MILLIONS of households are being urged to apply for free energy grants worth up to £1,700.
Families who have fallen behind on their gas and electricity bills qualify for help through a little-known fund.
The British Gas Individual and Families Fund is open to prepayment meter customers who are in up to £1,700 worth of energy debt.
As energy bills fall today, but with millions still struggling, the energy firm is urging eligible households to get in touch.
Jessica Taplin, chief executive officer of the British Gas Energy Trust, which runs the fund, said: “Unlike customers who pay by direct debit, those on prepayment meters often see their debts taken immediately from any credit they add.
“That means they can run out of energy more quickly, and risk slipping into a cycle of debt that’s much harder to escape.
“Our Individuals and Families Fund provides lifechanging grants to households facing this cycle, and we encourage anyone to check the criteria and apply.”
The Individuals and Families Fund is open to British Gas customers but also those with other firms.
Ordinarily, this excludes those with OVO, Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.
This is because these suppliers have their own energy support funds and you can apply to them directly for help.
However, if your application with one of these firms has been declined, you may then apply to the British Gas Individual and Families Fund.
Eligibility and how to apply
Households on a prepayment meter in England, Scotland or Wales who owe their supplier between £50 and £1,700 are eligible.
You cannot have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years and also won’t qualify if you’re currently in credit.
Meanwhile, you must have a household income of less than £18,723 or someone in the home must be registered disabled and receiving a disability benefit.
That, or someone in your home must be receiving Carer’s Allowance or you live in a household with three or more children.
Crucially, you must have received help from a money advice agency or used Policy in Practice’s “Better Off” calculator in the last six months.
A money advice agency is a body that helps guide you on next steps to tackle troublesome debt, like National Debtline or Citizens Advice.
You can’t get a grant if you’re looking to clear outstanding debt on a closed energy account.
To find out more and apply visit – britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.
Other help you can get with energy bills
If you can’t get help through British Gas’ Individual and Families Fund, you might be able to knock money off your energy bill through the Household Support Fund.
The fund is a giant £742million pot of money that’s been shared between councils in England.
These local authorities are now distributing their share of the fund and can set their own eligibility criteria.
That means what you’re entitled to depends based on where you live, but you will likely qualify for help if you’re on benefits or a low income, and may be able to get energy vouchers or cash.
Speak to your local council about what help is on offer. You can find your nearest by visiting – www.gov.uk/find-local-council.
Depending on what benefits you’re on, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment, the Warm Home Discount or a Cold Weather Payment too.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.
Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories
