British Gas is offering up to £2,000 in free cash payments to state pensioners who have lost their Winter Fuel Payment and anyone else who is struggling to make ends meet due to high energy bills this winter.

British Gas has brought back its British Gas Energy Trust's Individual and Families Fund, which is accepting new applications from those struggling with energy debts from Monday, November 4.

Though it's a British Gas scheme, the fund is also being offered to customers of other energy companies including OVO, Octopus, EDF and E.On too although British Gas is urging customers to contact their own energy firms first.

The fund comes as Ofgem announced an energy bills increase just in time for winter, with the average dual fuel gas and electricity bill going up 10 percent, or £149, from October 1 and just as state pensioners lose their £300 Winter Fuel Allowance this year.

In order to qualify for the fund, you must have between £50 and £1,700 of debt on your account (any company, not just a British Gas account).

You must be in England, Scotland or Wales, and have not received a grant from British Gas in the past two years.

You also must be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on an existing, open account and it must be for your main residence, and need to have been given advice by a money help service in the past six months, such as Citizens Advice.

The British Gas scheme is open to any energy customer but OVO, E.On, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, Utilita and Octopus Energy all have their own hardship schemes so it's recommended that you try those first.

British Gas said: "The Individual and Families Fund is open to credit and pre-payment meter customers. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund - you can be a British Gas Customer, or a customer from another supplier with arrears of up to £1,700. However, we want to ensure that grants go to people who cannot access energy debt help from their own provider."

"If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant. Please note the British Gas Energy Trust does not award cash payments. You must be in or facing fuel poverty."

To apply go here.