British Gas set to hand customers payments of up to £2,000

A major energy firm is set to give hard-up households up to £2,000 off bills this winter. The British Gas Energy Support Fund will begin accepting new applications from Monday, 4 November, providing grants to customers facing difficulties paying their bills.

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity that funds frontline advice services in local communities providing free 1-2-1 money, benefits, and energy efficiency advice - no matter which supplier you’re with, they say.

They also run a direct access energy debt programme - awarding grants to households to write off energy debt and fund emergency fuel credit through some trusted partners. Successful applicants could receive a grant of up to £2,000 to help with outstanding debts.

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That is £500 more than what was available to households last winter. Customers must reside in England, Scotland, or Wales and have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the past 12 months and have either a credit or prepayment meter with an outstanding account debt.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, said in a statement this week: “Since the Trust was founded 20 years ago, it has made significant difference to the lives of the most financially vulnerable people in communities across Britain.

“The ongoing cost of living crisis will continue to hit the poorest people the hardest and, as an organisation, our ambition is to deliver the help and support needed to break the cycle of energy deprivation and help people avoid the burden of energy debt.

“We are forever grateful for the support we receive from British Gas as their funding makes all our work possible. The £20 million donation will allow us to continue to help people in financial hardship meet their energy needs and improve their money management skills.”