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Energy debt grants and help with arrears

There is money set aside to help people clear energy debt, but most of it has to be asked for. Here is where to look, and how to make a strong application.

Applies to: England, Scotland & Wales

Written by The My Debt Cleared editorial teamLast reviewed 18 October 2026Next review 18 April 2027Jurisdiction England, Scotland & WalesEditorial policy
Many energy suppliers run hardship funds that can reduce or clear arrears, and some charitable trusts help customers of any supplier. The Warm Home Discount can take £150 off the electricity bill for many households on means-tested benefits, and councils run crisis support for emergencies. Most funds ask for a budget, and some want you to have spoken to a free debt adviser first.

What to do now

  1. Ask your supplier what hardship fund or grant it runs.
  2. Prepare a budget with the budget calculator to send with applications.
  3. Check the wider help you could get — benefits and grants check.

Supplier hardship funds

Most large suppliers run a fund or scheme for customers in debt. Funds that have been offered include EDF’s Customer Support Fund, the E.ON Next Energy Fund, Octopus Energy’s assistance fund and Scottish Power’s Hardship Fund. Funds open and close during the year, so check your own supplier’s website or ask its financial difficulty team what is open now.

Energy trusts open to any supplier’s customers

The British Gas Energy Trust offers grants to clear household gas and electricity debt to customers of British Gas and other suppliers. Charities also give grants for essentials: Turn2us has a free grants search.

The Warm Home Discount

  • England and Wales, winter 2026 to 2027: households getting a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance on 23 August 2026, with the benefit claimant or their partner named on the electricity bill. Most people get it automatically through data matching; if your supplier cannot be matched, you get a letter asking you to call the helpline.
  • Scotland: a separate scheme. Some households get it automatically, and others in a broader group must apply to their electricity supplier.

The discount comes off your electricity bill; it is not paid to you in cash.

Ofgem’s debt relief plan

Ofgem is introducing a Debt Relief Scheme, which it plans to roll out during 2026, to write off some energy debt built up during the energy crisis, between April 2022 and March 2024, for households on means-tested benefits. Under the plan, suppliers identify eligible customers and contact them, and households are expected to contribute what they can or work with a debt advice charity. Ask your supplier whether it applies to you. You never need to pay anyone to apply.

Council crisis support

In England, councils give emergency help with energy, food and essentials through the Crisis and Resilience Fund. In Wales, ask about the Discretionary Assistance Fund; in Scotland, the Scottish Welfare Fund. Find your council.

Making a strong application

  1. Have your latest bill and account number ready.
  2. Include a full budget showing income and essential spending.
  3. Explain what caused the debt and what has changed.
  4. Say if you are already paying something towards it, even a small amount.
  5. If a fund asks for a debt adviser’s support, a free adviser can help you apply.
You can get free, impartial debt advice

You never have to pay for debt advice. MoneyHelper (government-backed), StepChange, National Debtline and Citizens Advice all give free, confidential advice with no obligation.

Common questions

Can I get my energy debt written off?

Sometimes. Supplier hardship funds and energy trusts can reduce or clear arrears, and Ofgem has set out a debt relief scheme for some older energy crisis debt for people on means-tested benefits.

Do I have to be a British Gas customer to get help from the British Gas Energy Trust?

No. The trust says its debt grants are open to customers of British Gas and other suppliers. Check its website for what is currently open.

Is the Warm Home Discount automatic?

In England and Wales, most eligible households get it automatically through data matching. In Scotland, some households get it automatically and others must apply to their supplier.

Energy debtEnergy payment plansBenefits and grants checkFind your council
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