for jobless British Gas to prolong aid program for unemployed

British Gas, one of the leading energy providers in the UK, has announced an expansion of its groundbreaking initiative, ‘You Pay: We Pay’. This initiative, which was first launched in June 2024, aims to support customers who are struggling with energy payments by matching 100% of their payments. This helps to reduce or prevent energy debt, a common issue faced by many households.

The company has allocated a budget of £10 million for this scheme and has already provided targeted support to thousands of households facing or at risk of fuel poverty. Due to its success, British Gas has decided to extend the scheme until later this year. Additionally, the company is introducing the option for customers to take payment breaks if they are unable to make regular payments, while still being able to benefit from this support. Customers can also access hardship grants simultaneously with this support.

This extension of the ‘You Pay: We Pay’ initiative showcases British Gas’s commitment to helping customers who are struggling with the cost of living. This scheme is part of a larger £140 million support package, which also includes grants of up to £2,000 through the British Gas Energy Trust (BGET) and funding for advice centers and charities.

British Gas will be sending letters to over 600,000 customers this month, who they believe may be eligible for this support. They have also released an open letter urging those who are facing financial difficulties to explore the options available to them.

Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive of Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, stated, “We understand that this winter has been particularly challenging for many households, and it can be difficult to keep up with increasing bills. Our priority is to provide support for our customers, which is why we are extending our ‘You Pay: We Pay’ scheme.”

He further added, “It is our responsibility to assist our customers, which is why we have allocated £140 million to help those who need it the most. This includes direct support as well as our ongoing commitment to the British Gas Energy Trust.”

Under the ‘You Pay: We Pay’ scheme, British Gas matches the payments made by customers who can afford to pay something over a period of six months. There is no minimum debt balance required to qualify for this scheme. For instance, a customer paying £100 per month will pay £600 over six months, with British Gas providing an additional credit of £600 to their account. This can also help towards clearing any outstanding balance accumulated during the winter months.

This news article was distributed by https://pressat.co.uk/.