Exact date energy customers can apply for up to £1,000 bill help

ENERGY bill prices are sky high and plenty of households are struggling to keep up.

Big name providers have stepped in to help, with grants that hard-up bill payers can take advantage of, to tide them over.

The British Gas Energy Trust is one that helps people with financial advice, energy efficiency advice and measures.

But particularly for hard-up households, the trust provides funding help for families and bill payers who can't cover the cost of their electricity and heating.

Its £6million fund gives British Gas customers grants between £250 and £750 if they're struggling with energy costs.

But it also runs a fund which anyone access - meaning you don't have to be a British Gas customer to get the help.

The grants available are worth up to £1,000.

Luckily eligible applicants won't have to wait long to claim as the fund is set to open on July 1.

But even though you don't need to be a British Gas customer specifically to apply, there is still a strict criteria you'll have to meet before you can get your hands on the cash.

That's as well as waiting two months for the fund to be available.

You can't have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last two years to be in line for this bout of money.

And you must have an energy debt you're looking to clear off.

Another thing the energy provider will look for to assess your application will be that you've sought help from a money advice agency.

You won't be successful if you've got savings above £1,000 though.