Martin Lewis’ MSE website is urging people to take advantage of an offer that could help with energy bills.
With the cost of everything, including energy bills, having risen so much in the last year, many British families will be struggling to make all their payments this winter. Earlier this year it was estimated that a staggering 5.6 million households in the UK are living in fuel poverty as a result.
With this in mind, Money Saving Expert, the site founded by Martin Lewis, revealed a way you can get a free £1,700 from British Gas to help with energy bills this autumn and winter.
Known as the Individuals and Families Fund, this grant is offered to anyone in or facing fuel poverty.
But unlike many other support schemes, you don’t have to be a British Gas customer to qualify.
In its most recent weekly post, Money Saving Expert (MSE) explained: “Big energy firms have charitable trusts and funds that can help if you’re in debt and struggling to repay.
“With these providers you’ll usually need to be a customer of the firm to apply, but British Gas offers help to non-customers as well.”
However, it warned that British Gas has a lot of stipulations to qualify for the cash. MSE continued: “The application process for this help is fairly rigorous (see charities that can help with the process).
“You usually need to have spoken to a debt adviser before applying, complete a full income and expenditure budget sheet, provide proof of your income, give details on how your arrears have built up, and say how the grant will help you.
“Exact eligibility requirements vary – some say you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, for example – but those with the greatest need are prioritised on a case-by-case basis. It can take several weeks to process your claim and funds are limited, so act now.”
The requirements for the grant include that you must:
- Be in or facing fuel poverty
- Have arrears in energy bill payments of up to £1,700
- Not have had a British Gas grant in the past two years
- Have received help from a money advice service in the last six months
- Have a household income of less than £18,723; or someone in the household is registered disabled and receives a disability benefit or receives Carers Allowance or has three or more children
- Not be an energy customer of OVO, Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE and Utilita – this is because these companies have their own funds to support their customers.
If successful the grant will not be awarded as a cash payment but your energy account will be credited with the grant.
If you qualify for all the other points but you have not received money advice or guidance, this can be quickly remedied by using a British Gas-recommended self help benefit calculator tool at askbill.org.uk/benefits-calculator.
The British Gas Energy Trust website said: “It only takes five minutes and will help you identify missing income whilst providing you with budgeting advice and energy saving tips.”
In order to support your application, British Gas requires the following:
- Proof of all household income
- Proof of money advice or money guidance received in the last six months
- For British Gas customers – a meter read for your gas and/or electric account (unless you have a smart meter)
- For other energy supplier customers – a bill based on actual readings dated within four weeks or an email from your energy supplier dated within four weeks.
For more information and to apply visit bget.org.uk/login.php.
