Summary
Major energy suppliers run charitable trust funds to help customers who are struggling with energy debts. Trust funds may help to reduce or clear energy debts, depending on circumstances.
People who need help with energy debt can apply directly to these trust funds. Applicants will also need to seek advice from a registered money advice agency and show that they can afford their future energy bills.
Eligibility
Each energy supplier’s trust fund may have slightly different criteria, but they usually include:
- An energy account that is currently in use but is in payment arrears
- Having a low household income, receiving means-tested benefits, having three or more children, or being registered disabled
- Not having received help from a trust fund in the recent past (usually one or two years)
- Receiving advice from a registered money advice agency in the last six months, and being able to show how future bills can be managed.
People with several unresolved debts – not just an energy debt – may not be eligible for assistance and should seek specialist debt advice.
People who are not eligible for help from their energy suppliers trust fund or whose applications are refused, can explore other possible grants using the Turn2Us grant finder.
Before applying
Before applying for a trust fund, people with energy debts should contact their energy supplier’s debt team to request a full review of their account, so they understand their energy usage and outstanding balance. The debt team can help to set up a payment plan to make the repayments more manageable.
Applicants should keep paying for the energy they use as they use it, even if they are struggling to pay a previous debt. Most grants require evidence of regular payments being made for the past few months.
People applying to trust funds will also need to seek advice from a registered money advice agency, such as Citizens Advice, StepChange or National Debtline.
Applicants to trust funds will need to provide proof that they have received advice and set up a payment plan, as well as evidence of their income and expenditure.
Making an application
Most trust funds allow direct applications, either online or by phone. Applicants should contact the fund of their own energy supplier.
People whose energy supplier doesn’t have its own trust fund can apply to the British Gas Energy Trust Fund.