Some energy companies have trust funds which aim to help customers who are in debt, or which may fund projects which provide support for the fuel poor.
E.ON
The E.ON Energy Fund aims to assist vulnerable E.ON customers who are living in low income households (household income of less than £16,190 pa). The E.ON Caring Energy Fund can offer the following assistance to successful applicants:
- Clear gas or electricity debt
- Payments in full or part to cover the cost of essential white goods
- Repair or replace gas boilers
Call 0330 380 1090. Lines open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and calls are charged at standard local rates, or go to the Eon Energy Fund website.
British Gas
The British Gas Energy Trust Fund is open to anyone living within England, Scotland and Wales, in need, hardship or other distress and is not restricted to customers of British Gas. The British Gas Energy Trust offers these types of grant:
- Grants to clear arrears on domestic gas/electricity bills (British Gas and others)
- To clear arrears of other essential domestic bills
- To purchase energy efficient white goods
- Repair or replace boilers
- Clear funeral arrears
- Pay insolvency fees
Download a form/complete online or phone to request a form
Website: www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
Application Request Number: 01733 421060
EDF Energy
All customers of EDF Energy with current debt are able to apply to the EDF Energy Trust Fund. The EDF Energy Trust offers two types of grant:
1) To clear gas or electricity debt (EDF and others)
2) To help with other essential household debts and appliance purchases
Download a form/complete a form online or phone to request a form
Website: www.edfenergytrust.org.uk
Application Request Number: 01733 421060
npower
npower’s Energy Trust may provide one-off payments (Further Assistance Payments) for energy arrears on a three-month provisional award basis.
Download a form/complete a form online or phone to request a form:
Website: http://www.npowerenergyfund.com/
Application Request Number: 01733 421060
SSE/Scottish Hydro – Priority Assistance Fund
The SSE Priority Assistance fund may be able to help people on low incomes, fuel poor or vulnerable. The fund may be able to help with debt relief, benefit entitlement checks and energy advice.
Apply via website or phone 0800 096 192 to request a form.
Website:www.sse.co.uk/help/accessibility/priority-assistance-fund
ScottishPower – Hardship Fund
The ScottishPower Hardship Fund helps people on low incomes to manage their fuel debt. Successful applicants will have gas/electric arrears cleared or reduced by a credit to their ScottishPower account.
Referrals are made via a recognised debtline such as National Debtline.
Further information: www.nationaldebtline.org Tel: 0808 808 4000. Lines open Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm, Saturday 9.30am to 1pm.
If customers are deemed eligible, applications will be made via Social Enterprise Direct (SED). Evidence of hardship will be required such as letters from the Department of Work and Pensions. If SED approve an award payment will be made once the client has made three monthly payments (or equivalent) for their energy.
SED can be contacted by referral agencies on 0808 800 0128
Website: www.sedhardship.fund