Debt relief grants from energy supplier trust funds are designed for households struggling with energy bill debt that they cannot realistically repay through their normal bill payments.

This support is most relevant if you:

• Owe money to your energy supplier (gas or electricity arrears)

• Are experiencing financial hardship because of energy debt

• Have tried payment plans but are still behind

• Have historic debt that you can’t afford

• Are being charged for energy you cannot pay for

You don’t always need to be a current customer of the trust-funder supplier — some funds accept applications from customers of other energy companies. 

Energy supplier trust funds and hardship funds can offer one-off, non-repayable grants to reduce or clear energy debt. Support varies by provider but is usually applied directly to your energy account.

Major UK trust funds and hardship schemes include:

• British Gas Energy Trust
  Independent charity offering debt relief grants (often up to ~£1,700) to households in hardship. Applications usually require independent debt advice.
  Accepts applications from customers of other energy suppliers.

  https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/

• British Gas – Energy Support Fund
  Supplier hardship fund offering debt support to British Gas and Scottish Gas customers, sometimes alongside payment plans or write-offs.

• EDF Energy – Customer Support Fund
  Can help reduce energy debt and, in some cases, support essential household needs such as replacement white goods.

  https://edfmoreinfo.charisgrants.com/

• E.ON Next – Energy Fund
  Offers hardship support for customers struggling with energy arrears and wider financial difficulty.

  https://www.eonnext.com/energy/guides/energy-fund

• Octopus Energy – Octo Assist Fund
  Provides targeted support for customers facing temporary or ongoing financial hardship.

  https://octopus.energy/blog/bill-support/

• OVO Energy – OVO Energy Fund
  Supports customers with energy debt through tailored hardship assistance.

https://www.ovoenergy.com/extra-support

Grant amounts, eligibility and application routes vary by fund and are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Check the links above for accurate information.

• Direct to your energy account: Grants are usually applied straight to your arrears by the supplier or trust.

• Not cash in hand: You will not receive the money directly — the fund pays your supplier on your behalf.  

Because this is trust/charity-based support, applications are often done with help and usually require independent money or debt advice first.

Typical steps:

1. Get free debt advice from a recognised service such as:
   

   • Citizens Advice (https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/)

   • StepChange debt charity https://www.stepchange.org/

   • Local money advice services
     (This is often a requirement of the trust fund before they consider your application.)  

   2. Submit an application to the trust

• For the British Gas Energy Trust, go to:
  https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/grants-available/

• British Gas – Energy Support Fund
  https://www.britishgas.co.uk/energy/help-with-bills/british-gas-energy-support-fund.html

• EDF Energy – Customer Support Fund

  https://edfmoreinfo.charisgrants.com/

• E.ON Next – Energy Fund
  Offers hardship support

  https://www.eonnext.com/energy/guides/energy-fund

• Octopus Energy – Octo Assist Fund

  https://octopus.energy/blog/bill-support/

• OVO Energy – OVO Energy Fund

https://www.ovoenergy.com/extra-support

3. Provide evidence of your situation

• Income and outgoings

• Evidence of arrears

Debt advice confirmation

4. Wait for assessment

• Processing can take several weeks

• If successful, the trust pays your supplier directly

While specifics vary by fund:

• You typically must show energy arrears within specified limits (e.g., under £1,700 for some British Gas Trust funds).  

• You often need confirmation of independent debt advice first.  

• Some supplier-linked funds require you to be a customer of that supplier; others (like the British Gas Trust) can accept applications from customers of other suppliers.  

Find your supplier below to see if you can apply.

• British Gas Energy Trust

• Scottish Power Hardship Fund

• Ovo Energy Fund

• ON Energy Fund

• ON Next Energy Fund

• EDF Energy Customer Support Fund

• Octopus ‘Octo Assist Fund’

If your supplier is not listed:

Charis have partnered with UK energy companies to support households through the Let’s Talk Energy Fund.

Alternatively if your supplier isn’t listed, it’s a good idea to contact them directly to see what extra support they can give you.