British Gas have announced a new customer support fund to help households as energy prices soar.
It came less than 24 hours before the new price cap was announced after fears that energy bills would hit over £3,000. It was confirmed today that the price cap will rise by 80 per cent on October 1 and then jump again in January to a gut-wrenching £5,386.71 and a mammoth £6,616.37 in April, according to Cornwall Insight.
Taking to social media, British Gas announced their new support scheme.
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They wrote: "We know we need to do more to help, so today we’re launching a £25m customer support fund. It’s on top of government help, and includes:
• Energy grants
• Debt relief and advice
• Local advice centres & advisors to help manage finances and save on bills."
The British Gas Energy Support Fund will officially open on September 12 and is designed to help British Gas customers with an energy debt of between £250 and £750. Then you can apply via this website.
The energy grant from British Gas has been created to help their customers who are facing financial hardship and are struggling to pay their energy bills.
British Gas said in a statement: "This fund has been set up in response to the increasing cost of living and rising inflation, including Ofgem’s most recent price cap increase. Through the fund thousands of eligible British Gas customers with fuel debt of £250 to £1,500 can apply for grants to help pay their energy bills over the coming months.
The fund will remain open until all the money invested has been awarded."
If you are not a British Gas customer, you can still apply for the British Gas Energy Trust which is open to anyone, no matter their supplier, who are struggling to pay their bills.
To qualify for the Energy Trust, you must;
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household. The energy account must relate to your main residence
- You have electric and / or gas debt
- You do not have savings above £1,000
- You have received help from a money advice agency
You can see more information about the Energy Trust here.
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