The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Individuals and Families Fund, a support scheme providing up to £1,700 to households struggling with energy debt on a prepayment or credit account.
The Individuals and Families Fund is open to eligible customers of any energy supplier, if that supplier does not have its own support scheme.
It provides energy debt grants to eligible households with up to £1,700 of debt on a prepayment meter or credit account.
Before applying, you must receive money guidance from a money advice agency or use the online budgeting tool available as part of the application. The fund is open to British Gas and non-British Gas customers.
The criteria that must be met are:
- The fund is open to British Gas customers and customers of other suppliers. For customers of OVO, Boost, Eon, Eon Next, EDF, Scottish Power, Octopus, Shell Energy, SSE, Utilita and Utility Warehouse, these suppliers have their own energy support funds so please apply directly to them. You can only apply to the Individuals and Families Fund if you have already applied to your suppliers fund and have been declined (evidence will be required)
- You are living in England, Scotland or Wales.
- Prepayment customers must owe between £50 – £1,700 in energy debt
- Credit account customers must owe between £250 – £2,000 in energy debt
- You have not received a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust within the last 2 years
- You have a household income of less than £18,723 or someone in the household is registered disabled and receives a disability benefit or receives Carers Allowance or has 3+ children
- You are seeking a grant to clear outstanding debt on a current energy account in your name and place of residence. We cannot consider applications for closed accounts (ie if you have moved home or changed supplier)
- You have received help from a money advice agency or used our trusted partner’s self help Benefit Calculator tool within the last 6 months.
As part of its support package the Trust also funds over 40 money and energy advice projects in community-based charities and social enterprises across Britain. These projects provide clients with free and impartial advice on things such as budget planning, benefits and income maximisation checks, energy efficiency measures and generalist subjects such as housing, employment and mental health support.