British Gas offering up to £1,700 in energy support available after winter fuel payment scrapped

Families and single households could receive up to £1,700 in grants to help with energy bills after the winter fuel payment was scrapped.

The British Gas Energy Trust is offering energy debt grants for both British Gas and non-British Gas customers with debt on a credit or pre-payment meter account.

It comes after the UK Government announced that those not in receipt of pension credit or other means-tested benefits south of the border will no longer receive the winter fuel payment from this year onwards.

Scotland’s social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said the decision left the Scottish Government with “no alternative but to replicate the decision”.

The trust said the reopening of the grants will be “welcomed” by those who will no longer receive support from the government with winter fuel payments.

One recipient of the grant, a single pensioner referred to as Ms D, received a £115 grant from the trust.

Ms D’s daughters discovered her energy debt when sorting through her bills, while she recovered from a stroke in hospital.

Following her application, Ms D received financial advice as well as the funding that cleared her energy debt.

The trust has provided more than £7.8m in support for 5,300 households across the UK, £320,000 of which was provided to Scots in need.

Chief executive officer of the Trust Jessica Taplin encouraged those in need of support with energy debt to apply for the funds.

“The change in eligibility criteria for the Winter Fuel Payments, coupled with the energy price cap increase from October, means more people might find themselves struggling with their bills as we head towards winter.

“This fund will help us support as many eligible households as possible across Britain, whether British Gas customer or otherwise.”