The energy firm has £10m available to share with households struggling during freezing temperatures and will do so by matching what billpayers can afford to pay.
The deal is an extension from its You Pay: We Pay initiative launched in June last year and offers customers a chance to set up a direct debit each month that British Gas will put towards their bill.
To be eligible, you must have been a customer for at least six months and be able to sort direct debits with your bank.
The offer is for those who need it most, so the firm will check your financial situation to decide if the help is required or not. British Gas will arrange this through either a debt charity or an open banking check – which allows your bank to send a snapshot of your financial position to the energy firm.
British Gas wrote to customers a week before Ofgem announced its energy price cap for the period from 1 April to 30 June.
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Predictions from analyst Cornwall Insight suggest the bills will rise by £85 per year, reaching an average of £1,283.
There is no minimum payment required, so you can chip away as much as you want, and if you have any outstanding balance, the payments from British Gas will go towards that.
The scheme is also only available for homes with a credit meter and not a smart or prepayment version.
As it stands, gas and electricity costs UK residents an average of £1,717 per year, after prices rose for the three-month period starting in October 2024.
‘Winter has been particularly tough’
Chris O’Shea, group chief executive of Centrica – the parent company of British Gas – said: “We know this winter has been particularly tough for many households, and it’s not always easy to keep on top of growing bills. We want to make sure as many customers as possible get the support they need and that’s why we’re extending our ‘You Pay: We Pay’ scheme.
“It’s our responsibility to provide support for our customers and that’s why we’ve put £140m into helping those who need it most – with direct support and our ongoing commitment to the amazing team at the British Gas Energy Trust.”
