State pensioners who've lost Winter Fuel Payment being handed £1,700 from British Gas

The Individual and Families Fund is open to pre-payment meter and credit customers and the fund is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.

British Gas is offering up to £1,700 in free cash payments to state pensioners who have lost their Winter Fuel Payment. The Individual and Families Fund is open to pre-payment meter and credit customers and the fund is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.

That means it is open for OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus customers. British Gas said: “The Individual and Families Fund is open to credit and pre-payment meter customers. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund - you can be a British Gas Customer, or a customer from another supplier with arrears of up to £1,700.

"However, we want to ensure that grants go to people who cannot access energy debt help from their own provider. If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant. Please note the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments. You must be in or facing fuel poverty.”

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For British Gas customers, your balance will be verified with British Gas as part of the application process and if it exceeds the arrears threshold of £1,700, your application will be declined. You must make sure you are a credit or pre-payment meter customer living in England, Scotland or Wales, you have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years and you have a household income of less than £18,723 or someone in the household is registered disabled and receives a disability benefit or receives Carers Allowance or has 3+ children.

You must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or dual fuel energy account in your name and the energy account must relate to your main residence. If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant. Please note the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments.

You must have a total combined energy debt outstanding between £50 - £1,700 if you are a Pre-Payment Meter customer or you have a total combined energy debt outstanding between £250 - £1,700 if you are a Credit account customer. The British Gas Energy Trust will only consider clearing arrears in full, partial payments cannot be considered.;

You must be in or facing Fuel Poverty; and you must have received money advice/ guidance within the last 6 months.