Help you can get if you’re struggling to pay your energy bills
Major energy companies still have money on hand to help vulnerable families stay warm as the winter weather bites. Millions of pounds worth in grants is available to give to households struggling to pay for their energy bills, and you can even apply to one - British Gas - whether you're a customer or not. The money could be vital for struggling households facing sharply-rising costs in the colder months.
From April, prices will rise again by 20% on average under the Energy Price Guarantee, with a typical bill rising from GBP2,500 a year to GBP3,000 a year. Many grants have already been paid out, but energy companies still have money - sometimes up to thousands of pounds - to support households experiencing financial difficulties. Read more: All the big money changes to look out for in 2023 month by month
In mid-December British Gas, for example, had GBP7.5 million still available to dish out, and Octopus had GBP15 million to be claimed. Meanwhile, EDF, E.on Next, Ovo, and Shell Energy told Money Saving Expert they all still had funds available - though they wouldn't give exact figures. Scottish Power and Utility Warehouse's grant schemes are also still open for applicants.
Bulb, which was sold to Octopus Energy just before Christmas, is no longer taking new applications. Whether your supplier offers support, who qualifies, and how much you'll get varies. Scottish Power, for example, requires people to be on certain benefits, while Utility Warehouse requires people to be in fuel poverty, or about to go into energy debt.
Most suppliers require applicants to have spoken to a debt adviser such as StepChange before applying, complete an income and expenditure budgeting form, provide proof of income, give details of how arrears have built up, and detail how the grant will help them. Those deemed to have the greatest need are likely to be prioritised. One supplier, British Gas, has a scheme open to all customers, regardless of whether they buy their energy from British Gas or not.
The grant, from the British Gas Energy Trust, will pay up to GBP1,500 to households in In fuel debt of GBP250 or more and with no savings over GBP1,000. You can't apply if you have had a British Gas grant in the past two years. More details are here.
British Gas also has a scheme specifically for its customers. More details are below. British Gas
Name of fund: Energy Support Fund Maximum payment: GBP1,500 Criteria to apply:
- Can't have had British Gas grant in past 12 months
- In fuel debt of GBP250 or more (no requirement regarding maximum savings, though income and outgoings will be assessed)
EDF
Name of fund: Customer Support Fund Maximum payment: No set limit - depends on your circumstances Criteria to apply:
- Experiencing hardship, or struggling to manage energy debt
Eon Next
Name of fund: Energy Fund Maximum payment: No set limit - depends on your circumstances Criteria to apply:
- No set criteria, but based on needs and ability to pay energy bills
Octopus
Name of fund: Octo Assist Fund Maximum payment: No set limit - depends on your circumstances Criteria to apply:
- No specific eligibility criteria
Ovo Energy
Name of fund: Hardship Scheme Maximum payment: Supplier wouldn't confirm Criteria to apply:
- Full criteria not yet published but likely to include those in energy debt with little/no disposable income, those using medical equipment and those eligible for the Warm Home Discount
Scottish Power
Name of fund: Hardship Fund Maximum payment: Varies depending on need and funds available Criteria to apply:
- In receipt of: income support, jobseeker's allowance, pension credit, or employment and support allowance
Shell Energy
Name of fund: Support Fund Maximum payment: No set limit - depends on your circumstances Criteria to apply:
- No specific eligibility criteria
Utility Warehouse
Name of fund: Customer Support Scheme (run in conjunction with Citizens Advice)
Maximum payment: Supplier wouldn't confirm
Criteria to apply:
- In fuel poverty, or about to go into energy debt or run out of prepay credit
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