Support from your energy company

This winter, the six major energy suppliers are offering support for vulnerable and low-income households struggling to pay their energy bills or have energy debts.

British Gas

British Gas is offering grants of up to £1,500 to help customers struggling to pay energy bills.

If you are a Southwark resident and a customer of British Gas you can access this money through the British Gas Energy Support Fund.

The fund can give grants to households struggling to pay energy bills, but you must meet all the criteria listed below.

• you need the money to clear outstanding energy debt with British Gas of between £250 and £1,500
• you spend at least 10 per cent of your household income on energy bills
• you have looked for help from a money or debt advice agency such as Stepchange or Citizens Advice

When you apply, you might be asked to provide proof of income or spending.  You will not be eligible for a grant if you already received a grant from British Gas in the last 12 months

Apply for British Gas Energy Trust online

E.On Next

If you are a Southwark resident and a customer of E.On Next, you could have your energy bill reduced by up to 50% this winter (up to March 2024) through E.On Next’s Winter Affordability Scheme.

Additionally, the E.On Next Energy Fund pays grants towards bills, as well as other help such as the replacement of old inefficient white goods and the writing off of debt for customers that cannot afford to pay their bills.

To be eligible you must:

• have been a customer of E.On Next on 25 September 2023
• have a smart meter or agree to get one fitted
• pay energy bills via monthly direct debit or be on a prepayment meter

You must also meet at least one of the following three criteria:

• have a yearly household income of less than £19,000 (and eligible for the Warm Home Discount)
• have a yearly household income of less than £19,000 and spend more on bills than you can afford
• have a yearly household income of less than £31,000 and medical needs such as a ventilator or dialysis machine

Apply for the Next Energy Fund online

When you apply you may be asked to provide evidence of income or other information

EDF Energy

If you are a Southwark resident and a customer of EDF, you can access EDF’s Customer Support Fund.

You can get help from the Fund to write off energy debt if you are vulnerable.

The fund can also provide help to get energy-efficient white goods and could freeze your daily standing charges.

To get access to this fund you must first get independent debt advice from organisations such as Step Change or Citizens Advice. 

Apply for Customer Support Fund online

When you apply, you may be asked for more information about your household finances and why you consider yourself or your household to be vulnerable.

Octopus Energy

If you are a Southwark resident and a customer of Octopus Energy you can apply to the Octo Assist Fund.

The Octo Assist Fund offers grants of up to £500 and will also consider waiving applicants’ standing charges.

When you apply, you may be asked to share your financial details, including income and spending.

Apply for the Octo Assist fund online

Scottish Power

If you are a Southwark resident and are a customer of Scottish Power you can apply to Scottish Power’s Hardship Fund for a grant to help with energy bills.

To be eligible for the fund, you must be claiming one of the following benefits:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Jobseekers Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Employment and Support Allowance

You could also qualify if you have a low household income or have other special circumstances such as losing income due to illness.

Before you can apply, you must speak to a debt charity such as Step Change, who can then refer you to Sigma Connected Support who will consider applications on behalf of Scottish Power

Visit Scottish Power Hardship fund webpage

Ovo Energy

If you are a Southwark resident and a customer of OVO you can seek support from OVO’s Customer Support Package. 

That package includes energy bill reductions for all eligible customers and credit top-ups for customers who use prepayment meters.

It also includes free energy-saving products to help households stay warm and reduce their energy consumption, such as electric blankets and mattress toppers, draught excluders, LED bulbs, and SMART sockets.

The Ovo fund opens on 30 October 2023.

Visit OVO's Customer Support Package webpage

Page last updated: 25 October 2023