EDF has boosted the amount of cash available to help desperate families struggling to pay their energy bills to over £10million.
The energy supplier has added an extra £5million to its customer support fund, which helps customers in debt or facing financial difficulties.
1
Earlier this year, £1.4million had already been put into the pot of funding, which means there is now £6.4million available to help families as they battle against soaring bills.
Funding dished out can also be put towards buying energy efficient appliances to help them drive down their bills in the long-term.
There is also EDF’s existing £4million Warm Homes Discount help, where families can get a one-off payment worth £140 that is knocked off their bills.
It means EDF has £10.4million of cash available for those most in need this year.
That’s double the funding that was available last year, which stood at £5.2million.
It comes as millions of families saw their energy bills double at the beginning of the month, with £700 added to the average household bill.
That’s because the energy price cap, which limits how much suppliers can charge customers for their energy, jumped 54%, with even further rises expected in October.
It’s meant that families have been struggling to pay for the eye-watering bill hikes – with many choosing between heating and eating.
Most read in Money
It comes as a number of energy suppliers have launched schemes giving out more cash help to hard-up households pay their bills.
Shell Energy and British Gas have increased their own hardship funds to help customers.
And Octopus Octopus doubled its own fund for hard-up households from £2.5million to £5million.
How do I apply for EDF’s bills fund
You can apply online for EDF’s customer support fund.
You’ll have to fill in an online form – which you can do so on its website.
The fund is run by a Charis, which is an organisation that runs energy bill support funds on behalf of a number of big suppliers like EDF and E.ON.
You will have to sign up for an account.
Funding will be given on a case-by-case basis, and EDF said you must continue to pay your bills while your application is being processed.
EDF isn’t the only one dishing out help.
Here are other energy companies who have their own hardship fund – and here’s links so you can apply to them:
How else can I get help with my bills?
There are other schemes in place to help with rising energy costs.
The government is giving all households a £200 discount on their bills in April – but you’ll have to pay this back.
You could also be eligible for help from the £500million Household Support Fund.
Councils across the country are offering help with essential costs, including bills and food.
The help available varies across the country, so contact your local authority to find out what’s on offer in your region.
Most energy suppliers have closed their warm home discount schemes, but it’s worth checking if yours is still open.
British Gas customers can get up to £750 wiped off their energy bill debts.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Online Money team?
