The British Gas Energy Trust - help with energy debt

British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity¹ set up to help families and individuals in poverty with a focus on energy debt across England, Scotland and Wales.

If you're affected and don't know where to turn, find the support that’s available.

Want to talk face-to-face?

We’re back working with the Post Office and trained advisors from British Gas Energy Trust funded organisations to offer in-person money and energy advice in the local community.

For the past 20 years, the British Gas Energy Trust has supported more than 2.2 million³ people with energy debt grants, funded money and energy advice services, set up Post Office Pop-ups  and provided online budgeting tools.

To mark 20 years of the Trust, we’re donating £20 million, taking our total contribution since launching the Trust in 2004 to over £200 million. This additional donation will ensure help is available in the years to come.

Are you getting all that you’re entitled to?

Millions of households are missing out on benefits they are entitled to. The Bounce Back Checklist details the main benefits and schemes to help you maximise your income -  whether you’re working or not - with quick links to find out if you qualify and how to apply. It also lists specialist organisations that offer guidance and support on a range of other issues you may be facing.

If your energy bills are more than you can afford to pay right now, speak with your supplier to see if you can pay what you owe by instalments as part of a payment plan.

Not with British Gas? Click here for a handy list of who to speak to at the main UK energy companies. If you can’t see your supplier in the list, Google your supplier’s name and add “struggling to pay” in the search box.

If you’re a British Gas customer, we’ll do everything we can to help you. Just click the link below to get started.

The British Gas Energy Trust funds advice-giving organisations across England, Wales and Scotland. You can speak to a trained advisor for free in-person, online or by phone. It’s a great next step to getting your bills under control and will help if you later decide to apply for any grants. They can help with:

• Planning your budget
• Checking your benefits entitlement
• Making sure you’re on the most suitable energy tariff
• Negotiating with energy suppliers and resolving energy debt problems
• Completing grant applications
• Specific energy efficiency advice

Just knowing someone is there for you can help take the pressure off, boost your confidence and give you the strength to get back on your feet again.

If you’re struggling with domestic gas and electricity debts owed to British Gas, you may be eligible to apply for a grant from the Trust to help clear that debt. 

You should get money or debt advice before applying for a grant. This will help you feel confident that you’ll be able to manage your energy costs in the future and support your application.

The Trust is unable to help everyone who applies. Please note the Trust will require information on your financial circumstances to be able to assess your application. The full criteria and how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website. The grants available and eligibility criteria may change from time to time.

Since May 2022, British Gas has been working alongside the Post Office and specialist advisors from the Trust funded organisations to offer in-person money and energy advice at local Post Offices across Great Britain.

Now we’re back running more pop-ups and hoping to help thousands more people this Winter. Check our locations and dates to see if we’re coming to a Post Office near you.

Find out how frontline advice services, funded by the British Gas Energy Trust, are providing money, benefits and energy efficiency advice and awarding grants to households to remove energy debt and fund emergency fuel credit.   

Want to know how much gas and electricity you’re using compared with a typical household?

How much you pay depends on your lifestyle, the size of your home and how many people you live with. See how your bills compare with the average British household and what’s makes up your energy bills.

With higher energy costs this winter, it’s never been more important to understand how energy is used around your home – and what energy-efficient steps you can take to lower your bills.