Exact date £2,000 energy grants from UK’s biggest supplier will END – how to get the ‘lifeline’ bill help now

ENERGY grants from the UK’s biggest supplier are due to end in days.

The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is set to close on Friday, March, 8.

1

The fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.

The support was made available to both British Gas and Non British Gas customers with debt on a credit energy account or a pre-payment meter.

If you are a credit account customer and you have already submitted your application before March 4, you will need to make sure that you have completed it in full.

This means that if you have been asked to supply further information by British Gas and fail to do so by the cut-off date, your application will be declined.

Energy customers could previously get up to £1,500 in help from the fund, but it was recently increased by £500 due to the number of people still struggling with living costs.

There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the fund, and we have listed them here:

• Have energy debt up to £1,500 and have a credit energy account, or use a pre-payment meter in your main residence
• The energy account must be in the name of the applicant
• You must live in England, Scotland or Wales.
• Have not received a grant from British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years.
• You must be seeking a grant to clear outstanding debt
• Have electric and or gas debt
• Facing fuel poverty
• Have received help from a money advice agency

If your application is successful your energy account will be credited with the grant.

Mum-of-three, Farzana Ali got over £1,000 of help from the British Gas fund when she fell into debt during the pandemic.

She said: “I was so shocked when they said they were going to pay the whole debt for me.

“It was just such a relief, I can’t explain how relieved I felt.”

It is important to be aware that this is not a cash payment, it is a grant credited to your energy account.

You can find out if you are eligible on the British Gas website, or you can visit one of the British Gas Post Office pop-ups.

By visiting one of the pop-ups you will be able to speak to someone in person about the grant and also get free money and energy advice.

A list of all of the locations where this service is available can be found on the British Gas website.

If you are a British Gas customer there is additional help available to you by way of the Energy Support Fund.

This extra support is still available regardless of whether customers have a credit account or pre-payment meter.

What is the Energy Support Fund?

The fund is available for British Gas customers only, and it offers between £250 and £1,500 to those with electric or gas debt.

You will need to meet the following criteria to be considered for a grant from the British Gas Energy Support Fund:

• Live in England, Scotland or Wales
• Have not received a grant from British Gas Energy Trust in the last 12 months
• Have electric and/or gas debt between £250 – £2,000
• You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty  
• You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, the energy account must relate to your main residence 

Proof of income will be required at the point of application.

This will be considered alongside household outgoings to determine if you are in or at risk of fuel poverty.

What other help is available?

Most energy suppliers have a discretionary grant scheme to help support their most vulnerable customers.

Grants vary by supplier and, of course, the exact amount you’ll get will depend on your own financial circumstances.

Here’s a full list of other energy suppliers offering grants.

EDF

The EDF customer support fund can help customers who are in debt or facing financial difficulties.

It can also provide help in buying energy-efficient white goods to help customers reduce their bills long term.

To get a cash grant from EDF, you’ll need to be a customer and sign up for the Priority Services Register.

When you have done this and your circumstances have been assessed you will be able to apply for an energy grant.

The fund is open for customers to apply and there is currently no end date for applications.

Scottish Power

Customers of Scottish Power could get up to £750 in grants from its hardship fund to help with their energy bills.

You could qualify for help if you’re receiving one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• Job Seekers Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance

You can make an application online and should get a response within five working days.

If your application is successful you will be contacted advised of the next steps.

Scottish Power offers the fund all year round, so hard-up customers can apply now.

Octopus Energy

Octopus Energy offers a range of support including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.

It could also include the loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home that you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.

It also does home energy visits to help discuss how households can reduce their usage. Plus it gives out free electric blankets.

Octopus is encouraging all customers to get in contact if they’re struggling with their bills.

Octo Assist fund is still open for applications and there is no deadline for customers to apply.

E.ON

Customers of both E.ON and E.ON Next can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.

E.ON doesn’t have an established eligibility criteria but the fund aims to help as many people as possible and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised. 

In order to complete your application, you will need to know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading.

You can apply online via the Eon website.

You’ll be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, for example, proof of household income or DWP benefit payments.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk