Here to help this winter

7th February 2022.

The rising cost of living in the UK has created financial difficulty for many people this winter. And we want to do whatever we can to help.

That’s why in December 2021, we launched a new £2 million Winter Fuel Fund to help our most financially vulnerable customers. This is on top of the funding we already make available to all energy customers, (not just British Gas customers) via the British Gas Energy Trust. ¹

The Winter Fuel Fund will close at the end of March, or when the £2million funding runs out.  So read on to find out how you apply, and the other ways we can help if you’re struggling to pay your bills.

Winter Fuel Fund

We set up this fund to help our most in need customers. If you find it tough paying your bills and have a debt of at least £250, you could be awarded a grant to help with this. And it comes with no strings attached. It’ll simply be paid directly onto your energy bill.

Am I eligible for the Fuel Fund?

We’ve got in touch with thousands of customers that we think might be in need of additional support.

If we’ve not been in touch, you can still apply via the British Gas Energy Trust website.

To be eligible to apply you must:

• Be a British Gas energy customer living in England, Scotland or Wales
• Not have more than £1,000 in savings
  
• Have an outstanding debt of between £250 to £750 on an open gas or electricity or dual fuel account.

And if you’re not eligible for the Fuel Fund, there are still plenty of other ways to get help. For instance, the Trust offers you access to various resources and free advice-giving organisations across England, Scotland and Wales. You can speak to a trained advisor for free, online or by phone, and get some really useful help.

How much is the grant worth?

You can apply for grants of between £250 and £750 towards your outstanding gas and electricity bills.

How do I apply, and what happens after I apply?

Here's a rundown of how it works:

• The fund is administered by the British Gas Energy Trust so you’ll need to apply on the website
• This is an independent charitable trust ², solely funded by us and set up to support people that face financial hardship and fuel poverty across England, Scotland and Wales
• They’ll ask to see proof of household income, including all of the adults you live with, details of any savings and a meter reading of your gas and electricity account
• The British Gas Energy Trust will check applications against an existing set of criteria to identify those most in need of additional support

What other ways can you help me?

If you’re not eligible for the Fuel Fund, then there are still ways we can help.

Difficulty paying bills?

The last thing we want is for anyone to struggle paying bills. Especially during the colder months when you need to keep warm. We can work with you on payment plans that suit your needs and budget and help make life that little bit easier.

More help? Try these out

• Money Advice Service (or call 0800 138 7777)
• National Debtline (or call 0808 808 4000)
• Citizens Advice (or call 0808 223 1133) or Citizens Advice Scotland or Citizens Advice Wales
• My Money Steps (or call 0808 808 4000)
• StepChange Debt Charity (or call 0800 138 1111)

Keep your bills as low as possible this winter

The days are getting colder. The nights get dark earlier. Which means many of us are leaving lights on for longer and cranking up the heating (as well as putting it on earlier too!). This can all impact your energy bill. So to help you keep it low this winter, check out our guidance on how to be more energy savvy.

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