The British Gas Energy Trust introduced a White Goods Fund on 14 December 2023 for clients in England and Wales experiencing financial hardship1. The fund provides four types of appliance: refrigerators, freezers, electric cookers and washing machines1.
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 debt1. It already runs 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 a programme that funds over 45 money and energy advice charities1.
"To be eligible for this fund, clients must be in or facing fuel poverty, and must be in receipt of:"
The qualifying benefits listed are Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, income related employment and support allowance, income based job seekers allowance, Income Support, Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits), Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, and Pension Credit and savings credit1. Alternatively, applicants must have received Emergency Fuel Vouchers from the Trust previously1.
| Fund element | Detail |
|---|---|
| Appliances offered | Refrigerators, freezers, electric cookers, washing machines |
| Nations covered | England and Wales |
| Eligibility route | In or facing fuel poverty, plus a listed benefit or previous Emergency Fuel Vouchers |
| How to apply | Referral from British Gas or a Trust-funded organisation |
Both British Gas customers and non-British Gas customers in England and Wales can apply, but only through referral from British Gas or one of the Trust's funded organisations1. The Trust has not reported the total value of the fund, the number of appliances available, or a closing date.
Why it matters for households
A refrigerator, freezer, cooker or washing machine is a working appliance rather than a payment, and replacing one that has failed is a cost that low-income households often cannot absorb alongside energy debt. The fund sits alongside the Trust's existing debt relief grants of up to £2,000 and its emergency voucher scheme, so it addresses a different part of the same problem: keeping a home functioning while arrears are managed1. For a household's energy independence, the practical effect is limited to the appliances named. There is no insulation, heating system or renewable generation in the offer, so it does not change how much energy a home uses or where that energy comes from. Eligibility is tied to the benefit list above and to referral, which means a household that does not receive one of those benefits, or that cannot reach a referring organisation, has no route in as described1. The Trust's own page carries a note that the post has not been updated in a while and that some details may no longer be accurate1.
What happens next
The Trust has not reported a closing date, an application window or a total budget for the White Goods Fund1. Applications are made by referral from British Gas or a Trust-funded organisation, and the Trust directs readers to its grants available and who can apply pages for current information1.
Sources1 cited
- British Gas Energy Trust White Goods Fund | White Goods Grant Support, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk