Brits urged to apply for £2,000 winter energy bill support

People across the UK are reminded they could be eligible for up to £2,000 to help pay towards energy bills. The Energy Support Fund (ESF), which is open to British Gas customers, provides grants of up to £2,000 to clear energy debt.

If you're not a British Gas customer you could benefit instead from the Individuals and Families Fund (I&F), which provides up to £1,700 to customers of any energy supplier, if their supplier doesn't have its own scheme or they can show their application to that scheme was unsuccessful.

Both funds are run by the British Gas Energy Trust. As reported by the Daily Record, last year, the I&F fund helped 2,051 households across the UK write off more than £947,000 of energy debt.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of British Gas Energy Trust said: "Many households across Britain continue to struggle with high energy costs alongside other financial challenges, and this means we can once again provide vital support, regardless of which energy supplier they're with.

"This fund will help those who need it most get back on stable ground and feel confident in keeping their homes and families warm and safe."

Energy Support Fund

Applicants must meet the following criteria to qualify for the Energy Support Fund:

• Be a British Gas customer living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Have energy debt between £50 - £2,000 on a prepayment meter or £250 - £2,000 on a credit account
• Be experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty
• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last six months
• Have not received a grant from the Trust in the past 12 months

Full details on eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found on the British Gas Energy Trust website.

Individuals and Families Fund

For the Individuals and Families Fund, which is open to both British Gas and non-British Gas customers, eligibility includes:

• Having energy debt up to £1,700 on a credit or prepayment meter account
• Be living in Scotland, England or Wales
• Be seeking assistance with energy debt related to the primary residence
• Have received assistance from a money advice agency in the last six months

It's important to be aware that applicants with energy suppliers who offer their own support funds may not qualify for the Individuals and Families Fund.

Check the website here for full details.