Struggling households have the opportunity to receive up to £1,700 in energy support from British Gas, even if they are not customers. The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individual and Families Fund for households with energy debt. Eligibility criteria include owing between £50 and £1,700 for pre-payment customers, or between £250 and £1,700 for credit customers.
Households with a household income below £18,723 or living with a registered disabled person receiving disability benefits, a Carers Allowance recipient, or residing in a household with three or more children can apply. Applicants should seek advice from free money advice charities like Citizens Advice before applying for the fund.
Applicants cannot apply if their energy supplier offers a similar scheme, have been declined help by their energy supplier, or have received a grant from British Gas Energy Trust within the previous two years. Jessica Taplin, the British Gas Energy Trust boss, emphasized the importance of reopening the fund to provide essential support to households struggling with high energy costs.
With energy bills increasing, the Ofgem price cap for a typical dual fuel household has risen to £1,755. The price cap, effective until December 31, applies to standard variable rate tariffs. However, the cap does not restrict the total energy costs based on usage. It limits charges for gas and electricity units and fixed daily standing charges for energy network connection. Ofgem estimates typical annual consumption at 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas for an average household.
