British Gas has reopened its Energy Support Fund for new applications, with the fund open from 2 October 2023 and grants of up to £1,500 available as part of a £100 million support package1. The British Gas Energy Trust, which runs the fund, confirmed on 29 September 2023 that the Energy Support Fund is now open for applications2.
The Trust describes itself as "an independent charity, separate to, but solely funded by British Gas", with the purpose of helping to eliminate the detrimental impact of poverty with a focus on energy debt2. Support is delivered through three programmes: debt relief grants which can help households with up to £2,000 in fuel debt; a small grants programme providing emergency energy vouchers and payments; and Supporting Communities at Risk, which operates across England, Scotland and Wales and funds over 45 front-line charities2. In the year to March 2023, the Trust supported vulnerable energy customers across Britain with £15m in energy debt grants and £2m in emergency fuel vouchers2.
The reopening came alongside a change in the price cap. Ofgem's price cap dropped on 1 October, reducing the average annual bill from £2,074 to £1,9231. The £100 million package includes free energy grants, tailored assistance for households and small businesses, and funding for advice centres and charities1.
"The British Gas Energy Trust, Energy Support Fund is now open for applications."
Eligibility criteria differ between the Trust's two debt relief grants. The Energy Support Fund is open to British Gas customers with credit and pre-payment meter accounts, while the Individuals and Families Fund is open to both British Gas and non-British Gas credit or pre-payment meter account holders2. Applicants to the Energy Support Fund must be British Gas customers, have received help from a money advice or guidance agency, live in England, Scotland or Wales, hold electric and/or gas debt on their British Gas account of between £250 and £2,000, not have received a grant from the Trust within the last 12 months, be applying to clear outstanding debt on a current account in their name or as a household member relating to their main residence, and be in or facing fuel poverty2. The Individuals and Families Fund requires energy debt up to £2,000, a credit account or pre-payment meter in the applicant's main residence in their name, residence in England, Scotland or Wales, no Trust grant within the last two years, and help from a money advice agency2. Suppliers with their own support fund are excluded from the Individuals and Families Fund: Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Ovo, Octopus, SSE and Utilita (credit customers only)2. The Trust states that successful applicants have their energy account credited with the grant and that it does not award cash payments2.
The two sources give different maximum figures: IGEM reports grants of up to £1,5001, while the Trust describes debt relief grants that can help households with up to £2,000 in fuel debt2.
Why it matters for households
For a household carrying energy debt, a grant credited to the account reduces what is owed rather than providing cash, so it lowers the arrears balance directly2. The requirement to have received help from a money advice or guidance agency means the route to a grant runs through advice services rather than a direct application alone2. Because the fund is limited to British Gas customers, households with other suppliers face different routes, and those whose supplier runs its own support fund are excluded from the Individuals and Families Fund2. The reduction in the price cap from £2,074 to £1,923 changes the ongoing cost of energy, while the grant addresses debt already accrued1. Together these affect how far a household's energy bills weigh on its energy independence, and the crisis and hardship funds landscape more broadly.
What happens next
The Energy Support Fund opened for new applications on 2 October 20231. The Trust directs applicants to its Grants Available page to apply for the Energy Support Fund or to find out more about the Individuals and Families Fund, and to its Fuel and Energy Advice page to find local money and energy advice2. No closing date for applications has been reported.
Sources2 cited
- British Gas grants help with energy bills | The Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM), igem.org.uk
- British Gas Energy Support Fund - British Gas Energy Trust, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk