British Gas handing £2,000 to customers to 'clear their debt' starting today

An energy giant is giving out £2,000 grants to customers to clear bill debt from TODAY. British Gas, which is rivalled by OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus and more, has today reopened a grant scheme which gives cash-strapped families up to £2,000 in free cash.

The British Gas Energy Support Fund is now open for applications. Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Energy Support Fund: be a British Gas customer living in England, Scotland, or Wales, have energy debt between £50 – £2,000 on a pre-payment meter or £250 – £2,000 on a credit account, be experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty, hve received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months or have not received a grant from the Trust in the past 12 months.

For the Individuals and Families Fund (open to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers), eligibility includes: you have energy debt up to £1,700 on a credit or pre-payment meter account, be living in England, Scotland, or Wales, be seeking assistance with energy debt related to the primary residence and have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last 6 months

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Please note that applicants with energy suppliers who offer their own support funds may not qualify for the Individuals and Families Fund. The British Gas Energy Trust encourages anyone in need of support to apply or to learn more about eligibility criteria through the Trust’s website.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, stated: “This winter is likely to be as challenging as the last, and the British Gas Energy Trust are committed to helping people get back on top of their energy bills before the really cold weather arrives. The reopening of the Energy Support Fund offers eligible households an opportunity to clear up to £2,000 of energy debt, helping ensure that people can keep their homes warm and healthy this winter.”

One client to receive support was Miss M. Miss M is 27 years old, lives in a housing association property and is registered disabled. She is also a full-time carer for her disabled 5-year-old child and must keep the house warm due to her child’s complex care needs. She has been receiving support from StepChange and is working towards financial stability. Miss M was awarded a British Gas Energy Trust grant of £1,341.