Funding Round-up – Grants & Support for Individuals (Part 1), Autumn 2023

MVA offer a collection of announcements focusing on themes of funding and support for Individuals aimed at helping charities and similar groups continue their work.

Whilst every effort has been made to provide up-to-date information, due to the varying nature and progress of public policies and other related activity, MVA do advise that some of the details below may have changed since the time of its issue and ask that readers please check with each organisation’s website for the latest news.

Energy Support from British Gas Energy Trust
The British Gas Energy Trust are offering guidance and funding to British Gas Customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills.

The scheme is available to ALL types of customers - this includes customers on a pre-payment meter or a credit customer.

Mainly designed to clear an outstanding debt on a current or open gas, electricity or a household’s dual fuel energy account, The Trust can provide credit to the account of eligible applicants with the grant.

Before applying for a grant, The Trust encourage customers to contact their local Money Advice Agency for assistance as this would help that customer’s chances of a successful application.

The Trust says the scheme will remain open until funding is exhausted.

At the time of writing, some services were being made available to customers from other energy suppliers.

More details and how to apply are available at the Energy Trust’s website.

Scottish Power Hardship Fund and Support Centre
The Hardship Fund from Scottish Power aims to help those customers struggling to pay their bills due to low income or other circumstance.

Amongst other forms of help from the energy supplier, Scottish Power says the Fund can help by clearing or reducing arrears by crediting a customer’s energy account.

Scottish Power advise customers looking to apply should be in receipt of: Income Support, Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Pension Credit, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

At the time of writing, there was no identified deadline, suggesting this is a Continuous Rolling Programme and applications could be accepted at any time.

More details and how to apply can be found at the Scottish Power website.

Funding and other Support via E.ON Next Fund
Administered by Charis Let's Talk, the E.ON Next fund provides support for household energy bills to those who may be struggling.

E.ON say this could be a grant towards bills or help to buy standard freestanding appliances such as a cooker, fridge, freezer or washing machine.

E.ON also have useful summaries of Government schemes available to support consumers.

At the time of writing there was no given deadline, suggesting applications or enquiries could be made at any time.

Details of how to apply for the Next Fund can be found at E.ON’s dedicated website.

Debt and Energy Assistance from OVO Energy Fund (UK)
In support of OVO customers, the funding and advice services are for energy users who have fallen behind with their payments to the energy supplier.

Working in partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth, OVO say they could help applicants review their budget and debts to provide a management plan for their energy.

Their assistance includes offering details about UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments scheme.

At the time of writing, there was no specified deadline, suggesting this is a Continuous Rolling Programme and enquiries could be made at any time.

More information is available at the OVO website.

Local grant giver and community support organisation Kent Community Foundation (KCF) also has services that can offer support to individuals and families in need. To find out more, you can contact KCF on 01303 814 500.

MVA continues its efforts to provide coverage of local and national news and events from the Voluntary and Charity Sector.

If you would like to see coverage of specific news or subject to help your charity, your project, your community group or enterprise, you can get in touch by email at info@mva.org.uk, you can also contact MVA via the website.