The British Gas Energy Trust set out the terms of its Individuals and Families Fund (I&F) on 10 April 2026, stating that the scheme offers grants of up to £1,700 to prepayment meter customers in energy debt, regardless of their energy supplier1. The Trust is an independent body that funds grants for energy debt and publishes guidance on crisis funds and hardship grants.
The Trust states that applicants may be eligible if they meet three conditions: debt of between £50 and £1,700 on a prepayment meter, residence in England, Scotland or Wales, and money advice received within the last six months1. The Trust says the grants are intended to clear arrears and help people move towards greater financial stability1.
"I&F offers grants of up to £1,700 to prepayment meter customers in energy debt, regardless of their energy supplier."
The Trust reports that around 40% of people with prepayment meters are using them to repay energy debt1. It cites one case, identified only as Mr H, a 56-year-old registered disabled ex-armed forces veteran in a local authority property, who applied with assistance from Citizens Advice and was awarded an energy grant of £1,2901. The Trust says his budget covered ongoing energy costs but not his arrears1.
The Trust's page carries a note that the post has not been updated in a while and that some details may no longer be accurate, directing readers to its support pages for current information1. No closing date, application volume or total fund value is given in the announcement1.
Why it matters for households
A prepayment meter deducts a standing charge and any debt repayment before gas or electricity reaches the home, so arrears reduce the energy a household can actually use. Clearing that balance through a grant removes the deduction and restores the full value of each top-up, which is the point at which a meter stops being a debt collection mechanism and starts being a straightforward way to buy energy. The Trust's figure that around 40% of prepayment meter users are repaying debt through the meter indicates how common that position is1.
The fund is not tied to British Gas supply, so eligibility does not depend on the household's supplier1. The requirement for money advice within the last six months means the route in usually runs through an advice service rather than a direct application alone1. Households in England, Scotland and Wales can check the help available in England, in Scotland and in Wales, and the wider picture of grants and household energy independence sets out how one-off awards sit alongside ongoing bill support.
What happens next
The Trust directs applicants to its Grants Available page to check eligibility criteria and apply1. No deadline for the fund is stated in the announcement1.
Sources1 cited
- Up to £1,700 Energy Debt for Prepayment Meter Customers | British Gas Energy Trust, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk