The British Gas Energy Support Fund has this week re-opened applications for grants of up to £1,500 to help customers struggling with their energy bills. But funds are limited, and applications should be made as soon as possible.
British Gas’s charity, the British Gas Energy Trust, operates two similar schemes for those living in England, Scotland or Wales, and both were created to reduce existing fuel debts of £250+.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
There has been a change in one of the grants, whereby you can now have more than £1,000 savings in the bank and still be eligible. To qualify, you must be a British Gas customer and in £250+ of energy debt, and meet the list of following criteria:
- – Be a British Gas customer
- – Be in debt of more than £250 on an active gas or electricity account
- – Have income and outgoings assessed by British Gas to ascertain your eligibility
- – Not have had a British Gas Energy Trust grant in the past 12 months
- More information on how to apply can be found HERE.
Individuals and Families Fund
This fund is open to all households, not just British Gas customers, and emains open as an existing fund. However, you can only apply if you’ve already received help from a debt adviser, such as Citizens Advice, National Debtline or StepChange.
You must also:
- – Be in debt of more than £250 on an active gas or electricity account
- – Have less than £1,000 in savings
– Not have had a British Gas Energy Trust grant in the past two years - More information on how to apply can be found HERE.
Which to Choose
If you’re a British Gas customer, it’s best to check the eligibility to see which best suits your needs, as you can only claim one of the above. And remember that you’ll need to provide full evidence of your household income, expenditure and debt.
With other energy companies’ schemes, which are available, you will need to be a customer of theirs to apply, and each company has different application rules and regulations.
Out guide on all the help available at the moment is here.
