The fund offers support for struggling customers including grants for energy bills and replacement of broken or poor-condition appliances
Bill payers at a company with more than 47 million customers could be eligible for a free fridge, thanks to E.ON Next’s Energy Fund, which is designed to help those facing financial difficulty. The fund, created by the energy provider, offers two main forms of support: grants to cover energy bills, and replacements for a wide range of household appliances.
The latter is primarily aimed at replacing appliances that are either broken or in poor condition. E.ON’s fund can provide assistance for customers who pay for either gas or electricity.
The company states that the replacement appliances provided through the scheme should be more energy-efficient, potentially saving you money on your bills in the long run. So, who qualifies for this extra support?
To receive a replacement appliance through the fund, applicants must already be customers with E.ON Next or Sainsbury’s Energy. According to Charis, who manages the E.ON Next Energy Fund, eligibility criteria is based on a combination of an applicant’s financial situation and health-related circumstances, reports the Express.
If you are applying for help with paying your electricity and gas bills, you’ll need to pass a three-month Provisional Award Scheme and demonstrate that you can cover your average monthly energy use. During the Provisional Award Scheme, E.ON will suspend any debt you may have.
If all payments have been made throughout the period, E.ON will settle the debt in full. However, if you fail to keep up with the payments, the award scheme will be withdrawn, and the debt, including any further debt accumulated during the award period, will remain in place and need to be paid.
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How to apply for the fund
E.ON recommends that you seek financial advice before submitting an application. This is to give you the chance to negotiate with any other creditors you may have, as well as ensure you’re receiving all the benefits and extra income you could be eligible for.
You may also be asked to provide the following evidence to E.ON while they consider your application to determine your eligibility:
- Proof of any illness someone in your household has been diagnosed with by a doctor or medical professional – this can include a letter, summary, or certificate from a doctor, medical professional or health worker
- Proof of any benefits or tax credits any adult in your household may be receiving
E.ON emphasises that all supporting evidence should be less than three months old. The only exception to this is annual benefit letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). All supporting documents should also clearly display your name and address. You can submit an application for the E.ON Next Energy Fund online here.