British Gas and Octopus customers waking up to two free payments worth £2,200
British Gas and Octopus customers are being handed two payments worth £2,200. The help from the providers, which are two of the biggest in the country, comes at a time where the Cost of Living crisis continues to bite households after Christmas.
The firms, rivalled by Ovo, EDF Energy and E On Next, have rolled out help for consumers and customers as we head through January. It is particularly helpful for state pensioners who have missed out on the £200 or £300 Winter Fuel Payment this year.
The Winter Fuel Payments were made means tested for pensioners for 2024/25, resulting in millions losing out, including some on low incomes. As a result, there are concerns that the poorest are struggling to pay their heating bills during winter.
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Octopus - £200
Energy supplier Octopus is stepping in to support older customers on low incomes who didn't receive the Government's winter support this year.Octopus is now accepting applications for support worth between £50 and £200 in energy credit, helping customers to save on their bills and allocate money to other necessities. The company stated it would ask applicants several questions to determine their eligibility.
Octopus stated: "Fewer UK households are now eligible for the Government's £200-300 Winter Fuel Payment this year. And we know many customers depended on this help. That's why we're stepping up to help bring this support back to customers who need it most: offering our own £50, £100 and £200 'Winter Fuel Payments' to thousands of Octopus customers who'll no longer be eligible with the recent changes.
"We're extending our £30m Octopus Assist fund so that thousands of customers missing out on the Winter Fuel Payment and struggling with bills can now claim discretionary credits of £50, £100 and £200 from the fund.
"We'll ask you to share some information about your health, any vulnerabilities, income and monthly costs so we can work out the best ways we can help you. Applying is quick and straightforward, and you can do it online, over the phone, or by mail."
British Gas - £2,000
The assistance is provided through the British Gas Energy Trust (BGET), and applications are open even to non-British Gas customers. Households in England, Wales and Scotland that are in energy debt or facing financial hardship can apply. Up to £2,000 worth of energy debt can be cleared, depending on individual circumstances. The need is greater than normal this year after Chancellor Rachel Reeves axed the £300 winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners.
However, recent data from British Gas shows that grant applications have nearly halved compared to last winter. Between November 2023 and January 2024, BGET received 3,518 applications, but only 1,574 between last November and January 20.