E.ON, OVO, Octopus, British Gas customers have the opportunity to apply for up to £1,700 in assistance with their energy bills as a fund has reopened, reported by Wales Online. The British Gas Energy Trust is providing grants for energy debt to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers with debt on their credit or pre-payment meter accounts. The Individuals and Families Fund (IFF) reopens as around 10 million elderly individuals are no longer eligible for Winter Fuel Payments. This year, only pensioners in England and Wales who receive specific benefits will be eligible for winter fuel payments ranging from £100 to £300, subject to eligibility conditions.
The Trust was able to support over 5,300 households in 2023-24 with more than £7.8 million in energy debt grants, with over £5.1 million provided to households in England. Jessica Taplin, the Chief Executive Officer of the Trust, encourages applications to the Individuals and Families Fund from those in need of support with their energy debt. The fund aims to assist eligible households across Britain, irrespective of being a British Gas customer. In addition to energy debt grants, the Trust supports 29 money and energy advice projects in community-based charities and social enterprises throughout England.
To apply for the energy debt grants through the Individuals and Families Fund, households must have up to £1,700 in debt on their credit or pre-payment meter accounts. Prior to applying, applicants must receive financial guidance from a money advice agency or utilize the online budgeting tool provided as part of the application process. The fund accepts applications from both British Gas and non-British Gas customers, with the caveat that applicants cannot apply if their energy supplier has its own support fund. Further details on eligibility criteria can be found on the website.
Established in 2004, the British Gas Energy Trust is an independent Charitable Trust funded solely by British Gas. The Trust’s mission is to alleviate the negative impacts of poverty, particularly focusing on fuel poverty. It offers support through three programs: energy grants of up to £2,000 to assist households with fuel debt, a small grants program providing emergency energy vouchers and financial assistance payments, and funding for over 40 money and energy advice projects across Britain.