Octopus Energy customers can get up to £500 to help with gas and electricity bills

OCTOPUS Energy customers can get up to £500 to help with gas and electricity bills.

The supplier has opened a £2.5million scheme to help households who are struggling with soaring energy costs.

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Gas and electricity prices have rocketed and are set to increase even further this year, with bills expected to rise by around £600 for millions of Brits.

Octopus is offering hard-up families grants of between £50 and £500 and the average pay out so far has been £100.

Octopus has already helped 20,000 customers through the Octo Assist Fund since its launch in November 2021 and is still accepting applications.

There’s no deadline to apply but it is a good idea to make a claim as soon as possible.

Octopus said the fund will remain open until the £2.5million runs out, but it may increase the pot in the future if necessary.

You can apply on the Octopus website by filling out its financial support form.

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There is no specific eligibility criteria, but most of the customers who get support from the fund are in arrears with their bill payments.

However, all applications are decided on a case-by-case basis.

Someone who is in credit and has historically paid their bills on time but has recently suffered a drop in income could be eligible for support, for example.

If you aren’t able to get a cash grant you might be offered other help.

Octopus is offering to loan customers thermal imagery cameras to detect heat leaks in the home.

You can then take steps to make your house more energy efficient and reduce your costs.

The company will also direct you to any other existing schemes you could be eligible for.

For example, you might be able to get a £25 cold weather payment if you claim certain benefits and temperatures have fallen below zero in your local area.

You could also be eligible for help from the government’s £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.

If you’re not an Octopus customer you should get in touch with your supplier to see what support is available.

British Gas customers can get up to £750 wiped off their energy bill debts.

There’s help available if you’re not a British Gas customer, too, as you can apply for its wider hardship fund.

Most energy suppliers have closed their warm home discount schemes, but it’s worth checking if yours is still open.

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk