British Gas vitality debt grants fund open to all Britons

Families struggling with energy debt can get grant funding by means of the British Gas Energy Trust, as its Individuals and Families fund has relaunched.

Anyone who meets the factors can apply, as there’s no need to be a British Gas customer to file an software.

To apply for a grant, an individual should meet all of those standards:

• A resident of England, Scotland or Wales
• Have not acquired a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust inside the final two years
• Seeking a grant to clear an impressive debt on a present or open gasoline, electrical energy or twin gasoline vitality account
• The account have to be within the particular person’s identify or a member of their family, and it should relate to their principal residence
• Have an electrical or gasoline debt and be dealing with gasoline poverty
• Already have acquired assist from a cash recommendation company.

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Phil Foster, CEO of Love Energy Savings, inspired those that are eligible to contemplate making use of for the help.

He mentioned: “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. It’s about being honest with yourself and not letting pride get in the way of practicality.

“It’s practical support to help navigate you and your family through this challenging period. If you’ve identified that you need help, you’ve taken these steps and accepted that this is the practical solution, please keep your head high and accept the support on offer.”

He mentioned making use of for a grant by means of the belief is all on-line and simple to do. He defined: “There aren’t too many hoops to jump through. They simply need to provide proof of their household’s income, that they’ve received money advice in the past three months, and a recent metre reading or gas/electricity bill.”

Jo Allen is utilities buyer expertise knowledgeable at Pegasystems and he or she is was beforehand a buyer expertise supervisor at British Gas.

She mentioned: “The guidelines provided by the British Gas Energy Trust, have set it out clearly that this funding will be available for those in fuel poverty and those who have already sought financial support.

“While making these grants available is great, it is essential that energy providers do more to prevent all customers getting into money problems in the first place.

“Identifying customers who are at risk of going into debt is hard to do and there is evidence that current customer service systems struggle to support staff who want to help customers. These grants feel like a last resort rather than a proactive solution.”

She warned many individuals really feel uncomfortable recognising they’ve into debt which may make the scenario worse.

She mentioned the vitality trade can do extra to ensure there are methods for folks to get assist with out feeling embarrassed.

The knowledgeable mentioned: “This could be done through allowing customers to contact their supplier through a channel which makes sense to them.

“However, as energy providers cannot cut customers off, they are more likely to be paying other bills, such as their mobile phone bill, rather than their energy bill.”

Rebecca Armstrong, managing director of Making Energy Greener, mentioned of the British Gas fund: “This funding would be particularly helpful for individuals and families on low incomes, those receiving Government benefits such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance, and those who have special circumstances such as a recent income reduction due to illness or other hardships.”

Many different suppliers have related funds in place to assist their very own prospects who’re struggling to pay their vitality payments, together with Eon, EDF, Scottish Power and Octopus.

Consumers who can not afford their payments might also wish to strategy their provider to ask if they will create a tailor-made cost plan.

People may also get confidential debt recommendation from teams corresponding to National Debtline, StepChange, and Citizens Advice.

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