MILLIONS of British Gas customers are being urged to look out for letters on doormats detailing how they can claim energy bill help.
The energy firm is writing to older customers urging them to take up pension credit after Labour changed the winter fuel payment eligibility criteria.
From this winter the payments will be means-tested and will only be given to people receiving pension credit and several other benefits.
The cash was previously available to anyone over the age of 66 regardless of their financial situation.
British Gas will write to two million people of pension age and above, encouraging them to take up pension credit if they are eligible.
The company is also set to reopen its annual winter scheme, providing financial help for customers.
This year, around £40 million more will go towards measures like matching debt repayments and support grants.
The company has also upped the maximum grant it will hand out, from £1,500 to £2,000. The announcement follows similar commitments from other suppliers.
British Gas is the UK’s second-largest power firm by customer numbers.
Chris O’Shea, chief executive of British Gas’ parent firm Centrica, said that while some cost of living pressures had eased, the crisis is “far from over” for many households.
“At the end of each week or month there will be those that have little, if any, money left after paying for life’s essentials.
“We are committed to ensuring that all pensioners are fully informed about their eligibility for pension credit, which can make a significant difference in their financial wellbeing.”
What is the British Gas energy support fund?
The British Gas Energy Support Fund will begin accepting new applications from Monday (November 4), providing grants to customers facing difficulties paying their bills.
Any British Gas or Scottish Gas energy customer who is struggling to pay their energy bill and has sought financial and energy advice is eligible to apply for support.
Successful applicants could receive a grant of up to £2,000 to help with outstanding debts – £500 more than what was available to households last winter.
To be considered for a grant, you must meet the following criteria:
- Reside in England, Scotland, or Wales
- Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the past 12 months
- Have either a credit or prepayment meter with an outstanding account debt
Proof of income will be required at the point of application.
This will be assessed alongside household outgoings to determine if you are in or at risk of fuel poverty.
Customers must also have to have been receiving help from a money advice or guidance agency within the last six months to be eligible.
This could include support from charities like Citizens Advice or StepChange.
To apply, you’ll need to visit britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.
The fund that reopens on Monday is strictly for British Gas customers only.
Crucial to claim Pension Credit if you can
HUNDREDS of thousands of pensioners are missing out on Pension Credit.
The Sun’s Assistant Consumer Editor Lana Clements explains why it’s imperative to apply for the benefit..
Pension Credit is designed to top up the income of the UK’s poorest pensioners.
In itself the payment is a vital lifeline for older people with little income.
It will take weekly income up to to £218.15 if you’re single or joint income to £332.95.
Yet, an estimated 800,000 don’t claim this support. Not only are they missing on this cash, but far more extra support that is unlocked when claiming Pension Credit.
With the winter fuel payment – worth up to £300 now being restricted to pensioners claiming Pension Credit – it’s more important than ever to claim the benefit if you can.
Pension Credit also opens up help with housing costs, council tax or heating bills and even a free TV licence if you are 75 or older.
All this extra support can make a huge difference to the quality of life for a struggling pensioner.
It’s not difficult to apply for Pension Credit, you can do it up to four months before you reach state pension age through the government website or by calling 0800 99 1234.
You’ll just need your National Insurance number, as well as information about income, savings and investments.
What if I’m not with British Gas?
Another fund offered by the same firm can help support customers at other suppliers.
The British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund has been accepting applications from those struggling with energy debt since September.
The Individual and Families Fund was first set up in 2021 to help households struggling with energy debt.
However, unlike other energy supplier grants, this scheme’s support is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
Energy customers could previously get up to £1,500 in help from the fund, but it has increased to £1,700 this winter to help an increasing number of households in debt.
However, not everyone will be eligible for a grant under the British Gas Energy Trust’s scheme.
There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the Individual and Families Fund, including:
- Pre-payment meter customers must have between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt
- Credit customers must have between £250 and £1,700 of energy debt
- You live in England, Scotland, or Wales
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account. The account must be in your name and relate to your main residence
- You have received help from a money advice agency within the last six months
Customers with energy debts worth more than £1,700 will not be eligible for support through the fund.
Although British Gas Energy Trust welcomes applications from customers of all energy suppliers, it is recommended that customers from the following companies first seek assistance through their own hardship schemes:
- Ovo Energy
- E.ON Next
- EDF Energy
- Scottish Power
- Octopus Energy
- Utilita
If you are rejected by your own energy company’s hardship fund, apply to the British Gas Energy Trust’s Individual and Families Fund by visiting www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.
What do other suppliers offer?
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 Energy
EDF’s Consumer Support Fund provides grants to support vulnerable customers struggling with energy debt.
Grants are given to help clear debt and to help fund the provision of essential white goods, such as fridges or cookers.
You can apply to the scheme at EDF’s Let’s Talk website by visiting www.forms.lets-talk.online/Login
But before you can apply for funding, you need to sought independent debt advice.
You will also need to provide your EDF account number, current debt balance and details of your household finances and vulnerability.
E.ON Next
Customers of 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.
You must know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading to complete your application.
As part of your application, you’ll also be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as proof of household income or DWP benefit payments.
Find out more, including how to apply, by visiting www.eonnextenergyfund.com.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy offers a range of support, including cash from its Octopus Energy Assist Fund.
It could also include loaning a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks in your home, which you can fix to reduce energy usage and your bill.
It also conducts home energy visits to discuss how households can reduce their usage and 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 customers have no deadline for applying.
Find out more by visiting www.octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist.
ScottishPower
ScottishPower has handed out more than £60m in support to customers experiencing difficulties in paying their energy bills, through its Hardship Fund.
You could qualify for help from the fund if you receive support from the following benefits:
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s allowance
- Income support
- Housing benefit
- Universal Credit
- Tax credits
- Pension credit savings credit
Help could also be available if you have a low household income or if special circumstances, such as illness, have impacted your earnings.
To apply you’ll first need to sought advice from debt charity Step Change by calling 0800 138 1111.
You’ll then need to apply for funding through Scottish Power‘s scheme by visiting www.support.sigmaconnected.com/scottish-power-hardship-fund
If your application is successful, the fund can wipe all or part of your energy debt.
Utilita
Utilita Giving is Utilita’s charity partner and offers grants to vulnerable customers to help clear energy debt.
The fund provides grants to wipe or reduce energy debts.
However, it’s only available to customers on legacy credit meter.
To find out more and how to apply, visit www.utilitagiving.org/helping-hand-fund.
Utility Warehouse
Utility Warehouse offers financial assistance to customers struggling with their bills.
Citizens Advice Plymouth operates the scheme, which also provides Utility Warehouse customers with budgeting advice and benefits assessments.
The hardship fund allows for debt write-offs worth between £1,000 and £2,000, depending on individual circumstances.
To find out more and how to apply, visit www.help.uw.co.uk/article/billing_and_payments/Payment-help/uw-hardship-fund.
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