Britons who are struggling with high energy bills may be able to claim a grant worth up to £2,000 from British Gas.
According to the energy provider, over 21,000 grants have been distributed since 2021 through its independent charity, the British Gas Energy Trust.
Previously, grants worth up to £1,500 were available, but the amount has now been increased to £2,000.
There are two types of grants currently available, the Individuals and Family Fund and the British Gas Energy Support Fund, and each has different eligibility criteria.
Here is a rundown of the terms of both grants and how to apply for each.
The Individuals and Family Fund
The Individual and Families Fund re-opened on December 4 and will expect to close at the end of March 2024, unless the money is expended sooner.
The fund is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers with debt on a credit energy account or those on a pre-payment meter.
People can apply for the grant if:
- They have energy debt up to £2,000 and have a credit energy account or use a Pre-Payment Meter in their main residence and the energy account must be in the name of the applicant
- They live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- They have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years
- They have received help from a money advice agency
- They must be in or facing Fuel Poverty.
People must also be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual-fuel energy account in their name and the energy account must relate to their main residence.
If a person’s application is successful, their energy account will be credited with the grant. However, it should be noted the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
To apply for the British Gas Energy Support Fund, people must be a British Gas credit or pre-payment meter customer living in England, Scotland or Wales.
The following must also apply:
- They have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 12 months
- They must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in their name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to their main residence
- Have electric and/or gas debt between £250 to £2,000
- They must be in or facing Fuel Poverty
- They have received help from a money advice or guidance agency.
Fuel poverty in England is measured using the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE) indicator. Under this indicator, a household is considered to be in fuel poverty if the following two conditions apply:
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They are living in a property with a fuel poverty energy efficiency rating of band D or below
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When they spend the required amount to heat their home, they are left with a residual income below the official poverty line.
If the criteria are met, customers may be eligible for a Trust grant, which can be applied for here.
Several other energy suppliers also offer support funds which are restricted to their customers only. These include Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, OVO, Boost, SSE and Octopus.
Customers of these companies are urged to apply to them directly first so British Gas can help those who cannot access energy bill debt.
