Customers with energy firms British Gas, EDF, OVO, Octopus and E.On can claim £1,500 off their bills if they claim one type of benefit.
A little known scheme allows customers of major energy companies to claim what’s known as an Energy Bill Grant from their gas or electricity supplier, which could be worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds off your bill.
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 and these can be in the region of £1,500 or more and those on Universal Credit are among customers who can apply as well as pensioners on Pension Credit.
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.
British Gas is also involved in something called the British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charity which can help people in poverty struggling with their bills.
It says: “Funded solely by British Gas since 2004, the British Gas Energy Trust has provided consistent money and energy advice for vulnerable households and is one of the largest, grant-giving energy trusts in the UK.
“Our £140 million support package2 offers extra support to customers facing financial hardship including vulnerable prepayment customers and small businesses”
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.
E.On offers customers a route to money off their bills with something called the EOn Next Energy Fund, which can help with debts if you’re on benefits and can also help replace household appliances.
OVO Energy has something called the Fuel Direct Scheme, which is available to people on Universal Credit or Pension Credit and this can help pay your energy bills directly from your benefits.
