Gas and electricity bills will hit a record high this winter as the cost of living crisis shows no signs of slowing down. Under the current price cap the average household pays £2,500 a year, but this is set to rise astronomically.
From April next year the Government is lifting the current price cap and households on a standard use tariff will bills rise to £4,350 a year. Which is why British Gas has set aside money to help households pay their energy bill.
The fuel giant has a scheme which gives people who have energy debt up to £1,500 to help them pay their bills and get back on track, and it could be a lifeline for many.
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It comes as National Energy Action (NEA) warned more than eight million UK households will be pushed into fuel poverty this winter. The British Gas Energy Trust Individual and Families Fund offers help to those who are in serious need. And you don't have to be a British Gas customer to apply either - although there's a strict criteria in order to get the fund.
Applicants must show a clear interest in wanting to clear their debts with the grant. For many households, it would be a weight lifting relief.
The criteria is quite stringent, and to be accepted you need to be spending more than 10% of your income on energy, have less than £1,000 in savings (as a household), have previous energy debts of at least £250 or more and show that you have previously sought advice from a debt charity or money adviser.
You also can't have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years.
It can take weeks to claim, but that being said it's a definite lifeline for households desperate to clear their debts before the added energy costs this winter. If you don't qualify for this scheme, British Gas also offer a handful of other support services for those struggling to pay household energy bills.
A British Gas spokesperson said: " We would urge anyone who is struggling with their energy costs to contact us so we can help and put them in touch with the British Gas Energy Trust. The British Gas Energy Trust is a independent charity funded solely by us which offers grants up to £1,500, debt and money advice, benefit checks, fuel vouchers and free energy efficiency measures to all consumers."
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