All the help with the energy bill available this winter for those who have difficulty paying

Customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get help from gas and electricity companies, including grants, free boilers and fixed charges.

The average household will pay energy bills of £1,714 a year from 1 October when Ofgem reinstates its energy price cap, but some households may be able to get help with these high costs.

All suppliers have to provide some form of support to certain customers, such as the elderly, the vulnerable and those in fuel poverty, under government rules.

The first step for someone having problems with energy bills is to talk to their energy company.

These companies must try to establish an affordable payment plan in line with Ofgem’s rules or review one that already exists.

Energy companies may also offer assistance, such as payment suspensions and a review of any debt payments.

But they can also go further, with measures such as subsidies, replacing old appliances and free help to make homes warmer.

However, many of the details of this energy company assistance are difficult to track and may have rigid criteria about who can apply for it.

All energy companies offer slightly different support schemes, and most are only open during the colder winter months when heating demand is highest.

Here you’ll find a full breakdown of all the additional financial help available depending on which energy company you’re with, as well as details of the companies planning to provide this support in time for winter.

Help from individual energy companies

British gas

British Gas has two support funds, managed by the British Gas Energy Trust.

The British Gas Energy Support Fund is only open to British Gas customers and has not yet reopened for this winter.

The British Gas Consumer and Household Fund is open to customers of any energy company, including British Gas. However, it is not open to customers of Eon, Eon Next, Ovo, EDF, Scottish Power, Boost or Octopus, as these companies have their own support schemes.

The Individuals and Families Fund is currently open, but only for households with credit and prepaid meters.

To be successful, you must:

• Be in England, Scotland or Wales
• Not having received a British Gas subsidy in the last 12 months
• Do you want the money to pay off an outstanding energy debt of between £250 and £1,500 for yourself or your household?
• Being in a situation of energy poverty, defined as spending at least 10 percent of your income on energy bills.
• I have already received help from a financial advisory agency.

To access these grants you will also have to prove your income and expenses to meet the criteria for energy poverty.

If you are a British Gas customer, you may be eligible for grants through the British Gas Energy Support Fund.

To access this money, you must:

• Not having had a British Gas subsidy in the last two years (in 2023 the limit was 12 months)
• Do you want the money to pay off your home’s outstanding energy debt?
• You have a household income of less than £18,723, you have someone living there who receives disability benefits, carer’s allowance or you have three or more children
• I have already received help from a financial advice agency in the last six months.
• Tackling energy poverty
• You have a combined total energy debt of £50 – £1,700 if you are a prepayment meter customer or between £250 – £1,700 if you are a credit account customer
• You will also need to show proof of income and expenses.

You can apply for both grants at the British Gas Energy Trust website.

EDF Energy

EDF customers can access the company’s Customer Support Fund, which allows the cancellation of energy debt of vulnerable customers and the supply of energy-efficient appliances, as well as freezing daily fixed bills.

To access this fund, you must first obtain independent debt advice and then apply. here.

EDF will ask you for details about your household finances and why you or your household are considered vulnerable.

E.In Next

Last year, E.On Next launched a winter affordability support scheme, which reduced energy bills by up to 50 per cent for customers with lower incomes or medical needs.

However, this program closed to new applicants in March 2024 and has not yet reopened for winter 2024/25.

The E.On Next Energy Fund pays out grants for bill payments, as well as other assistance such as replacing old and inefficient appliances and forgiving debts for customers who are unable to pay their bills.

Octopus energy

Octopus customers can apply for grants of up to £500 and have their fixed charges waived by contacting the Octo Relief Fund.

The fund will also pay between £50 and £200 to pensioners who miss their Winter Fuel Payment this winter.

Previously, the Winter Fuel Payment was paid to all pensioners. But from this year, it will only be paid to pensioners who also receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, meaning around 10 million pensioners will lose it.

You will need to create an online budget and share your financial details, including income and expenses, in order to apply for Octo Assist.

The energy company may also offer to send experts to your home to determine ways in which you could reduce your energy consumption and therefore your bills, as well as provide free electric blankets to those who need them.

Ovo Energy

Ovo has a £50m fund, the Extra Support Package, which will come into effect on 1 October 2024.

The fund can offer reductions on energy bills for all eligible customers, as well as credit top-ups for those with prepaid meters.

It can also grant grace periods on payment to those with prepayment meters, as well as free energy upgrades such as a new boiler or insulation.

To be eligible, customers will need to prove they genuinely need the help, such as having a lower income, receiving means-tested benefits, or having a disability or energy debt.

Ovo and Boost customers can Check your eligibility here.

Ovo also administered emergency funds in 2022 and 2023 that also offered grants to struggling customers.

Scottish Power

Scottish Power has a hardship fund which can pay varying levels of grants to help with energy bills.

To be eligible, you must apply for a benefit such as Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit or Employment and Support Allowance.

Otherwise, you may qualify if you have a low household income or special circumstances, such as loss of income due to illness.

From there, you should speak to a debt charity such as Step Change, who can then refer you to Sigma Connected Support, which handles hardship fund payments for Scottish Power.

You can see more details about the hardship fund here.