British Gas, EDF, E.ON and Octopus Energy offering grants and bill support worth up to £1,700

Major energy suppliers are offering customers grants, discounts and free support this summer as households continue to face higher energy bills.

British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next and Octopus Energy have all launched or continued schemes designed to help customers struggling with rising costs.

The support comes after energy bills increased by 13 per cent in July for households not protected by fixed-price tariffs.

This latest increase has pushed up the typical cost of gas and electricity for millions of households.

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State pensioners and families struggling with energy debt could qualify for support worth up to £1,700 through a range of schemes.

The initiatives include cash grants to clear energy debts, bill discounts and practical items to help vulnerable customers cope during periods of hot weather.

The British Gas Energy Trust operates an Individual and Families Fund that can provide eligible households with grants of up to £1,700 to help clear energy debt.

It's aimed at people who are struggling to keep up with gas and electricity payments.

Both credit meter customers and prepayment meter customers can apply for support.

State pensioners are among those who may be eligible to receive assistance through the fund.

The trust accepts applications from British Gas customers who need help paying outstanding balances on current gas, electricity or dual fuel accounts.

Applicants must be the account holder or live in the household where the account is registered.

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Anyone who has received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the previous 12 months is not eligible to apply again.

The grant is designed to clear debt on a customer's main home's energy account and cannot be used for second properties.

Applicants must owe at least £50 on a prepayment meter account or at least £250 on a credit account.

The maximum grant available is £1,700 towards either gas or electricity debt.

EDF is also offering Heatwave Relief Packs to up to 10,000 vulnerable customers to help them stay cool during periods of hot weather.

The packs can be worth up to £100 and may include fans, blackout curtains and reusable water bottles.

Customers who receive a pack will also be given a £20 credit towards their energy bill to help cover the cost of running a fan.

E.ON Next operates the E.ON Next Energy Fund, which provides financial support to customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

Octopus Energy also offers year-round assistance through its Octo Assist scheme for customers who need additional support.

During the winter months, Octopus Energy can also provide eligible customers with a free electric blanket, which the supplier says could save users around £300 compared with heating an entire home.

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