MILLIONS of British Gas customers will be hit with higher bills within weeks as energy prices soar.
Household energy costs could jump by around £700 a year from April – here’s what you need to know about the rise.
1
The energy price cap will rise from April 1, increasing to £1,971 a year, meaning millions of Brits are facing higher bills.
Other rising costs, including food prices and council tax, are also putting pressure on household finances.
It’s not just British Gas customers that are affected by the energy bill price hike.
All other suppliers are also putting prices up when the energy price cap rockets next month.
Your supplier should have been in touch to let you know if your bill is changing.
If it hasn’t, give them a call so you don’t get a nasty surprise after April.
How much will British Gas bills rise by?
If you’re on a fixed deal with British Gas you don’t need to worry for now.
You’ll carry on paying the same price as you do now until your deal comes to an end.
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But if you’re on the standard variable tariff, you should expect your bills to increase from April.
That’s because the rate is protected by the energy price cap, which is rising to £1,971 a year – an increase of £700.
British Gas has confirmed it will raise prices in line with the cap, but your actual bill will depend on how much energy you use.
The company said it understands news of the rise will be “difficult” for households.
A British Gas spokesperson said: “The rising cost of living, including the price of energy, is a major concern for UK consumers and we know many of our customers will be deeply worried about Ofgem’s price cap increase coming into effect on April 1.”
Price capped tariffs offered by the supplier include:
- Standard Credit
- Standard PAYG
- Standard Variable
- Safeguard Credit
- PAYG Safeguardv2
- PAYG Safeguard
- FlexiPAYG Mar 2023
- Welcome to British Gas,
- The Peoples Tariff
- Welcome Together
What help can I get if I’m a British Gas customer?
If you’re worried about your energy bills, the first thing you should do is contact your supplier.
Firms may have hardship funds to help you cover bills or be able to arrange a better payment schedule with you.
British Gas set up a fund to help customers who are struggling with their energy bills.
The energy giant opened the £4million pot to give out grants to families who are behind on their payments.
Successful applicants can get up to £750 wiped off their energy bill debts.
British Gas said the fund is a “response to the increasing cost of living and rising inflation”.
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.
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.
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.
A second fund, the British Gas Energy Trust fund, closed to new applicants earlier this week.
What other help is available?
After you’ve been in touch with your supplier, there are other ways your can get extra help or reduce your energy costs.
You should also check that you’re getting all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Use an online benefits calculator to make sure you’re not missing out on any extra cash.
Similarly, you can search for grants that can help you pay for gas and electricity bills.
There are government schemes available to help households pay for energy costs.
Most Brits will get a £150 council tax rebate in April, and a £200 refund on energy bills, to be repaid in instalments at a later date.
You might be eligible for the winter fuel allowance or cold weather payment if you already get other benefits.
Finally, one of the best ways of saving money is to make your home more energy efficient.
Check whether you can reduce your energy use with a simple trick such as putting foil behind your radiator.
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