THOUSANDS of British Gas customers can get up to £750 to help with energy bills after the supplier doubled its hardship fund.
The energy giant has added £2million to its pot for struggling families as the cost of living continues to rise.
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The fund was launched last year to support Brits who have fallen behind on their bill payments.
It will now continue through the summer, after the energy price cap jump in April adds £693 to millions of Brits’ annual bills.
British Gas said the fund is a “response to the increasing cost of living and rising inflation”.
Hard-up households are facing soaring prices in shops and sky-high energy bills.
Inflation hit a 30-year peak of 5.4% in January and is expected to reach 6% by spring.
British Gas customers can apply for grants of between £250 and £750 to write-off chunks of debt.
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We explain who is eligible and how to apply.
Who is eligible for the grants?
To get a grant you need to be living in fuel poverty without savings of more than £1,000.
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.
But if you’ve already had a grant from this fund, you won’t be able to get a second payment.
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.
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“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 was planning to close the scheme at the end of March, but it has now been extended throughout the summer.
It hasn’t confirmed the exact date it will shut after the pot was topped up, but you should 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.
You could also contact your local council to see if you can get help with bills from the household support fund.
Meanwhile, thousands of low income households could save £200 on their energy bills thanks to a new government scheme.
Martin Lewis tells households what to do about energy bills before next price cap announcement
