British Gas Energy Trust

Shredder2010

Hi all

Sorry if this not the right section. I have a massive British Gas bill for the winter period (£260). I am currently on Income support and cannot really pay that on top of the water bill etc. I heard about this energy trust grant whereby they pay outstanding debt etc.

Has anyone claimed this before and if so was it an easy process?

welshmoneylover

Sorry never heard of it before, are you sure that's what they do?

Otherwise we'd all be putting a claim in

kingfisherblue

I've not heard of it either, but I'm not with BG. I'm also on IS. My bill for gas and electricity from October to February was over £700, but I have a disabled child who needs to keep warm. I also use the washer and dryer a lot because of his disabilities. I'd love someone to pay at least some of the bill, but as far as I know, I'll just have to manage - my monthly payments are increasing to cover it.

Indie_Kid

kingfisherblue wrote: »

I've not heard of it either, but I'm not with BG. I'm also on IS. My bill for gas and electricity from October to February was over £700, but I have a disabled child who needs to keep warm. I also use the washer and dryer a lot because of his disabilities. I'd love someone to pay at least some of the bill, but as far as I know, I'll just have to manage - my monthly payments are increasing to cover it.

You can get help if you have a disabled child - there is stuff in the disability & dosh forum about this.

kingfisherblue

Thanks sh1305, but I haven't read anything on D&D about additional help. I know that some energy companies have social tariffs, but I don't think mine does. I'll go and check now though!

ETA - Scottish Power has a social tariff for over 60s only. I asked about social tariffs when I joined them last year, but I didn't know about MSE then, so I think I'll look into other companies as well, to get the best deal.

missmontana

Shredder2010 wrote: »

Hi all

Sorry if this not the right section. I have a massive British Gas bill for the winter period (£260). I am currently on Income support and cannot really pay that on top of the water bill etc. I heard about this energy trust grant whereby they pay outstanding debt etc.

Has anyone claimed this before and if so was it an easy process?

You can get your water bill paid out of your benefits, spreads the cost and you don't really miss it.

I think BG will only help you if you spend more than 10%? of your income on your gas/electric bill.
Can you not set up a direct debit or get a pre pay meter installed? If they install a pre pay meter, it will spread the cost of the debt and then you won't run up such a huge bill in the future.

anmarj

http://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/index.html

found this by googling - seems there are various grants available, you can apply over the internet.

paulofessex

missmontana wrote: »

You can get your water bill paid out of your benefits, spreads the cost and you don't really miss it.

I think BG will only help you if you spend more than 10%? of your income on your gas/electric bill.
Can you not set up a direct debit or get a pre pay meter installed? If they install a pre pay meter, it will spread the cost of the debt and then you won't run up such a huge bill in the future.

I personally would avoid having pre-paid meters installed unless it is the last choice as you pay more per unit and standing charge. BG may well suggest that the only help they can give is having a meter installed...best to exhaust all other options first.

seven-day-weekend

I personally don't think £260 IS a massive bill for heating in the coldest winter for years.

I would suggest either prepayment meters or sort out a payment plan with your gas supppliers.

Have you ANY money towards it? How much did you budget? You could pay that and then arrange a payment plan for the rest.

seven-day-weekend

Here's a link to the Energy Trust Grant:

http://www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/

viktory

kingfisherblue wrote: »

<snip>I think I'll look into other companies as well, to get the best deal.

A good idea for the future, but I believe that you are not able to switch suppliers while you owe the current supplier money.