As the colder months approach, the British Gas Energy Trust is extending a lifeline to pensioners struggling with energy debt.
The Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, offering grants of up to £1,700 to help cover energy debts for both British Gas and non-British Gas customers. This initiative arrives at a critical time, as changes to Winter Fuel Payments are set to exclude around 10 million elderly people from receiving state support this winter.
Pensioners in England and Wales who are on benefits such as Income Support, Pension Credit, or Universal Credit will still be eligible for Winter Fuel Payments, ranging between £100 and £300. However, many others may find themselves without this crucial assistance, making the support from the British Gas Energy Trust more important than ever.
In the last year alone, the Trust has helped over 5,300 households with more than £7.8 million in energy debt grants, with £5.1 million of that amount supporting those in England. One beneficiary, known as Miss D, a single pensioner who recently suffered a stroke and was diagnosed with heart failure, received £115 from the Trust to clear her arrears after her daughters discovered her energy debt. The money advice she received as part of her application has enabled her to manage her energy costs moving forward.
Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive Officer of the British Gas Energy Trust, stressed the importance of applying for support: “We encourage anyone struggling with their energy debt to apply to the Individuals and Families Fund. With the recent changes to Winter Fuel Payments and the upcoming energy price cap increase, many could find themselves in financial difficulty this winter. Our fund is here to help as many eligible households as possible, whether they are British Gas customers or not.”
Beyond direct financial support, the Trust also funds 29 community-based projects across England that offer free and impartial advice on budgeting, benefits, energy efficiency, and more. These projects are designed to provide comprehensive support, helping individuals not only with their immediate financial needs but also with long-term financial planning and energy management.
With energy prices continuing to climb, the British Gas Energy Trust’s support could make all the difference for pensioners across Britain this winter.
