British Gas Energy Trust
Energy bill debt grants

What is the British Gas Energy Trust?

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charitable trust established in 2004. The trust offers free, impartial support and advice to families and individuals living in England, Wales, and Scotland who are struggling to pay their utility bills, regardless of which energy company they are with.

What grants do the British Gas Energy Trust offer?

British Gas Energy Support Fund

The British Gas Energy Support Fund aims to help the most financially vulnerable British Gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

The fund was set up in response to the increasing cost of living, rising inflation, rising interest rates, and Ofgem’s recent energy price cap increase. The fund aims to help thousands of British Gas customers with fuel debts between £250 and £1,500 (grants over £1,500 may be considered in exceptional circumstances) pay their energy bills over the winter months.

Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund

The Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund is similar to the British Gas Energy Support Fund but is also available to non-British Gas customers.

As both funds offer grants, successful applicants will not need to repay the money credited to their energy account.

What do I need to do before applying for a British Gas Energy Trust grant?

Seek money advice

Before applying to the British Gas Energy Trust for a grant from the British Gas Energy Support Fund or the Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund, you must get professional money advice from your local advice centre. This is so you can find out what other support options are available to you, like what benefits you may be entitled to, offer advice on how to maximise your income, budget planning, understand how to manage your energy costs in the future, and much more.

Your application will not be considered if you do not have proof that you have received money advice.

Check if your energy provider has their own trust fund first

As the money available in the British Gas Energy Trust is limited and the majority of the grant is set aside for British Gas customers, the Trust asks that non-British Gas customers contact their current energy provider to find out what support they may offer before applying for a British Gas Energy Trust grant.

Am I eligible for a British Gas Energy Trust grant?

If you need help with paying off your energy bills debt, you may be eligible for a British Gas Energy Trust grant.

British Gas Energy Support fund

To receive a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust Energy Support Fund, you must:

• Be a British Gas customer


• Live in England, Scotland, or Wales


• Have energy debts of between £250 and £1,500 on an active energy account for your main residence


• Have not received a British Gas Energy Trust grant within the last 12 months


• Be in or are facing fuel poverty


• Have received help from a money advice organisation

In order to support your British Gas Energy Fund application, you will need to provide the following:

• Proof of all household income


• A meter reading for your gas and/or electricity account (unless you have a smart meter)

You will not be able to submit your application without attaching the documents listed above.

Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund

To receive a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund, you must:

• Live in England, Scotland, or Wales


• Have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years


• Have gas and/or electric debt


• Be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity, or dual fuel energy account in your name or be a member of that household.


• The energy account must relate to your main residence.


• Not have savings above £1000


• Have received help from a money advice organisation

You don’t have to be a British Gas customer to apply for a grant from the Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund, but the majority of the grant's funds have been set aside for British Gas customers.

In order to support your Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund application, you will need to provide the following:

• Proof of all household income


• A meter read for your gas and/or electricity account if you are a British Gas customer.
  
  If you are not a British Gas customer, you must provide a bill based on actual readings dated within 4 weeks of your application that shows your name, account number, address, outstanding balance, and confirmation that the balance is based on actual readings


• Have proof of money advice received in the last 3 months, e.g. a letter confirming the advice provided, a standard financial statement, a debt management plan, and/or a Personal Action Plan

You will not be able to submit your application without attaching the documents listed above.

How do I apply for a British Gas Energy Trust grant?

If you meet the criteria needed to receive a grant from either the British Gas Support Fund or the Individuals and Families Debt Write-off Fund provided by the British Gas Energy Trust, click here to create an account and apply for a grant.

If your application is successful, your energy account will be credited with the grant's funds.

Is there help available for British Gas prepayment customers?

If you’re a British Gas customer who is struggling to top up your prepayment meter and you have used up all your emergency credit, you may be entitled to Additional Support Credit. The credit is to keep you on supply and you will need to pay back any credit owed. Call British Gas on 0333 202 9804 for more information.

If you’re receiving benefits and repaying a debt owed to British Gas, you can check if the government’s Fuel Direct Scheme can help. The scheme allows you to pay a manageable weekly amount straight from your benefits. Click here to find out more.