MUM-OF-THREE Farzana Ali was left over a grand in debt to British Gas after being signed off work with stress.
The 42-year-old midday assistant, who helps to serve school meals in Dagenham, Essex where she lives, found herself unable to afford to pay her energy bills during the pandemic.
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She was forced to stay at home for months as she and her son Aaban, now 15, were considered at high risk of complications if they got Covid.
After multiple lockdowns homeschooling Aaban and her two daughters Eliza, now 14, and Zahra, now 9, Farzana was exhausted.
Even so, she returned to work three days a week to up her income.
It was too much, and Farzana was signed off work with depression due to financial stress for two months.
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“I was stressed and upset,” she told The Sun.
“I’d got seriously behind on my gas and electricity bills during the pandemic and then I was only earning statutory sick pay. It wasn’t enough.”
Some companies continue to pay employees their full salary while they are on sick leave.
Usually this is limited to a maximum number of weeks, often around four to six, after which you’re switched onto statutory sick pay (SSP).
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SSP is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks and currently entitles you to just £109.40 per week.
Farzana said: “I was really struggling – and worried about being able to pay my council tax and other bills too.
“I didn’t know what to do or who to turn to. I’m not the sort of person who tells other people their problems.”
Help was on hand
By the time she was £1,100 in debt to her supplier, British Gas, Farzana received a phone call from them.
“The lady who called was really nice and easy to talk to,” Farzana said.
“I explained about my son and me being high risk for Covid and then the stress of being off work.
“She listened and was really kind and then she told me about a scheme that could help me.”
British Gas put Farzana in touch with the British Gas Energy Trust for support.
The trust is an independent charity, separate from but solely funded by British Gas.
It offers support to individuals across the country with up to £1,500 of energy bill arrears.
And, you don’t have to be a British Gas customer – anyone can access the free cash.
There are two types of grants on offer – energy debt relief grants which will clear your arrears.
They can also give smaller energy grants to help you cope with short-term emergencies.
Charity representatives can also negotiate with your energy supplier on your behalf to find the best way to deal with any arrears you have.
“I spoke to another lady there and they helped me fill out forms and asked questions about what I was having to spend each month and why I had been off sick,” Farzana explained.
Two weeks later, she received a letter saying she was eligible for a grant.
“I was so shocked when they said they were going to pay the whole debt for me,” she said.
“It was just such a relief, I can’t explain how relieved I felt.”
It took another five days and her debt was cleared.
“I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “My balance was zero – it’s made it so much easier to maintain my payments.
“I’m so grateful and happy they could help me – I’m making sure I don’t get into arrears again and it’s easier now I’m back at work.”
Don’t suffer in silence
One in four UK adults is struggling with their mental wellbeing because of the cost of living crisis, research from British Gas Energy Trust shows.
The charity has urged anyone worried about paying their energy bills to visit one of its British Gas Post Office Pop-Ups as soon as they can.
Anyone can go along and get free, confidential money and energy advice.
The pop-ups can be found at selected Post Offices across England, Scotland and Wales between September 2023 and March 2024.
They are mainly in areas with the highest need such as Glasgow, Edinburgh and Leicester.
You can find your nearest British Gas Post Office Pop-Up online at www.britishgas.co.uk/post-office-pop-up-advice.
Money and energy advisers will be on-site to explain how the grants work and how you can apply.
They will also be able to point you towards any local organisations for ongoing support.
And they’ll help you check for benefits entitlements and provide free energy-saving tips and advice.
It’s possible you’ll qualify for a free energy debt grant of up to £1,500 and even £2,000 in exceptional circumstances.
To be considered for the help you must meet the following criteria:
- Live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You will have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years
- 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
- Have electric and/or gas debt
- Not have savings above £1,000
- Have received help from a money advice agency
When applying you will need to provide evidence that you’ve received debt advice in the last three months.
You can use moneyhelper.org.uk to find a free debt advisor near you.
You’ll also need proof of your current household income.
British Gas customers will also need a recent meter reading – unless they’re on a smart meter.
You can apply for the fund on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
If you’re a British Gas customer and you’re struggling to pay your bill, you can contact their customer service team on 0333 202 9804.
There are several other supplier hardship funds and grants on off, plus charity schemes and help from local councils.
You can find the details of what’s on offer in our guide.
We’ve also included a round-up below.
To anyone worrying about how to pay their energy bills Farzana said: “Ask for help. There is nothing to be ashamed of.”
She added: “Things are so difficult at the moment with the cost of living – that help is there so just ask for it.
“It’s made my life so much better.”
To get help, visit a British Gas Post Office Pop-Up or contact the British Gas Energy Trust.
There are also 45 money and energy advice charities funded by the trust offering in-person, confidential support across England, Scotland and Wales.
Other grants and schemes
Many energy suppliers offer grants and other schemes to help customers struggling with energy bills.
Scottish Power offers its own customers grants to help clear arrears through its hardship fund.
To be eligible, you must be receiving benefits including, Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance and meet other criteria.
The E.on Next Energy Fund is available for those who are experiencing financial hardship.
There are two options available, one offers help with paying gas and electricity bills through grants.
The second option replaces household appliances that have broken down such as cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines.
Ovo customers who are struggling as a result of rising energy prices can access a £50million customer support package.
Direct debit customers have access to an online payment support tool, which can be accessed on the Ovo website.
Ovo has also increased its emergency credit from £5 to £15 for prepayment customers.
Shell has a £20million fund that has helped thousands of its customers with financial support.
If you are struggling they advise you to contact them to discuss your situation so that they can work out the best way to help.
Octopus offers a range of support including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
What you can get depends on your circumstances and needs.
Direct bill support could include vouchers up to £500 or a payment holiday.
What other energy bill help is there?
A number of organisations are offering free cash to hard-up households feeling the pinch.
The Household Support Fund was set to finish on March 31, but has since been extended until March 31, 2024.
The fund sees local councils across England allotted a maximum amount of money they can share between residents in their area.
The cash can be issued as a direct payment or in the form of vouchers, and some authorities may offer help specifically for energy bills.
Each local council can decide its own eligibility criteria, but usually help is handed out to those on a low income or benefits.
If you want to know what help you might be able to get, you should contact your local council.
If you don’t know what council area you fall under, you can use the government’s council locator online.
Customers on traditional or smart prepayment meters can usually get what’s known as “emergency credit” if they have no money left on their meter.
But the credit has to be paid back eventually.
A number of providers offer an emergency credit option, including Scottish Power, Octopus Energy and British Gas.
But the amounts they offer differ, so you should contact yours to find out what you can get.
gain, customers on a prepayment meter can get one-off vouchers to top up.
The help comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity and is offered through local organisations such as food banks and Citizens Advice.
The best thing to do is contact your local council and see if you might be able to get a voucher.
Failing this, you can try your energy provider, who might be able to step in and help.
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This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk
