Millions of households warned they are missing out on free energy bill help worth £2,000

MILLIONS of households are being urged to take action as they may be missing out on free energy bill support worth over £2,000.

The warning comes amidst predictions from energy consultancy Cornwall Insight that household energy bills are set to increase once again in April.

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According to the consultancy, Ofgem is expected to announce that the average household energy bill will rise from £1,717 to £1,823 per year from April 1.

This change will negatively impact 26 million households on standard variable tariffs, with many likely to face costs exceeding this projected headline figure.

This is because the energy price cap does not limit the total amount customers pay for their energy.

Rather, it places a cap on the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) of gas and electricity.

So, if you use more energy than a typical household, expect to pay more.

Luckily, there's a host of help available for hard-up Brits right now.

From debt-matching schemes to direct energy bill grants worth up to £2,000 - here are several ways you can get help from your supplier.

BRITISH GAS

British Gas is reaching out to over 600,000 customers this month, urging them to access support through its "You Pay, We Pay" scheme.

Launched in May 2024 with an initial funding pot of £15million, the scheme has now been bolstered by an additional £10million to extend its support.

Struggling customers who sign up are able to get part of their debts wiped via what's known as debt matching.

For instance, if a customer pays £100, British Gas will pay off £100, too, effectively wiping half the amount owed and getting them back on track sooner.

You must be a British Gas customer for at least six months to be considered, but you won't need to apply.

The supplier said that eligible customers will be identified "proactively" and receive the support after an assessment by one of its specifically trained advisors.

Customers who do not qualify for the scheme or require additional support can also apply for a cash grant through the British Gas Energy Trust.

The British Gas Energy Support Fund has been open to new applications since November 2024, and eligible customers still have time to submit theirs.

Any British Gas or Scottish Gas customer struggling to pay their energy bills and who has sought financial and energy advice is eligible to apply for assistance.

Successful applicants could receive a grant of up to £2,000 to help clear outstanding debts - £500 more than the maximum grant available to households last winter.

To be considered for a grant, you must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in England, Scotland, or Wales
• Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust in the past 12 months
• Have either a credit or prepayment meter with an outstanding account debt

Customers must also have to have been receiving help from a money advice or guidance agency within the last six months to be eligible.

To apply, you'll need to visit britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.

EDF ENERGY

EDF's Consumer Support Fund provides grants to support vulnerable customers struggling with energy debt on a case-by-case basis.

The fund provides financial support to help clear outstanding debts and can also contribute towards the cost of essential white goods, such as fridges or cookers.

Applicants are required to seek independent advice before submitting their application.

You can apply to the scheme by visiting edfcustomersupportfund.charisgrants.com.

In addition to its Consumer Support Fund, EDF Energy has committed £29 million to a variety of initiatives aimed at supporting customers in financial difficulty.

These include debt matching and the provision of free energy-saving devices.

Through its debt matching scheme, EDF Energy helps customers reduce their outstanding balances more quickly.

For example, if a customer pays £100 towards their debt, EDF Energy will match that payment by contributing £100 as well - effectively halving the amount owed and helping them regain financial stability sooner.

If you think you'd benefit from the debt matching scheme call EDF on 0333 006 9950 to discuss your options.

Since the energy crisis began, EDF will have spent over £40m beyond its statutory requirements on helping customers by the end of the year.

E.ON Next

Customers of E.ON Next and Sainsbury's Energy can apply for cash grants to help with their energy costs.

E.ON doesn't have established eligibility criteria, but the fund aims to help as many people as possible, and applications from individuals with the greatest needs will be prioritised. 

You must know your energy account number and provide a recent meter reading to complete your application.

As part of your application, you'll also be asked to provide evidence of your circumstances, such as proof of household income or DWP benefit payments.

Find out more, including how to apply, by visiting eonnextenergyfund.com.

OCTOPUS ENERGY

Octopus Energy provides a variety of support options through its £30million Octopus Energy Assist Fund, including cash grants, standing charge holidays, and debt write-offs.

The supplier has recently expanded the scheme to specifically assist pensioners who have "slipped through the net" following Rachel Reeves' cuts to the winter fuel payment.

Eligible pensioners can now receive a one-off credit of up to £200.

Additional support may include the loan of a thermal imaging camera to identify heat leaks in your home, enabling you to make repairs that reduce energy consumption and lower your bills.

Octopus Energy also offers home energy visits to advise households on ways to cut their energy usage and provides free electric blankets to help keep customers warm during colder months.

The supplier is urging all customers who are struggling with their bills to reach out for support.

The Octo Assist Fund remains open for applications, and there is no deadline for customers to apply.

Find out more by visiting octopus.energy/blog/octo-assist.

OVO ENERGY

Ovo Energy's £50 million Extra Support Package remains open to assist customers who need help managing and paying for their energy.

Eligible customers can access direct financial support to ease the burden of energy bills or tackle existing energy debt.

Additionally, the scheme provides access to specialist debt and benefits advice to help households maximise their income.

For those struggling with payments, Ovo Energy offers flexible solutions, including Direct Debit reductions, emergency credit top-ups, debt repayment support, and extended repayment plans tailored to individual needs.

Customers looking to improve energy efficiency can benefit from free home efficiency kits, heated throws, and personalised advice. Funding options are also available to help reduce ongoing energy costs.

Over 200,000 customers have already received support through the scheme, but there's still time to apply.

Visit ovoenergy.com/extra-support to find out more and see if you're eligible.

SCOTTISH POWER

Scottish Power has handed out more than £60m in support to customers experiencing difficulties in paying their energy bills, through its Hardship Fund.

You could qualify for help from the fund if you receive support from the following benefits:

• Income-related employment and support allowance
• Income-based jobseeker's allowance
• Income support
• Housing benefit
• Universal Credit
• Tax credits
• Pension credit

Help could also be available if you have a low household income or if special circumstances, such as illness, have impacted your earnings.

To apply you'll first need to sought advice from debt charity Step Change by calling 0800 138 1111.

You'll then need to apply for funding through Scottish Power's scheme by visiting support.sigmaconnected.com/scottish-power-hardship-fund.

If your application is successful, the fund can wipe all or part of your energy debt.

UTILITA

Utilita Giving is Utilita's charity partner and offers grants to vulnerable customers to help clear energy debt.

The fund provides grants to wipe or reduce energy debts.

However, it's only available to customers on legacy credit meter.

To find out more and how to apply, visit www.utilitagiving.org/helping-hand-fund.

UTILITY WAREHOUSE

Utility Warehouse offers financial assistance to customers struggling with their bills. 

Citizens Advice Plymouth operates the scheme, which also provides Utility Warehouse customers with budgeting advice and benefits assessments.

The hardship fund allows for debt write-offs worth between £1,000 and £2,000, depending on individual circumstances.

To find out more and how to apply, visit help.uw.co.uk/article/billing_and_payments/Payment-help/uw-hardship-fund.

What if my energy supplier doesn't offer grants?

The British Gas Energy Trust's Individual and Families Fund has been accepting applications from any customers struggling with energy debt since September 2024.

Originally established in 2021, the fund was designed to support households struggling to manage their energy debts.

Unlike many other energy supplier grants, this scheme is available to both British Gas customers and those with other energy providers.

Energy customers could previously get up to £1,500 in help from the fund, but it has increased to £1,700 this winter to help an increasing number of households in debt.

However, not everyone will be eligible for a grant under the British Gas Energy Trust's scheme.

There are certain criteria that you need to meet to be considered for the Individual and Families Fund, including:

• Pre-payment meter customers must have between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt
• Credit customers must have between £250 and £1,700 of energy debt
• You live in England, Scotland, or Wales
• You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
• You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account. The account must be in your name and relate to your main residence
• You have received help from a money advice agency within the last six months

Customers with energy debts worth more than £1,700 will not be eligible for support through the fund.

Although British Gas Energy Trust welcomes applications from customers of all energy suppliers, it is recommended that customers from the following companies first seek assistance through their own hardship schemes:

• Ovo Energy
• E.ON Next
• EDF Energy
• Scottish Power
• Octopus Energy
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

If you are rejected by your own energy company's hardship fund, apply to the British Gas Energy Trust's Individual and Families Fund by visiting www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available.