Struggling households in the UK have the opportunity to receive financial support for their energy bills, with British Gas offering up to £1,700 through the British Gas Energy Trust. The support is available to both pre-payment and credit customers facing energy debt.
To qualify for the fund, individuals must owe between £50 and £1,700 if they are pre-payment customers, or between £250 and £1,700 if they are credit customers. Additionally, households with an income below £18,723 or living with a disabled person receiving benefits, a Carers Allowance recipient, or a household with three or more children are eligible.
Applicants are advised to seek guidance from organizations like Citizens Advice before applying for the fund. Those who have already been declined assistance by their current energy supplier or have received a grant from British Gas Energy Trust within the past two years are not eligible to apply.
Jessica Taplin, the head of British Gas Energy Trust, expressed satisfaction in reopening the Individuals and Families Fund to support households facing financial challenges due to high energy costs. The fund aims to assist those most in need to maintain warmth and safety within their homes.
The initiative comes at a time when energy bills have increased, with the Ofgem price cap rising to £1,755 for a typical dual fuel household paying by direct debit. The price cap, in effect until December 31, applies to standard variable rate tariffs, determining charges based on energy consumption levels.
While there is a cap on the maximum allowable charges for gas and electricity units, as well as fixed daily standing charges, the total bill is influenced by individual energy usage. Ofgem estimates typical annual costs based on average household consumption levels of electricity and gas.
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