UK households struggling with energy debt are being urged to check if they qualify for a British Gas Energy Trust grant worth up to £1,700. The Energy Support Grant is open to eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales, with applications available to customers using both prepayment meters and credit accounts.
Who can apply for the grant?
The scheme is designed to help people struggling with energy debt, with a single application process and one set of eligibility criteria. Prepayment meter customers must owe between £50 and £1,700 in energy debt, while those paying through a credit account must owe between £100 and £1,700.
Applicants must also be seeking help with outstanding debt on a current energy account registered in their name and at their home address. Debts relating to closed accounts, including those following a house move or a change of supplier, cannot be considered. Households must not have received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the previous two years.
Eligibility requirements
To qualify, applicants must have received money advice or guidance within the past six months. Those who have not received advice can use a self-help benefits calculator provided by one of the charity's trusted partners as part of the application process. Applicants will need to provide their full money advice document, as screenshots or incomplete pages will not be accepted.
The scheme is aimed at households facing financial pressure. Applicants must have a household income below £25,000 or meet at least one of the additional qualifying circumstances. These include having someone in the household who is registered disabled and receives a qualifying disability benefit, or someone who receives Carer's Allowance. Households with three or more children may also qualify, as can single-person households and lone-parent families with fewer than three children.
How to apply
People who are in, or facing, fuel poverty may also be eligible, subject to the scheme's criteria. The grant is available to customers of British Gas and other energy suppliers. However, customers of OVO, Boost, E.ON Next, EDF, ScottishPower, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utility Warehouse and Sainsbury's Energy must first apply to their own supplier's support fund.
If their application is declined, they can then apply to the British Gas Energy Trust. Evidence of the refusal will be required. Eligible households can apply through the British Gas Energy Trust's online application portal. Applicants should ensure they have the required information and supporting documents, including evidence of their energy debt and their full money advice document.
The charity also directs people struggling with energy bills towards further help through its funded money and energy advice projects, local advice centres and organisations including Turn2us, StepChange and Citizens Advice. Households can also check Energy UK's guidance on additional support available from energy suppliers. More information and the application portal are available on the British Gas Energy Trust website.
