Energy debt is a growing concern across the UK, particularly as the cost of living crisis persists. With many households already grappling with high energy bills, the need for effective support has never been more pressing. The ESF and I&F are aimed at alleviating some of this financial burden by offering grants of up to £2,000, depending on the applicant’s energy provider and debt level.
British Gas Customers Can Access the Energy Support Fund (ESF)
The Energy Support Fund (ESF) is primarily aimed at British Gas customers. It offers grants of up to £2,000 to help clear energy debt on prepayment meters or credit accounts. According to the British Gas Energy Trust, the fund is designed to assist individuals who are experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty, helping them regain control over their energy costs.
To qualify for the ESF, applicants must meet certain criteria. They need to be British Gas customers living in Scotland, England, or Wales, with outstanding energy debt ranging from £50 to £2,000 on a prepayment meter or £250 to £2,000 on a credit account. Additionally, applicants must have received assistance from a money advice agency within the last six months and should not have received a grant from the Trust in the past 12 months.
Last year, the Trust helped clear energy debt for thousands of families, offering relief to those most severely impacted by the rising cost of living. The ESF is part of a broader initiative by the Trust, which aims to provide vital support to households struggling with energy costs, ensuring families can remain safe and warm in their homes during the harsh winter months.
The Individuals and Families Fund Expands Access to More Households
For those who are not British Gas customers, the Individuals and Families Fund (I&F) offers a similar financial lifeline. This fund is open to all households in the UK, regardless of energy supplier, as long as they meet certain eligibility criteria. The I&F provides up to £1,700 to households struggling with energy debt.
According to the British Gas Energy Trust, the I&F is designed for households whose energy suppliers do not offer their own support funds or who have already been rejected by their supplier’s scheme. This fund covers energy debt on both prepayment meters and credit accounts, with the debt limits set at £1,700.
To be eligible, applicants must live in Scotland, England, or Wales, have energy debt within the specified limits, and have received money advice from a trusted agency within the last six months. One key difference between the I&F and the ESF is that applicants must show evidence of having applied to their supplier’s own scheme before being considered for the I&F. This ensures that the fund is used as a last resort for households facing serious financial hardship.
A Vital Support System in Challenging Times
These funds come at a critical time, especially as energy prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Rising bills, combined with general inflation and economic uncertainty, have left many households struggling to meet their basic needs. According to reports, the Individuals and Families Fund helped 2,051 households across the UK in the previous year, clearing more than £947,000 in energy debt.
The grants provided by the British Gas Energy Trust are a vital tool for helping families stay afloat during tough financial times. Jessica Taplin, CEO of the British Gas Energy Trust, stated: “Many households across Britain continue to struggle with high energy costs alongside other financial challenges, and this means we can once again provide vital support, regardless of which energy supplier they’re with.”
