British Gas grant of up to 1,700 pounds opens on 1 October

The grant

Source: British Gas / Centrica, 16 September 2026.

The British Gas Energy Trust's Energy Support Grant opens on 1 October 2026 with a simpler application process, offering grants up to 1,700 pounds to eligible households struggling with energy debt, including eligible non-British Gas customers. The Trust is an independent charity solely funded by British Gas, and support is available regardless of who supplies the energy. That distinction matters for anyone who assumes help is tied to a particular supplier. The funding comes from British Gas, but the charity operates independently and its grants are not restricted to British Gas customers.

In 2025-26 the Trust supported more than 101,100 people, managing 34.2 million pounds of debt and providing 15.5 million pounds in fuel vouchers, grants, financial advice and essential white goods through delivery partners. Those figures give a sense of the scale of the operation behind the grant. The Trust does not simply hand over money. It works through delivery partners to provide fuel vouchers, grants, financial advice and essential white goods, alongside debt management support. For households carrying arrears, the combination of a grant and advice can change the position materially. The simpler application process introduced for the 2026 round is intended to reduce the effort required to apply, which matters for anyone already managing a difficult financial situation.

The campaign and the research

Pass It On is fronted by comedian and former social worker Judi Love, encouraging people to share information about support. British Gas released the campaign on 16 September 2026. Judi Love said: 'Pass It On is about looking out for each other. If you've found something that could genuinely help someone you care about, pass it on.' The campaign rests on research of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by British Gas. It found that 70 percent find it easier to help others with their problems than talk about their own, 68 percent say asking for financial help can feel embarrassing, 60 percent would find it difficult to tell friends or family they were struggling financially, and 58 percent worry they would be judged. Meanwhile 74 percent believe there should be no shame in asking for support.

The research also examined how people respond when support is suggested to them. It found 23 percent worry about offending someone by suggesting financial support, but just 2 percent say they would feel offended if a friend or family member passed on information. Some 63 percent would feel grateful, pleased, relieved or comfortable, and 71 percent would be more likely to use a support service recommended by someone they trust. A further 77 percent say information about financial support should be simple enough to pass on, and 72 percent believe organisations should do more to make people aware help exists. Gary Booker, Managing Director at British Gas, said: 'At British Gas, we're going further to help those who are struggling with energy costs through our 140 million pound support package.' Maff Potts, British Gas Energy Trust Chief Executive Officer, said: 'We know that asking for help with money or energy bills isn't always easy, and sometimes the first step is simply knowing that support exists.' British Gas also funds free boiler services and home upgrades and supports charities including StepChange and The Multibank.

What else is available this winter

The Warm Home Discount is a 150 pound rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales. It is applied automatically in most cases, so eligible households do not usually need to apply. The Priority Services Register is a free service from energy suppliers and network operators for people of pension age, with a disability or long-term health condition, or in a vulnerable situation. It provides practical support such as advance notice of power cuts and priority during disruptions. Cold Weather Payments of 25 pounds are paid for each seven-day period of very cold weather to people receiving certain benefits. DWP statistics show 10.9 million people received the Winter Fuel Payment.

Beyond these schemes, suppliers must offer affordable payment plans under Ofgem rules, and debt cannot be enforced without following that process. That means a household in arrears can ask for a payment plan rather than facing immediate enforcement. The combination of a trust grant, a payment plan and free debt advice can address both the immediate arrears and the underlying budget pressure. Checking eligibility for each scheme separately is worthwhile, because the qualifying conditions differ. The Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payments and Winter Fuel Payment each have their own criteria, and the Priority Services Register is open on a broader basis than the benefit-linked schemes.

How to apply and where else to go

Applications and information are at britishgasenergytrust.org.uk, with applications opening on 1 October. Other supplier trusts exist for customers of other suppliers, so households with a different energy provider are not without options. Free debt advice is available from StepChange, Citizens Advice and National Debtline, and none of them charges. Checking eligibility before applying is sensible, since trust grants usually require an existing arrears balance and a completed income and expenditure statement. Preparing those details in advance can reduce the time spent on the application.

The Pass It On campaign encourages people to share information about support with someone who may need it. The research suggests that sharing is more welcome than people expect: only 2 percent would feel offended, while 63 percent would feel grateful, pleased, relieved or comfortable. For anyone who has found a service that helped, passing on the details is a low-effort step. For anyone currently struggling, the starting point is knowing that support exists and that the application window opens on 1 October. Free advice services can help with the income and expenditure statement that trust grants typically require, and they do not charge for that help.

Source: Centrica media centre, 16 September 2026.

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Frequently asked questions

When does the British Gas Energy Support Grant open?

The grant opens on 1 October 2026 with a simpler application process.

How much can eligible households receive?

Grants of up to 1,700 pounds are available to eligible households struggling with energy debt.

Do you need to be a British Gas customer to apply?

No. The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charity solely funded by British Gas, and support is available regardless of who supplies the energy, including eligible non-British Gas customers.

What other support is available this winter?

The Warm Home Discount is a 150 pound rebate on electricity bills for eligible households in England, Scotland and Wales. Cold Weather Payments of 25 pounds are paid for each seven-day period of very cold weather to people receiving certain benefits. DWP statistics show 10.9 million people received the Winter Fuel Payment. The Priority Services Register is a free service for people of pension age, with a disability or long-term health condition, or in a vulnerable situation.

Where can free debt advice be found?

Free debt advice is available from StepChange, Citizens Advice and National Debtline, and none of them charges.