The British Gas Energy Trust - help with energy debt
No matter which energy company you are with – if you’re struggling with your bills, you are not alone. The British Gas Energy Trust is here to help.
Giving energy debt grants and advice
British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity1 funded by British Gas. The Trust helps families and individuals struggling with energy debt across England, Scotland and Wales.
If you’re struggling with energy debt, and don’t know where to turn – find the support that’s available.
If you’ve already had money advice, and are ready to apply, check the grants the Trust has available.
How British Gas Energy Trust can help
Independent charitable trust
Funded solely by British Gas since 2004, the British Gas Energy Trust has provided consistent money and energy advice for vulnerable households and is one of the largest, grant-giving energy trusts in the UK.
The Trust doesn’t mind who your energy supplier is
Whether you’re with British Gas or another supplier, there is help available to you. The majority of the information on this page applies to customers of any supplier, but if you’re a British Gas customer you’ll find more focused help towards the bottom of the page.
Advice local to you
The Trust funds local organisations that provide free 1-2-1 money, benefits, and energy-saving advice.
The Trust throughout the year runs a direct access energy debt programme, awarding grants to households most in need of support. Funds are limited and subject to eligibility.
Help for our customers
Our £140 million support package2 offers extra support to customers facing financial hardship including vulnerable prepayment customers and small businesses.
Step 1. Check you’re getting what you’re entitled to
Millions of households miss out on benefits they are entitled to.
The Bounce Back Checklist details the main benefits and schemes that help you increase your income - whether you’re working or not. There’s quick links to find out if you qualify and how to apply.
Don’t forget to review your household budget
It’s always a good idea to review your household budget to see if you can make any immediate savings. That means understanding exactly how much money you have coming in daily, weekly or monthly (your income).
The Better Off Calculator is a tool to help you better understand your income and outgoings.
Step 2. Speak with your energy supplier
If you’re struggling with energy bills, speak with your supplier to see if you can pay by instalments as part of a payment plan.
Not with British Gas? We’ve produced a 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.
Step 3. Get money and energy advice local to you
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. You can get 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
British Gas Energy Trust are also partnering with the Post Office to host community pop-ups across England, Scotland, and Wales. Trained advisors will be available to discuss support for managing money and energy bills.
Step 4. Applying for a grant
You must get money advice before applying for a grant from British Gas Energy Trust. The trust is unable to help everyone who applies. There’s two grants available. Full details and how to apply can be found on the Trust’s website.
British Gas Energy Support Fund
The British Gas Energy Trust has reopened its Energy Support Fund. British Gas customers can apply for grants up to £2,000 to help with energy debt. The Energy Support Fund is available to British Gas customers with credit and pre-payment meter accounts.
Individuals and Families Fund
This fund is open to British Gas and non-British Gas customers. If your energy supplier has its own support fund, you won’t be able to apply.
Raising awareness of the support available for energy debt
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.
How the British Gas Energy Trust is helping people in energy debt across Britain
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.
Celebrating 20 years of the British Gas Energy Trust
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.
Hear from people the British Gas Energy
Trust have already helped
British Gas Energy Trust supports grassroots organisations like IncomeMax and Citizen’s Advice. Watch Manpreet and Zara’s story to see how it helped them take control of their finances.
What’s the average monthly energy bill?
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.
How to save energy at home
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.
Additional support
We’ve detailed where on other supplier’s websites where you can find more information about the help available. If your supplier isn’t listed, search in Google for your supplier's name and add “struggling to pay” in the search box.
Help from the government
Find out what government support is available to help households deal with rising energy costs.
Help and advice for British Gas customers
Struggling to pay your energy bills?
Last year, we helped over 300,000 customers manage their debt. So, don't be afraid to tell us why you're struggling, and we'll do everything we can to support you.
Priority Services Register
Our Priority Services Register is a free support service for people who may be vulnerable – perhaps because of their age, health or disability, or if they’re going through a difficult time in their lives.
Warm Home Discount
You may be eligible for a yearly £150 discount on your electricity bills.
Additional information
British Gas Energy Trust is Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation no 1179578.
Source: Centrica February 2024.
On 25 August 2022, we announced a £25+ million customer support package with an additional £25 million of help for our customers announced in November 2022. In September 2023 we committed a further £50 million and another £40 million in February 2024, taking the amount we've invested in customer support to £140 million. On top of this, British Gas’ contribution to the Warm Home Discount scheme is over £92 million, which is the largest contribution compared to other energy suppliers. Source: Ofgem September 2023.
Figures are based on historical sources, some of which are not audited accounts.