British Gas is offering struggling households in England, Scotland and Wales up to £1,700 in grants to pay off their energy debt. The initiative, run through the British Gas Energy Trust, is also open to non-British Gas customers.
The scheme, which was launched in 2021, is designed to support low-income families and vulnerable individuals facing mounting energy bills. According to British Gas, the fund aims to provide “vital support” at a time when high energy costs continue to impact millions across the UK.
Who Can Apply for the Grant
The Individual and Families Fund, administered by the British Gas Energy Trust, has strict eligibility criteria. According to British Gas, applicants must be residents of England, Scotland or Wales and can be customers of any energy supplier. Prepayment customers must have an outstanding energy debt between £50 and £1,700, while those on credit accounts must owe between £250 and £2,000.
Households applying must not have received a grant from the Trust within the last two years. In addition, they must either have an annual household income below £18,723, include a registered disabled member receiving disability benefits, receive Carer’s Allowance, or have three or more children.
Applicants are required to submit evidence of their household income for the past six months, alongside proof of having sought financial advice or debt guidance in the same period. British Gas customers must also provide a recent meter reading, while non-British Gas customers must demonstrate that they first applied for their own supplier’s support scheme and were declined.
How the Application Process Works
Applicants must provide a current energy bill or email from their supplier showing their name, account number, supply address, and balance based on actual meter readings. Non-British Gas customers also need to prove their application to their own supplier’s support fund was unsuccessful before approaching the British Gas Energy Trust.
According to Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of the British Gas Energy Trust, the reopening of the fund “will help those who need it most get back on stable ground and feel confident in keeping their homes and families warm and safe.”
The fund does not cover debts on closed accounts, such as those linked to a previous address or supplier. All applications are assessed individually, and the grants are paid directly to the energy supplier once approved.
