British Gas customers offered up to £250 in free credit - here's who gets it

Support of up to £250 in free credit is available for British Gas customers who are struggling with energy costs.

Customers who pay their energy bills through a pre-payment meter could see credit added to their meter over the next month.

The discretionary payment means British Gas will decide who gets help, and not everyone on a pre-payment meter will be eligible.

The free credit will be available for customers struggling with energy costs
Jacob King

British Gas customers do not need to contact the company to apply for help, as those who are eligible and need it, will be identified and provided with support.

The new scheme comes as part of a £10million package for vulnerable pre-payment customers.

Other support includes extra vulnerability checks, and the company has said it will not move people onto pre-payment meters this winter unless they request it.

British Gas is also supplying smart pre-payment meters to those struggling with rising costs.

Last week, Citizens Advice reported that over three million people in Britain ran out of credit on pre-payment meters last year because they couldn’t afford to top up.

The report also found that more than two million people were being disconnected at least once a month.

Energy costs are set to surge again in the spring, when the Government scales back its support package and caps gas and electricity bills at £3,000 a year – up from £2,500 currently.

British gas say eligible customers will see extra credit on their meter next month
Steve Parsons

Chris O’Shea, chief executive of British Gas' parent company Centrica, said: “We know that some prepayment customers are self-disconnecting and not coming forward for help, so we have reviewed our policies to do more to target support at this group.

"As a responsible business we are doing all we can to support our customers during this crisis – our work with the British Gas Energy Trust provides grants and money advice services."