British Gas allocates £140 million: what help clients will receive.

According to The Sun: This winter season, there are opportunities to receive assistance for those facing financial difficulties due to rising energy costs.

Millions of families in the UK expect their electricity bills to rise by 2% to £1,755 this autumn.

Energy companies are offering support to those who cannot pay their electricity bills on time.

With the new energy cap coming into effect on October 1, average energy bills for households will increase by £35.14 per year.

If you are concerned about rising costs, it is worth reviewing the support programs from major energy companies in the UK this winter season.

British Gas

British Gas has allocated £140 million to support customers facing financial difficulties through its Energy Support Fund.

Households in England, Scotland, and Wales can receive up to £2,000 to pay their electricity bills this winter.

This fund is only available for existing British Gas customers who are in energy poverty or at risk of it.

To apply, customers must have a debt ranging from £50 to £2,000 on a prepayment meter or from £250 to £2,000 on a credit account.

They also need to have received advice from a financial advisory agency or used British Gas's Benefit Calculator tool within the last six months.

To qualify, applicants cannot have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Support Fund in the past 12 months. Applications can be submitted on the fund's website.

Additionally, there is a Fund for Individual and Family Needs, open to British Gas customers and those from other suppliers who have already been refused help from their providers.

Octopus

Octopus Energy has a £30 million Assistance Fund to help customers who are facing financial difficulties.

This fund includes direct financial assistance, waiving service charges, and even free electric blankets, depending on eligibility criteria.

To apply, Octopus will ask for information about your income and expenses to better understand your situation and offer the most suitable assistance.

Additionally, Octopus helps vulnerable customers by providing free electric blankets.

Among the support programs, Octopus also offers free heat cameras to detect drafts in homes and advice on how to fix issues.

Customers receiving social benefits can receive free gadgets that will help reduce their energy bills.

Octopus Energy also offers free installation of solar panels and heat pumps to up to 1,000 households.

OVO

OVO Energy offers free blankets and smart plugs to help customers combat rising energy bills this winter.

The company's additional support package costs £56 million and also includes energy efficiency upgrades – from attic insulation to new boilers.

Eligible customers can receive financial support, including reduced direct debits and extended repayment plans.

Details about eligibility and how to apply for additional support can be found on the OVO Energy website.

E.ON

The E.ON Next Energy Fund provides assistance to customers facing financial difficulties.

This fund supports individuals through grants for paying energy bills or replacing faulty equipment.

To participate in the grant program, you need to complete a three-month Pre-Award Program and demonstrate the ability to cover average monthly energy expenses.

E.ON notes that you may need to provide proof of benefits or tax credits received by adults in your household during the application.

Proof of illness within your family may also be required.

Applications can be submitted on the E.ON Next Energy fund's website.

What other assistance is available for paying energy bills?

If you cannot receive help from the above funds, there are other opportunities.

Energy suppliers will pay £150 through the government’s Warm Home program. This program offers a one-off tax-free discount on electricity bills for eligible households.

To receive the discount, you must be a recipient of one of seven types of income-based assistance as of August 24:

• Guaranteed credit in the pension credit
• Social support
• Income-based employment allowance
• Income-based hardship assistance
• Housing assistance
• Universal credit
• Part of pension credit 'Savings'

Households in England and Wales will receive the money automatically and do not need to apply.

Residents of Scotland will likely have to apply for the Warm Home.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that compliance letters will begin to arrive from October 20.

The letter should include:

• You meet the requirements and will receive the discount automatically; or
• You may meet the requirements, and you need to provide more information.
• The letter will also contain contact information to confirm your details until February 27, 2026.

If you do not receive a letter by early January 2026 and believe you meet the requirements, contact the hotline at 0800 030 9322.

If your energy supplier confirms your compliance, the discount will be applied to your bill by March 31, 2026.

Warm Home is available regardless of the energy supplier.

4 ways to reduce energy bills

Laura Kurt-Jones, small business editor at Bionic shared her tips.

1. Lower the temperature by one degree

This may seem minor, but lowering the temperature will help save on energy bills. A simple adjustment of the thermostat can save you £171.70.

2. Turn off appliances and lights

By making this simple action, remember that turning off unnecessary devices and lights can reduce your expenses, especially in winter. Savings can be up to £20 a year.

3. Install a smart meter

Smart meters help monitor energy expenses, allowing you to see when and how much electricity and gas you consume.

4. Consider switching energy suppliers

Even if you are satisfied with your current supplier, they may not offer the best rates. Regularly check alternatives to find more favorable terms.

What assistance is available for energy bills?

There are several ways to receive help with your energy bills if you are facing difficulties.

If you are in debt, contact your supplier to find out if they can offer you a repayment plan before they switch you to a prepayment meter.

This will allow you to pay off the debt in installments over a certain period.

If the supplier offers a plan that you cannot afford, discuss the possibility of finding a more manageable option.

The following energy companies have programs for customers facing issues with paying bills.

Eligibility criteria may vary depending on the supplier, and the amount you receive will depend on your financial situation.

For instance, customers of British Gas or Scottish Gas facing difficulties may receive grants of up to £2,000.

British Gas also offers assistance through its Energy Support Fund and Individual Family Needs Fund.

To apply for the second fund, you do not have to be a British Gas customer.

Moreover, companies EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power also offer grants for customers in need of assistance.

Thousands of vulnerable households not registered with the Priority Services Register (PSR) do not receive additional support and protections.

This service supports vulnerable households, such as the elderly or those with medical issues.

Benefits include advance warnings of outages, free gas safety checks, and additional support for those facing difficulties.

To learn more, contact your energy supplier.