British Gas, OVO, Octopus customers can get energy bill help worth £2,600 this month

British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON and Octopus customers can get energy bill help worth THOUSANDS amid the Cost of Living crisis. As the Cost of Living crisis continues, energy customers across the country can get help worth hundreds if not thousands.

Recent research from Citizens Advice revealed 5.3 million people were living in a household in debt to its supplier and an eye-watering 800,000 prepayment meter customers went more than 24 hours without gas or electricity last year.

The research, conducted in 2023, found many households couldn't afford to top up. But there is help at hand for many households - from the Household Support Fund, which was recently extended by the Tory government, to energy bill vouchers and grants and more.

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Household Support Fund

Funded by the UK government, the scheme is for those most in need of support to help with significantly rising living costs. In its guidance, the government explains: "The Fund can also be used to support households with the cost of food and water bills, essential costs related to energy, food and water, and with wider essential costs.

"The Fund can additionally be used to support housing costs where existing housing support schemes do not meet this need." Medway Council in Kent, South-East England, is offering thousands of households supermarket vouchers worth up to £225.

Other local authorities are offering £100 vouchers towards energy costs.

Benefits

Benefits claimants with the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) might be able to use your benefit entitlement to cover their cost. It is sometimes called "third party deductions" or Fuel Direct if it is for gas and electricity payments.

If you owe money (for example court fines, rent, Council Tax or energy payments), money might be taken directly out of your benefits payments to pay the debt. This is sometimes called ‘third party deductions’ or, for gas and electricity payments, Fuel Direct.

Hardship funds

Most of the big energy firms have charitable hardship funds and grants that you may be eligible for if you’re struggling. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help worth up to £2,000 and this can be accessed by anyone - not just its customers - providing you meet the eligibility criteria.

Chris O’Shea, Chief Executive of Centrica, said: “We know that many people across the UK are still struggling with the cost of living and need support with their energy bills, and we want to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help. That’s why we have a £100 million support package in place and have committed £20 million to enable the Trust to continue to support people in financial hardship - through grants, energy and advice services.

“The work of the British Gas Energy Trust for the last twenty years is something I’m especially proud of and it has helped us reach those who need it most during the energy crisis. We’ve also been able to introduce new initiatives like our Post Office Pop Ups to provide face to face support to all consumers. Even when living costs ease, there will always be people that need this help, and we will continue to work with the Trust.”

Free insulation and boiler grants

You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills. You might get support if your home has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G or is in Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland or Wales.

You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.

If you qualify, you could be in line for essential upgrades to your home including roof, loft or cavity wall insulation - which could cut your annual energy bill by up to £400.