THOUSANDS of British Gas customers could get up to £750 to help with their energy bills.
The supplier has launched a new hardship fund for customers struggling to pay for gas and electricity amid surging prices.
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The £2million winter fund was launched to support Brits who have fallen behind on their bill payments.
British Gas said it is a “response to the increasing cost of living and rising inflation”.
The cost of living has soared, with higher prices in shops and sky-high energy bills.
Inflation hit a 30-year high of 5.4% earlier this month and is expected to reach 6% by spring.
Customers can apply for grants of between £250 and £750 to write-off chunks of debt, and the average payment so far is £532.
British Gas will hand out 211 grants this month, with a total value of £211,148 – meaning there is still more than £1.75million left to claim.
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The energy giant said that around 75,000 eligible customers still haven’t applied – we explain how to claim.
Who is eligible for the grants?
To get a grant you need to be living in fuel poverty and not have more than £1,000 saved up.
Someone is living in fuel poverty if their energy bills are above average and, once paid, would leave them with income below the poverty line.
This takes into account the energy required to heat your home, the cost of energy and your household income.
You have to be a British Gas customer living in England, Scotland or Wales to apply for the winter fund.
You’ve also got to have an outstanding debt of between £250 to £750 on an open gas or electricity or duel fuel account.
If you’ve received a grant from British Gas in the past, you can still apply if it was through a different scheme.
British Gas estimates that around 75,000 customers who are eligible have not yet applied for the scheme.
How can I apply?
British Gas customers can apply to the fund online.
You’ll need to provide proof of household income, including all of the adults you live with, and a meter reading of your gas and electricity account.
“Please ensure you have these ready to upload when completing your application,” the supplier said.
“We will not be able to progress your application without this information.”
British Gas will close the scheme at the end of March, or when the £2million funding runs out.
That means it’s a good idea to get your application in as soon as possible.
There’s help available if you’re not a British Gas customer, too, as you can apply for its wider hardship fund.
Most energy suppliers have closed their warm home discount schemes, but it’s worth checking if yours is still open.
You could also contact your local council to see if you can get help with bills from the household support fund.
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