We're here to help. The UK’s biggest ever energy support package
Our £140 million support package1 is providing extra support to customers facing financial hardship – including free energy grants, tailored support for households and small business customers and funding for advice centres and charities. Find out how we’re helping.
The British Gas Energy Support Fund
British Gas Energy Trust
Through the British Gas Energy Trust, our support fund has helped more than 21,000 British Gas customers since 2021 with energy debt write off grants worth up to £2,000. It’s also funding extra money advice services across England, Scotland and Wales, building on the support already offered to all households.
Looking for more help?
We know some of these grants and benefits won’t apply to everyone. But if you’re struggling to afford your energy bills, let us know. We’ve got lots of ways to make things more manageable.
And the sooner you tell us, the more we can do to help.
Targeted support for our most vulnerable customers
100% match energy bill payments
We’re helping tens of thousands of customers in or facing fuel poverty to reduce their energy debt by 100% matching bill payments with credit over a 6-month period.
Our ‘You Pay: We Pay’ scheme is unique to the energy sector. Eligible customers will be identified and receive the support after an assessment by one of our specially trained advisors - they don’t need to do anything to apply.
British Gas will match payments made by those who can afford to pay something over a 6-month period from June 2024 and there’s no minimum level of debt balance needed to qualify. For example, a customer paying £100 a month will pay £600 over 6 months and we will pay an additional £600 credit on their account, which may also help towards clearing an outstanding balance owed.
Customers can still access support offered via the British Gas Energy Trust
Help on-hand, however you pay
Our support fund can help if you’re struggling with energy debt, however you pay.
That includes £10 million of support specifically for some vulnerable prepayment customers, who could receive up to £250 of ‘non-repayable’ credit. If you’re eligible, we’ll be in touch. There’s no need to apply.
We’ve been helping local businesses too
We set up a £15 million fund to offer free grants to small businesses that needed extra support with their energy costs - like pubs, cafes, restaurants and hairdressers. All the grants have now been awarded.
New local money advice services
The British Gas Energy Trust2 are funding new drop-in centres and advisors across the UK to help you manage your finances and save money on bills. They’ll even check to see if you’re missing out on benefits you might be eligible for. Check to see if there’s one near you.
Find my nearest money advice centre
Money and energy advice in the community
Since May 2022 we’ve been working with the Post Office and trained advisors from British Gas Energy Trust funded organisations to provide in-person money and energy advice in local communities across Great Britain.
More call centre advisors
Being there for our customers has never been more important. So we’ve invested in extra UK-based call centre advisors to help manage wait times and answer questions quicker. But don’t forget, it’s always easier to manage your account online.
The British Gas Energy Trust
The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity2 that funds frontline advice services in local communities providing free 1-2-1 money, benefits, and energy efficiency advice - no matter which supplier you’re with. They also run a direct access energy debt programme - awarding grants to households to write off energy debt and fund emergency fuel credit. The grants available and eligibility criteria may change from time to time.
Benefits checker
Are you receiving all the Government benefits you're entitled to? We want to make sure you are getting all the financial support available. Use this tool to check.
Government help for households
Here you'll find all the benefits and schemes available from the Government to help you manage your costs.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount is a yearly payment to help those living on low incomes or pensions with their energy bills during the winter.
Additional information
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.
British Gas Energy Trust is Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation no 1179578.