Thousands of British Gas customers may be eligible to receive up to £750 toward the cost of their energy bills through a new hardship fund.
The amount is designed to help families shoulder the cost of sky-rocketing gas and electric bills as the UK continues to grapple against a cost of living crisis.
British Gas launched the support in December, where it pledged £2million to the most struggling households.
The energy giant confirmed to The Mirror that it has so far distributed 493 grants totalling £251,000 - meaning there is still £1.75million left in the pot.
Customers can apply for grants of between £250 and £750 to write-off chunks of debt.
British Gas says the average payout per grant so far has been £510.
Here we explain how it works:
Who is eligible for the British Gas winter fund - and how do I apply?
British Gas has a list of eligibility criteria that you must meet in order to apply for help through its winter fund.
You must be looking to clear energy debt between £250 and £750, and you cannot have savings worth more than £1,000 to be considered for the grant.
Successful applicants must also live in England, Scotland or Wales and be applying for help against an account in your name or for your household.
Finally, you must also be considered to be living in fuel poverty - this is where your energy bills are above average and, once paid, would leave you with income below the poverty line.
Are you worried about paying your energy bills this winter? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
British Gas will require proof of your circumstances when you apply for the grant.
This will include evidence of all your household income and a meter reading for your energy account.
British Gas customers can apply to the fund online and the support will be open until March 2022, or when the £2million funding runs out.
You can only apply if you’re a British Gas customer.
If you’re with another energy supplier and you’re struggling, you should contact them directly to see what help they can offer you.
For example, you may be able to claim £140 toward your energy bills if you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount scheme.
The money is not paid to you as a cash sum - instead, it is normally sent directly to your energy supplier, who will then apply the discount to your bills.
Or if you have a pre-payment meter, you'll be sent a £140 voucher that can be used to top up your meter.
The discount is applied between October and March.
To qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme, you must fall either get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or be on a low income.
