British Gas Support

British Gas offers several targeted options to help customers who have fallen behind on payments or are at risk of disconnection.

This is a fully independent charity funded by British Gas, designed to help anyone, not just British Gas customers, who are struggling with energy-related debt. The Trust offers one-off grants, typically ranging from £250 to £2,000, to clear unpaid bills. Applicants are encouraged (and in some cases required) to get free money advice first from a registered service like Citizens Advice, StepChange, or National Debtline.

For eligible British Gas customers for the We Pay Scheme, the supplier will match every payment you make toward your energy debt over a six-month period. So, if you pay £30 per month, British Gas adds £30, doubling your contribution and helping you clear arrears faster. This scheme is only offered to customers who pass an affordability check and have a stable payment history.

If you’re using a prepayment meter and run out of funds, British Gas offers £10 in emergency credit, plus “friendly credit” to keep you on supply during evenings, weekends, and holidays. You can access this through your meter directly or contact British Gas for help activating it.

British Gas recognises that hardship isn’t always about arrears, it can also come from sudden income drops, medical issues, or household pressures.

This scheme is specifically for prepayment customers with debt between £50 and £1,700. To qualify, your household income must be under £18,723 or you must be receiving benefits like Universal Credit, a disability benefit, or Carer’s Allowance. The grant is designed to wipe out debt entirely, making it easier to manage day-to-day energy costs.

In many cases, short-term support needs to be backed up by longer-term solutions, and British Gas has developed several ways to help customers take control of their energy use.

British Gas has partnered with the Post Office and other local organisations to run in-person advice sessions. These provide budgeting help, energy-saving tips, and even free energy-saving gadgets, such as draught excluders or radiator reflectors. These hubs are open to everyone, regardless of who supplies your energy.

Customers are encouraged to install smart meters, which help monitor energy use in real time. This makes it easier to track what you’re spending and avoid unexpected bills. Combined with personalised usage advice and alerts, smart meters can play a big role in reducing long-term costs.

British Gas maintains a Priority Services Register (PSR) for customers who need extra support. This includes people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, pensioners, and those with young children.

Being on the PSR can provide:

• Advanced notice of planned power cuts.
• Priority support during outages.
• A nominated contact who can help manage your account.
• Free annual gas safety checks (for eligible households).
• Accessible formats for bills and communications.

Joining the register won’t affect your tariff, it’s simply there to ensure you get the right support at the right time.

If you’re struggling, it’s important to reach out early. British Gas has made it easier to access help through a few different routes:

• Visit the British Gas website: You can start an application for the Energy Trust or learn more about matched payment schemes.
• Call their customer services: Explain your situation, they’re trained to guide you to the most appropriate support.
• Speak to a money advice service: For many grants, you’ll need to get budgeting or debt advice from an approved charity first. Services like StepChange and Citizens Advice can help for free.
• Use their online tools: If you’d prefer not to call, there are online eligibility checkers and chat options available.

Whether you’re managing on a tight budget, trying to clear long-standing debt, or just struggling to keep up with rising energy costs, there are grants, advice services, and payment schemes that can help.

The sooner you reach out, the more options you’ll have, so don’t wait until things become overwhelming. Whether it’s a one-off grant or help budgeting for the months ahead, the right support could make all the difference.

If your home is hard to heat, poorly insulated, or running on an old, inefficient heating system, there could be long-term help available. Through the ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) and GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme), you might qualify for fully funded upgrades like loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or even a new heating system.

These government-backed schemes are designed to reduce energy waste, so your home stays warmer for less. Over time, that means lower bills, less strain on your budget, and more comfort all year round.

Check your eligibility today and see what support your home could be entitled to, it could save you hundreds over the coming years.

Cost of Living Support Available:

• Household Support Fund (England)
• Cost of Living Payments
• Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
• Mortgage Guarantee Scheme
• Council Tax Reduction

ECO4 Support Available:

• Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy: Energy Company Obligation
• Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery V1.1
• Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
• UK Government: Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
• Which?: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

Other Support Available:

• Household Support Fund
• Cold Weather Payment
• Cost of Living
• Fuel Vouchers