BILL SAVE
Exact time tomorrow UK’s biggest energy supplier is offering half price electricity to thousands of customers
We reveal other ways to help pay for energy bills
THE exact time the UK's biggest energy supplier is offering half-price electricity can be revealed.
Thousands of customers can join the PeakSave Green Flex event between 11am and 1 pm on Tuesday.
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British Gas' PeakSave scheme offers qualifying customers half-price electricity between 11am and 4pm each Sunday as these are "off-peak times".
But the GreenFlex events offer savings during times of sun or wind when more renewable energy is available.
British Gas uses its own forecasting to set the events and email customers to let them know how to save.
Nabbing half-price on your next electricity bill isn't just available for existing PeakSave customers but also for new ones.
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British Gas says: "Households can save more by doing more energy-intensive tasks during a Green Flex event."
It also claims there is no commitment to change your normal activities on the scheme, but customers can save more if they do.
PeakSave was created to reward customers for better energy usage and in this scheme alone, British Gas has paid over £11million to over 600,000 customers.
Every Sunday, all PeakSave customers will still get their half-price electricity without having to opt into the scheme.
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However, you can sign up for the scheme on the British Gas website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.
The supplier will then be in touch with you if your application is successful.
How to cut energy costs and get help with FOUR key household bills
After that, your savings will appear as "PeakSave Credit" on your next energy bill or online statement.
It is important to note that you can only sign up for the scheme if you have a smart meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.
If you don't have a smart meter, don't worry, British Gas will install one for free in your home.
Other ways to help pay for energy bills:
Power Move
If you're not with British Gas, Ovo Energy has a similar scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.
Power Move offers customers up to £10 a month if they use 8.50% or less of their home’s total electricity between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.
For example, by using the dishwasher in the morning or waiting until after 9pm in the evening to catch up on TV.
Household support fund
Millions of households will be able to apply for extra cost-of-living payments from October after the Government confirmed the extension of the Household Support Fund last week.
Each local authority gets a proportion of funding depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and number of vulnerable households.
Local councils can then set their eligibility requirements and distribute the funding how they please.
Support is usually provided to low-income households via supermarket vouchers or cash grants which can be used to help towards energy bills.
The amount you can claim varies, but some offer grants of up to £500.
To get the help, you need to check with your council, as local authorities are in charge of distributing the funding.
To identify your local council, visit gov.uk/find-local-council.
Winter Fuel Payment
The £300 Winter Fuel Payment was previously available to everyone aged 66 and above and helped with high energy costs.
Earlier this year Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced it will be limited to those who receive Pension Credit and a handful of other benefits.
It tops up your weekly income to £218.15 if you are single or to £332.95 if you are an eligible couple.
If your income is lower than this, you’re very likely to be eligible for the benefit.
But if your income is slightly higher, you might still be able to get it if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings or have housing costs.
Check your eligibility by visiting gov.uk/pension-credit.
For more information on the changes to winter fuel payments see our story.
Winter home discount
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill.
Some Scottish households will need to apply and you may be eligible if you receive benefits and have high bills.
Over three million low-income households on benefits will qualify for the £150 this winter.
The money is credited to electricity accounts between October and March each year.
Households in England and Wales will get a letter between October 2024 and early January 2025 telling you if they are eligible.
If you don’t get the letter by early January 2025 and you think you’re eligible, call 0800 030 9322.
What energy bill help is available?
THERE'S a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria varies depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill, and some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
Energy grants
Most suppliers offer grants of up to £1,700 to help hard-up families pay off their energy debts.
These include British Gas, EDF, E.ON, Octopus, Ovo Energy and Scottish Power.
The British Gas Energy Trust Individual and Families Fund is open to everyone, not just the company’s customers.
To qualify, you need to have between £50 and £1,700 of energy debt with your supplier.
To check your eligibility and apply, visit bget.org.uk.
In June, British Gas also launched a £15million “You Pay: We Pay” initiative which sees it match 100 per cent of a customer’s energy debt repayments to help them clear their arrears faster.
Cold weather payments
Cold Weather Payments are issued to low-income households in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to cover the cost of extra heating during the chilliest weeks.
Payments are made between November 1 and March 31.
Eligible households are paid £25 for every seven-day period where temperatures are or are forecast to be, below 0C on average.
You are eligible for a cold weather payment if you receive a number of means-tested benefits, including Universal Credit, and meet certain conditions.
To find out more see gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility.
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Free debt help
If you are struggling to pay your bill, contact your supplier first.
If you cannot agree on a way to pay, get help from Citizens Advice by calling 0808 223 1133 or by visiting citizensadvice.org.uk.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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