British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charity, is relaunching its Energy Support Grant programme on 1 October 2026.

The Trust offers support for British Gas customers (and eligible customers of other suppliers) who are struggling with their energy bills and need help to pay off their energy debt.

The new programme will offer one grant (instead of two separate ones), one set of eligibility criteria and a simpler application.

The grant will be applied as credit to the householder energy account, not as a cash payment.

The Fund will cover arrears of between £50 and £1,700:

  • Prepayment customers must owe between £50 and £1,700 in energy debt.
  • Credit account customers must owe between £100 and £1,700 in energy debt.

Applicants must be a British Gas credit or pre-payment meter customer and meet all of the following criteria:

  • Prepayment customers must owe between £50 – £1,700 in energy debt.
  • Credit account customers must owe between £100 – £1,700 in energy debt.
  • Have not received a grant from the British Gas Trust within the last two years.
  • Live in England, Wales or Scotland.
  • Have received money advice/guidance within the last six months.
  • Be seeking a grant to clear an outstanding debt on a current energy account in their name and place of residence.
  • Have a household income of less than £25,000 or someone in the household:
    • Is registered disabled and receives a disability benefit (inclusive of Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payments, Employment Support Allowance, Attendance Allowance, UC with disability premium or Limited Capability for Work & Work related Activity, Severe Disablement Allowance and Scottish equivalents)
    • Receives Carers Allowance
    • Has 3+ children
    • Is a single household occupant
    • Is a lone parent household with less than 3 children.
    • Is in or facing fuel poverty.

The Trust has recently published a report on the scale of its work in 2025/26. It has delivered support to more than 100,000 people facing financial hardship across Britain. The report also looks ahead to the Trust’s next phase. British Gas is committing a further £40 million over the next five years, providing £8 million a year, to strengthen its programmes, deepen collaboration with frontline organisations and develop new approaches to data and insight. The 2026 report can be read on the Trust’s website.

Applications open 1 October 2026.