British Gas has relaunched its Energy Support Fund, offering households in England, Scotland, and Wales the opportunity to receive up to £2,000 in aid for their energy bills.
The fund is targeted at current British Gas customers facing energy debt or at risk of fuel poverty during the winter season. Eligible households must have energy debt ranging from £50 to £2,000 on a pre-payment meter, or £250 to £2,000 on a credit account.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must have sought help from a financial advisory agency within the last six months or utilized the online budgeting tool provided in the application process. Interested customers meeting the criteria can submit their applications on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
Last year, nearly 6,000 households in England, Scotland, and Wales benefited from the Energy Support Fund. Non-British Gas customers may also qualify for support through the Individuals and Families Fund, which offers assistance for energy debt of up to £1,700 on either prepayment or credit accounts.
Centrica’s Chief Executive, Chris O’Shea, emphasized the company’s commitment to supporting customers facing financial challenges during the winter months. With a pledge of £140 million, the largest voluntary energy support initiative in the UK, Centrica aims to combat energy debt and fuel poverty effectively.
O’Shea encouraged individuals worried about heating their homes this winter to apply for the fund or seek advice from support centers. This initiative follows a recent increase in energy prices, with the Ofgem energy price cap rising from £1,720 to £1,755 per year starting October 1.
The price cap limits the charges for gas and electricity units, as well as fixed daily standing charges, applicable to typical dual fuel households paying through direct debit. This cap will remain in effect until December 31, when it will be revised again.
It is important to note that while there is a price cap in place, your energy bill is determined by your actual gas and electricity consumption. The price cap regulates the costs of energy units and standing charges associated with connecting to the energy network.
