A number of the UK’s top energy suppliers are providing grants to their customers experiencing financial difficulties. These include Scottish Power, EDF and British Gas.
With typical energy bills set to hit £4,650 a year from January 2023, these non-repayable grants will help struggling UK households to reduce their energy debt.
The grant schemes are not currently standardised across the board, meaning each supplier will approach it differently, with it being likely that the criteria for which UK households qualify will vary from household-to-household.
While the criteria will vary slightly, the majority of UK energy supplier offering grants will require their applicants to have consulted a debt advisor prior to applying, complete an income and expenditure budgeting form, provide proof of income, provide details of how they arrears have build up, and detail how exactly the grant will benefit them.
As such, the UK households deemed to be in the greatest need of financial support are likely to be priorities to be recipients of the grants and this will help to lower their energy bills amid the current energy crisis.
Which UK Energy Suppliers are Providing Grants?
Below is a list of the UK energy suppliers that are providing grants, as well as their key eligibility criteria, the amount of the grant and details of the application process.
- British Gas
British Gas are providing grants of up to £1,500 to UK households that are currently in or facing poverty, and have not yet received a grant from British Gas in the past two years.
More details on British Gas’ grant scheme, as well as how to apply, can be found on their website here.
- EDF
EDF are providing grants to UK households that are currently experiencing financial hardship or are struggling to handle their energy debt. Prospective applicants can apply through a web form here or by calling 0800 269 450 (1).
- E.on Next
E.on Next are providing grants to UK households on a case-by-case basis. It will be based on their needs and ability to pay their energy bills. Prospective applicants can apply through a web form here or by calling 03303 801 090 (1).
- Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy are providing grants to UK households on a case-by-case basis too. There is no set limit on the grant size, as it is dependent on individual circumstances.
The grants are only available exclusively to Octupus Energy customers through their web form here.
- Scottish Power
Scottish Power are providing grants to UK households that are recipients of one of the following; income support, pension credit, jobseeker’s allowance or employment and support allowance. The size of the grant will depend on individual needs, as well as the funds available to hand out
Prospective applicants can apply through their web form here.
What Other Support is Available to Help With Paying Towards Energy Bills in the UK?
Not all UK households will be eligible for an energy supplier grant. As such, it is worth remembering that there is alternative help available.
The UK Government is set to provide almost all UK households with a £400 grant this winter to help with rising energy bills, paid by their suppliers between October 2022 and March 2023. Furthermore, those who are in receipt of certain means-tested benefits should receive an additional £650 towards their energy bills this year in the form of two payments. This has been dubbed as the ‘Cost of Living’ payment, with the first already being sent out earlier this year.
Additionally, millions of UK households on lower incomes will receive a £150 warm home discount from October this year, as well as those over the state pension age will be eligible to receive up to £600 as part of a winter fuel payment from November onwards.
