Millions of energy customers across the UK could be eligible for a free fridge or financial aid with their bills through a dedicated support fund.
The E.ON Next Energy Fund is designed to assist bill payers who are facing financial hardship. The energy provider, which serves a customer base of over 47 million, has created this initiative to offer two primary forms of support.
What Support is Available?
The fund provides direct grants to help customers cover their outstanding energy bills. For those with faulty or inefficient appliances, it also offers replacements for a wide range of household items.
This replacement scheme is specifically targeted at appliances that are either broken or in poor condition. Crucially, the new appliances provided are intended to be more energy-efficient, which could lead to significant savings on future energy bills for recipients.
Who is Eligible for Help?
To qualify for a replacement appliance, applicants must first be an existing customer of either E.ON Next or Sainsbury's Energy.
According to Charis, the fund manager, eligibility is not automatic. Decisions are based on a detailed assessment of an applicant's financial situation and health-related circumstances.
For those seeking help with bill payments, a three-month Provisional Award Scheme is in place. During this period, E.ON will suspend any existing debt. Applicants must demonstrate they can cover their average monthly energy use.
If all payments are successfully made throughout this provisional period, E.ON will settle the suspended debt in full. However, if payments are missed, the award will be withdrawn and the original debt, plus any new debt accumulated, will remain payable.
How to Apply for the E.ON Next Fund
E.ON strongly recommends that potential applicants seek independent financial advice before submitting their application. This step can help ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to and can assist in negotiations with other creditors.
When applying, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence, which must be less than three months old. The required documents can include:
- Proof of any medical conditions for household members, such as a letter from a GP.
- Evidence of any benefits or tax credits received by adults in the household.
The only exception to the three-month rule is for annual benefit letters from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). All documents must clearly show your name and address.
Applications for the E.ON Next Energy Fund can be submitted online through the company's official website.
