Major UK energy suppliers are offering support packages that include grants of up to £2,000, debt write-offs and free heated throws to help households struggling with winter bills. British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus, OVO and ScottishPower have all outlined assistance available to customers facing financial hardship.
British Gas offers up to £2,000 grants
British Gas’s £140 million voluntary support package provides free energy grants of up to £2,000 through the British Gas Energy Trust’s tailored support for households and small business customers, along with funding for advice centres and charities. The company has also committed £40 million to the British Gas Energy Trust over the next five years as part of its contribution to the Warm Home Discount scheme.
The British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charity funded solely by British Gas, has provided support across the UK since 2004, investing over £270 million to help more than 830,000 people. In February 2026, parent company Centrica announced a new £2.4 million, three-year partnership with The Multibank to help households in or facing poverty.
EDF and E.ON Next winter packages
EDF has announced a £30 million Winter Support Package, including direct financial assistance, debt relief, additional credits, prepayment vouchers and expanded partnerships with charities. Since 2003, EDF has supported more than 65,000 customers through its Customer Support Fund, which provides energy debt relief and replaces old white goods. Last year, EDF launched its Warmer Winter Shop, offering bundles that included heated throws, rechargeable hot water bottles and emergency cooking appliances.
E.ON Next’s Energy Fund, with a provision of £10 million, clears debt from energy accounts and provides energy-efficient white goods. The company has allocated part of its Energy Fund to discretionary items for vulnerable customers, including heated throws, and partnered with Lightning Reach to provide access to personalised grants and up to 2,500 different schemes.
Octopus, OVO and ScottishPower support
Octopus’s financial hardship fund, Octo Assist, now stands at £40 million and has helped over 110,000 customers with support such as standing charge holidays, debt write-offs and a “you pay, we pay” scheme. The supplier continues to offer free electric blankets to its most vulnerable customers, with over 100,000 distributed so far, and has loaned thermal imaging cameras to 12,000 customers.
OVO’s Extra Support package has supported 69,792 customers across the UK this year, and since October 2025, OVO has sent 55,000 referrals to the Lightning Reach portal. ScottishPower’s Hardship Fund has provided £89.7m of help to customers to date, and in 2025 the company introduced a new process that undertakes applications on behalf of most vulnerable customers.
