Maximum
£1,700 of energy debt written off
It is open in England, Wales and Scotland. If your supplier runs its own support fund, you must apply there first and be turned down. Your supplier can also offer a payment plan, a payment break or its Priority Services Register.
Quick facts
- Maximum
- £1,700 of energy debt written off
- Prepayment debt
- £50 to £1,700
- Credit account debt
- £100 to £1,700
- Income
- Under £25,000, or another criterion
- Before applying
- Money advice in the last 6 months
How much
"You could be eligible for a grant of up to £1,700 to write off your energy debt." "Prepayment meter customers must owe between £50 – £1,700 in energy debt." "Credit account customers must owe between £100 – £1,700 in energy debt." The debt must be on a current account in your name at your home, not a closed account.
Who can get it — the full rules
"You have a household income of less than £25,000 or someone in the household:" is disabled and gets a disability benefit, gets Carer's Allowance, is the only person living there, or the household has 3 or more children, is a lone parent household, or is in or facing fuel poverty.
"You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years." "You have received money advice or guidance within the last 6 months." If you haven't, the application includes a benefits calculator you can use instead, and you must send the full advice document.
Try your own supplier's fund first
"If you are a customer of OVO, Boost, E.ON Next, EDF, ScottishPower, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utility Warehouse or Sainsbury’s Energy, you must apply to your supplier’s support fund first." Apply to the Trust only after your supplier's fund has turned you down, and keep the evidence.
Other help while you wait
Ask your supplier for a payment plan or payment break, and to put you on its Priority Services Register. The Warm Home Discount and your council's Crisis and Resilience Fund can also help, and Citizens Advice gives free energy advice.
Common questions
Do I need to be with British Gas to get a British Gas Energy Trust grant?
No. It is open to customers of any supplier, but customers of suppliers with their own fund must apply there first.
How much can the British Gas Energy Trust pay?
Up to £1,700 to write off energy debt.
What do I need before I apply?
Money advice or guidance from the last 6 months (or the Trust's benefits calculator), proof if your supplier's own fund turned you down, and a current account in your name with debt in the qualifying range.