Households struggling with rising energy bills can get up to £750 in grants from British Gas.
British Gas said today it will give 10% of its profits to cash-strapped households - the first energy firm to do so.
Chris O'Shea, the boss of Centrica, which owns British Gas, committed to donating £12million of its Autumn profits and a further 10% every six months for the duration of the energy crisis.
It will put this money into reopening a scheme that gives grants of between £250 and £750 to customers in financial trouble.
There are two British Grants on offer - one for its customers and one for everyone else.
The new cash is being used to revive an old scheme called the British Gas Energy Support Fund. This will give cash only to British Gas customers, and this reopens from September 12.
The old scheme previously ran out of cash at the end of June.
To be considered for this help, you must meet you following eligibility criteria:
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household. The energy account must relate to your main residence
- You have electric and / or gas debt between £250 to £750
- You do not have savings above £1,000
But British Gas also runs a grant scheme called the Individuals and Families Fund, which is open to all - right now.
This offers grants worth up to £1,500 for households with an energy debt between £250 and £750.
To apply, you must fit the following criteria:
- You live in England, Scotland or Wales
- You have not had a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years
- You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household, and the energy account must be for your main home
- You have electric and/or gas debt
- You must be in, or facing, fuel poverty
- You have received help from a money advice agency
You can apply for the Individuals and Families fund here.
Households could soon be paying £3,500 a year in energy bills, as these costs are due to rise from October.
On August 26 energy regulator Ofgem will announce what its price cap will be from October 1.
The latest predictions from consultancy Auxilione are for yearly energy bills to rise to £3,576 a year from this date for average energy use.
More than 80% of British homes are now on energy deals limited by the Ofgem price cap.
Ofgem first introduced the price cap in 2019 and it is based on a number of factors including the wholesale cost of power.
This price cap sets a limit on the rates a supplier can charge for each unit of gas and electricity you use, for homes on variable-rate energy deals paying by direct debit.
The price cap also sets a maximum for the daily standing charge, which is what you pay to have your home connected to the grid.
