British Gas shaving up to £2,000 off households' energy bills

The British Gas Energy Trust, a charity funded solely by British Gas, has reopened its Energy Support Fund for applications. The fund offers crucial financial aid to households struggling with energy debt as living costs rise and temperatures fall.

Grants of up to £2,000 are available to British Gas customers with credit and prepayment meter accounts, helping to clear outstanding energy debts. This initiative complements the existing Individuals and Families Fund, which aids both British Gas and non-British Gas customers in reducing energy debt.

A recent survey by British Gas revealed that 39% of adults struggle to manage their bills, yet nearly half (45%) have not sought help due to perceived ineligibility (34%), stigma (28%), and lack of information (26%). As winter approaches, 42% are concerned about managing their finances.

In response, the British Gas Energy Trust is partnering with the Post Office and eight community-based charities to offer free drop-in events across the UK, providing budget planning, energy debt advice, and information on energy-saving measures.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, proclaimed: "This winter is likely to be as challenging as the last, and the British Gas Energy Trust are committed to helping people get back on top of their energy bills before the really cold weather arrives", reports the Daily Record.

She further explained: "The reopening of the Energy Support Fund offers eligible households an opportunity to clear up to £2,000 of energy debt, helping ensure that people can keep their homes warm and healthy this winter."

Sharing a success story, the Trust highlighted the case of Miss M, a 27 year old living in a housing association property, who is both registered disabled and a full-time carer for her disabled 5 year old child. Miss M's circumstances require her to maintain a warm home due to her child's complex care needs, and she has been striving for financial stability with support from StepChange.

Through the British Gas Energy Trust grant, she received aid amounting to £1,341.

Support available from British Gas Energy Trust

• Debt Relief Grants - Provides eligible households with grants of up to £2,000 to clear energy debt.
• Emergency Small Grants - Fuel vouchers provided through our community support programme and trusted partners for immediate energy needs.
• Community Support Programme - Funds over 41 charities across Britain, including Citizens Advice offices, to deliver budget planning, benefits guidance and energy efficiency advice.
• White Goods Programme - Essential appliances are available to qualifying households through our community support programme.

Over the past year, the Trust has granted over £16 million in energy debt relief and an additional £2 million in emergency fuel vouchers to support households facing financial difficulties.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Energy Support Fund:

• Be a British Gas customer living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Have energy debt between £50 - £2,000 on a prepayment meter or £250 - £2,000 on a credit account
• Be experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty
• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months
• Have not received a grant from the Trust in the past 12 months

Eligibility for the Individuals and Families Fund

For the Individuals and Families Fund, which is open to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers, eligibility includes:

• Having energy debt up to £1,700 on a credit or prepayment meter account
• Be living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Be seeking assistance with energy debt related to the primary residence
• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months

How to Apply

The British Gas Energy Trust encourages anyone in need of support to apply or to learn more about eligibility criteria through the Trust’s website here.