British Gas has relaunched its Energy Support Fund, offering up to £2,000 in assistance to households in England, Scotland, and Wales dealing with energy bills. The fund targets existing British Gas customers facing energy debt or fuel poverty during the winter season.
Households with energy debt ranging from £50 to £2,000 on a pre-payment meter, or £250 to £2,000 on a credit account, are eligible for the support. Applicants must have sought financial guidance from a money advice agency in the past six months or utilized the online budgeting tool during their application process. Interested British Gas customers meeting the criteria can apply through 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 qualify for aid through the Individuals and Families Fund, which provides support for energy debt up to £1,700 on prepayment or credit accounts.
Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, emphasized the importance of assisting customers struggling with escalating household bills. He highlighted a commitment of £140 million towards the largest voluntary energy support initiative in the UK, aimed at combatting energy debt and fuel poverty. O’Shea encouraged individuals concerned about heating their homes during winter to apply for the fund or seek support from advice centers.
Recent increases in energy bills were noted, with the Ofgem energy price cap rising from £1,720 to £1,755 annually starting October 1. This cap determines the expected cost for a typical dual fuel household paying via direct debit, lasting until December 31 before the next update. It is essential to understand that energy bills are based on actual gas and electricity usage, as the price cap limits the charges for energy units and fixed daily standing charges.
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