Households can get £1,500 energy bill grants from British Gas fund – and you don’t have to be a customer to claim

Households struggling with bills can now apply for a grant of up to £1,500 from British Gas – and you don't have to be a customer of the energy giant to get it.

British Gas has today relaunched its Individuals and Families Fund for this winter, open to those on prepayment or credit meters.

British Gas customers can also benefit from the company's Energy Support Fund, which offers grants of up to £1,500 to people with energy debt.

The average home pays a gas and electricity bill of £1,834 per year, rising to £1,928 per year from January 1, 2024, capped by Ofgem's price cap.

Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, said: 'We are reassuring households that we will provide as much support as we can as the cost of living crisis continues to put pressure on finances.

'With the reopening of the Individuals and Families Fund this winter, customers will be able to access grants and advice from us, even if they are not British Gas customers.'

How can you apply for the British Gas Energy Support Fund?

To qualify for the grant, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a prepayment or credit meter customer in England, Scotland or Wales
• Not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust for the past two years
• Do you need the subsidy to pay off an energy debt in your name?
• The subsidy needed for your main residence
• Received money or debt advice in the past three months

The subsidies are intended to fully pay off overdue energy bills and cannot be used for anything else.

You will also need to prove that you have energy debts and prove to British Gas that you have had recent financial or debt advice.

Households can do that apply for a British Gas grant here.

The UK's largest energy company has paid out more than £100 million to customers struggling with energy bills since prices started rising in late 2021.