer at British Gas to get help with your energy bills this winter.
EDF has a customer support fund which on average wipes £1,250 off customers’ bills.
It is available to vulnerable customers experiencing hardship.
To apply, visit EDF’s website and make sure you have details of your account number (find it on your energy bills or EDF emails) and the current debt balance on all EDF accounts you have.
Meanwhile, Octopus Energy offers a range of support, including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
It could also include loaning a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks in your home, which you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.
It also conducts home energy visits to discuss how households can reduce their usage and gives out free electric blankets.
You might also be able to get help with essential costs from your local council through a programme called the Household Support Fund (HSF).
The funding is designed to help people who are vulnerable or can’t afford to pay for necessities like energy bills, water bills, and food.
Some councils offer food vouchers to families during the school holidays, as well through the scheme.
Eligibility criteria vary by council, so you need to check your local authority’s website to see what’s available and how to apply.
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
