Several energy firms are handing out as much as £2,000 to energy customers who are struggling to pay this year, despite the loss of the £300 Winter Fuel Payment for most state pensioners.
It’s not terribly well publicised, but firms including British Gas, Octopus Energy, E.On and EDF all have grants and other support totalling around £2,000, including for state pensioners who will no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance.
The Winter Fuel Payment of £300 has been made a lot more difficult to claim, changed from being an automatic payment for all state pensioners to a benefit with certain eligibility rules that must be met, such as claiming a qualifying benefit.
British Gas has £200M set aside to support customers facing financial difficulties. In the past three years, more than 2M British Gas customers have received energy debt write-off grants of up to £2,000 each.
To be eligible, the debt must be a current gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account on a main residence, up to a maximum debt of £2,000.
EDF has a Consumer Support Fund which gives grants to customers struggling with debt. It also offers support for essential appliances like fridges or ovens.
EDF says you need to have taken independent debt advice before you can apply through its Let’s Talk website.
Octopus Energy has a £30M Octo Assist Fund which can wipe debt and provide free electric blankets and advice on cutting bills.
E.On Next’s Energy Fund can hand grants to struggling customers and replaces appliances which are broken or in poor condition. You will have to provide evidence of household income as well as benefits, pension details or medical conditions.
