The current icy spell the UK is facing has likely forced many to worry about whether they can actually afford to put on the central heating in their home as you really cannot avoid the sky-high cost of energy at the moment.
To help with this, some of the UK’s major energy suppliers are offering financial support to those who are most vulnerable and most likely the hardest hit by bill rises.
Currently, British Gas, E.ON, Octopus and Ovo all offer grants worth hundreds of pounds while others are offering free electric blankets, boiler repairs, and standing charge holidays.
British Gas:
The UK’s biggest energy provider British Gas currently offers help through two different avenues; the British Gas Support Fund and the Individuals and Families Fund.
The Fund is designed to help those with an energy debt of between £250 and £1,500 with the firm providing grants to cover the debt.
To be eligible, you must be a British Gas customer living in England, Scotland, or Wales, and must be in or facing fuel poverty. You must also not have more than £1,000 in savings and can’t have had help from British Gas in the last two years.
You will need to provide proof that you've received money advice in the last three months and will need to show your current household income. You will also need to show a recent meter reading if you’re not on a smart meter.
The second support fund, the Individuals and Families Fund, is support for non-British Gas Customers, so you can receive help from British Gas even if you are a customer from another supplier.
Currently, the British Gas grants don’t have a cut-off date and applications for help are currently open. The energy provider has said it will continue the support throughout the cost of living crisis.
EDF:
EDF offers various schemes which can help customers who are struggling to pay their bills with the energy firm allowing customers to pay in smaller and “more manageable” amounts each month.
It also offers the EDF Customer Support Fund which can provide you with cash grants of up to help manage household energy debts.
To get a grant, you will first have to register for EDF’s priority services and the energy supplier will then assess you based on your circumstances. If you are approved you will then be able to get a grant.
You'll need to have your EDF account number and current energy debt balances ready, along with details of your household finances and vulnerability.
E.ON:
Customers of E.ON and E.ON Next can apply for support through cash grants from the E.ON Energy Fund.
The fund doesn’t have established criteria that you need to meet to get the funds, but E.ON said the fund “aims to help as many people as possible” and applications from individuals with the greatest needs “will be prioritised”.
The amount you can get depends on your circumstance as the fund could help to pay energy bill arrears and provide replacement appliances like cookers, fridges, and gas boilers.
E.ON supplies the grants on a “three-month Provisional Award Scheme” which means you will need to show a “commitment to achieving financial sustainability”.
To apply, you’ll need your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading and depending on your circumstances you'll be asked to provide further evidence such as household income, benefit letters, or medical information.
OVO:
Since October 1, Ovo Energy offers its customers access to a £50million support package - called Ovo's debt and energy assistance - which includes help such as debt repayment holidays for prepayment meter customers and free products for your home.
This support is also open to customers of Boost and SSE.
You can have your bill reduced by 15% if you’re struggling, and OVO can also create a bespoke payment plan for up to three years to better manage your bills.
The energy firm has also increased its emergency credit from £5 to £15 for prepayment customers and will offer regular check-ins through the winter months.
OVO will also support those in need by providing smart thermostats and electric throws, you can also claim a free boiler service worth £90.
You can apply for the support online or through the app and you will need to fill out a form answering questions about your income and medical needs.
You will need to provide details like your name, account number, address, date of birth, annual household income, monthly disposable income, and whether you receive any benefits.
OVO’s support is available now until March 31, 2023.
Octopus Energy:
Octopus Energy offers customers support through its OctoAssist Fund. The scheme offers a number of support options based on circumstances and needs and there is no set limit for the help.
If you get in touch with Octopus then they can provide access to existing schemes, financial support from the firm’s fund, a loan of a thermal imagery camera to find heat leaks at home, or a free electric blanket.
Octopus also offers those most in need a standing charge holiday of up to six months.
You can apply for the OctoAssist fund online by filling out an online tool that will ask you questions about your financial situation.
Scottish Power:
Scottish Power offers those struggling help from its Hardship Fund which can clear or reduce arrears by your Scottish Power account which can help get energy payments under control.
You can qualify for help if you claim certain benefits, have a low household income or have special circumstances.
To get the help, you will first have to contact a recognised debt advice agency such as StepChange Debt which can then refer you to Scottish Power and allow you to apply for the Hardship Fund online.
It takes about five days for Scottish Power to get back to you to confirm whether your application has been approved, if it has the firm will advise the next steps.
