EDF has committed £6 million to help customers struggling with energy bills reduce or clear outstanding debt this winter. The funding, allocated through its Customer Support Fund, provides debt relief and debt-matching assistance to vulnerable households. This forms part of a wider £30 million support package for 2026/27, which includes £24 million for existing customer support services.
How the support works
The winter package offers two types of financial assistance. Debt relief helps reduce outstanding arrears, while debt-matching support encourages customers to make affordable ongoing payments while receiving additional help towards their debt. The fund is administered by Charis, which works with energy suppliers to provide financial assistance to vulnerable households.
EDF reported that its Customer Support Fund helped clear around £2.5 million of debt last year, with more than 85 per cent of customers who received debt relief remaining debt-free after 12 months.
Real-life impact
EDF highlighted one customer living with paralysis who had accumulated more than £4,000 in energy debt due to additional energy costs associated with their disability. Following a referral from Citizens Advice Plymouth, the customer received assistance and is now expected to become debt-free within nine months. Another customer experiencing mental health difficulties received support after falling behind on their energy account, subsequently arranging regular payments and clearing their debt.
Additional help available
Alongside financial assistance, EDF's £24 million commitment to existing services includes practical help such as electrical goods, free gas safety checks, and assistance for people with sight loss, delivered through partnerships with charities including Scope and Age UK.
Chris Larkin, Director of Retail at EDF, said: "Our experience shows that targeted support can make a real difference, which is why we're directing our efforts towards helping customers reduce debt, regain control of their finances and build greater financial stability for the future."
What customers should do
Customers falling behind should contact their supplier as early as possible to discuss affordable repayments and available financial support. Those receiving qualifying benefits may also be eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount, although eligibility and application arrangements differ between Scotland and England and Wales. EDF's additional support is separate from the Warm Home Discount.
Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive of Charis, said: "For people already facing financial difficulty or living in vulnerable circumstances, even relatively small increases can make an already stretched household budget much harder to manage." She added that accessible and timely support could help households stay warm and prevent financial difficulties from escalating.
EDF has not yet specified individual eligibility criteria, maximum awards, or application arrangements for its £6 million fund. Customers are advised to contact EDF directly to ask about the Customer Support Fund, available repayment arrangements, and any additional assistance suited to their circumstances. EDF is also calling for a targeted social discount on energy bills, though that proposal is not an existing discount customers can currently claim.
