A MAJOR energy firm has reopened a scheme which offers hard-up families up to £1,500 in free cash.
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened applications for its Individuals and Family Fund.
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You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund – you can be a British Gas customer or a customer from another supplier.
Successful applicants could get a grant worth up to £1,500 to help with their energy bills.
But to be considered for a grant you must meet all the following criteria:
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You 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
- You have electric and/or gas debt
- You do not have savings above £1,000
- You have received help from a money advice agency
To support your application you’ll need to provide evidence that you’ve received money advice in the last three months. 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.
Several other major energy companies also offer their own energy grant schemes.
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Which other suppliers offer energy grants?
EDF Customer Support Fund
- Applications open? Yes
To get a cash grant from EDF you’ll first have to register for its priority services.
Once you’ve done this and the firm has assessed your circumstances you’ll be able to apply for an energy grant.
You’ll need to have your EDF account number and current energy debt balances ready, along with details of your household finances and vulnerability.
You can apply for the fund on the EDF website.
E.ON and E.ON Next Grants
- Applications open? Yes
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 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.
Depending on your circumstances you’ll be asked to provide the following items of evidence:
- Proof of all household income for yourself and anyone living with you for the current tax year.
- All pages from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) stating your entitlement to a benefit and the amounts due to be paid for the current tax year
- Pension letters for State or private pensions.
- Medical confirmation from the organisation that referred to you the fund or a medical DS1500 form or medical confirmation from a consultant or your doctor.
- Evidence of a budget sheet that was issued to you when you received professional money advice from the FCA-approved agency. The budget sheet must be dated within the last 4 weeks and be on company-headed paper.
You can apply for the fund on the E.ON website.
Octopus Energy Assist Fund
- Applications open? Yes
Octopus Energy offers a number of support options based on circumstances and needs, including access to existing schemes, monetary support from the firm’s fund, or a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home.
Octopus is encouraging all customers to get in contact if they’re struggling with their bills.
You can find out how to apply for the fund on the Octopus Energy website.
Scottish Power Hardship Fund
- Applications open? Yes
Customers could get up to £750 in grants from Scottish Power to help with their energy bills.
You could qualify for help from the Scottish Power Hardship Fund if you’re receiving
- Income support,
- Job seekers allowance,
- Pension credit
- Employment and support allowance
If you think you’re eligible for the cash grant you can apply online and should get a response within five working days.
You can apply for the fund on the Scottish Power website.
What other cost of living help is available?
Councils are dishing out hundreds of pounds to hard-up families through the Household Support Fund.
Millions are also in line to receive cost of living payments worth up to £1,350.
The first instalment of the £900 payment currently being paid to millions on certain benefits, including Universal Credit and Pension Credit, as of April 25
Meanwhile, a £150 payment and between £150-£300 payment will be made to millions with disabilities and pensioners.
You may be entitled to the £150 disability cost of living payment if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Attendance Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance for adults
- Disability Living Allowance for children
- Personal Independence Payment
- Adult Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (in Scotland)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- War Pension Mobility Supplement
If you are eligible for the payment, it will be made this summer.
Meanwhile, pensioners who are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2023/24 will get an extra £150 or £300 paid on top of their normal payment from November this year.
You will be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter if you were born before September 25, 1957.
Those eligible for the payment will receive a letter in October and November telling them how much money to expect.
You should check if you are entitled to any benefits that qualify you for the cost of living payments.
Some charities have benefits calculators that will give you a rough estimate of what you could be in line for. That includes:
- Turn2Us
- Policy in Practice
- EntitledTo
Remember though, these calculators offer estimates of what you could receive, and aren’t 100% accurate.
But they do serve to remind you of what extra help you could be entitled to.
