We understand that some customers may be finding it harder to manage their energy bills as a result of COVID-19. If you’re struggling or think your bill isn’t right, please contact your energy supplier directly. We partner with the below suppliers to help vulnerable customers. Complete an application online with us today on www.charisgrants.com/individuals/#schemes-open

Alternatively, you can contact our partners directly using the info below:

• E.ON Energy – visit www.eonenergy.com/help/extra-help or call 0333 202 4461
• EDF Energy – visit edfenergy.com/for-home/help-support/help-centre or call 0333 009 6992
• E.ON Next – visit www.eonnext.com/help or call 0808 501 5200 or email hi@eonnext.com
• Scottish Power – visit scottishpower.co.uk/getintouch or call 0800 027 0072
• British Gas – visit britishgas.co.uk/help-and-support/ or call 0333 202 9802
• SSE – Visit sse.co.uk/help/online-services or call 0345 070 7373
• OVO – visit https://help.ovoenergy.com/or call 0330 303 5063

If your supplier isn’t listed above then, currently we don’t work with them. However, you can keep checking our funds on www.charisgrants.com/individuals/#schemes-open to see if funding becomes available. You can also visit their website directly for advice.

For the latest government financial support advice please visit – www.gov.uk/coronavirus/worker-support?priority-taxon=774cee22-d896-44c1-a611-e3109cce8eae

Alternatively, anyone can get free advice from the below organisations:

Citizens Advice – www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/
StepChange Debt Charity – Freephone 0800 138 1111 or www.stepchange.org/contact-us.aspx
Turn2Us National Charity – www.turn2us.org.uk/Support-Us
National Debt Line – Freephone 0808 808 4000 or nationaldebtline.co.uk
Advice UK – Freephone 0300 777 0107 or adviceuk.org.uk
Payplan – Freephone 0800 280 2816 or payplan.co.uk

Charis administer funds on behalf of some energy companies to help people who need support with energy bills, freestanding appliances, boiler repairs or boiler replacements. The funds we currently administer are:

• EDF Customer Support Fund – If you have outstanding debt and are a current customer of EDF you can apply for debt relief. You can also apply separately or with the debt relief for replacement energy efficient freestanding appliances.
• E.ON Next Energy Fund – If you have outstanding debt and are a current customer of E.ON Next you can apply for debt relief. You can also apply separately or with the debt relief for replacement energy efficient freestanding appliances.
• E.ON Energy Fund – If you have outstanding debt either on a previous or current E.ON account you can apply for debt relief and a replacement freestanding appliance.
• E.ON Affordable Warmth scheme – If you’re a E.ON energy customer and would like to apply for help with the boiler contribution, then you can apply for this on the E.ON Energy Fund.
• Charis Let’s Talk Energy Fund – SSE part of the OVO Energy Group have confirmed their support to households who may be struggling through our Let’s Talk Energy Fund.

Complete an application online with us today on our individuals page.

You’ll need to have the following:

• Gas and/or electricity account numbers
• Up to date meter readings preferably taken on the day you submit your application (no older than 4 weeks)
• Pictures of any supporting evidence such as benefit letters or medical information etc
• Financial information which includes income, expenditure, and any debts for the household
• If you need a freestanding appliance, you’ll need to know the measurement

Don’t worry, if you need to go and find this information as you can still start the application. Remember to click save and continue – you can return to it at any time. Don’t submit your application until you have checked it and attached any evidence that has been requested. Once it has been submitted, we can’t make any changes.

For more helpful tips please visit our Application Advice leaflet.

It can take up to 45 minutes to complete an online application if you have all the information to hand. Start your application today on our individuals page.

We’ll review your application within 6 days, but we may have to wait for a balance on your account. Please make sure you have provided your supplier with up to date meter readings as this will make the process quicker.

If you’re using a mobile phone or tablet to upload documents, it’s useful to turn the device sideways (landscape) in order to fully view the screen for the file classification option to appear. Make sure you upload each document individually. Don’t create a ‘zip file’ as this will not upload. Alternatively, you can email or freepost your evidence using the information below:

EDF Customer Support Fund – edfsupportfund@lets-talk.online

Address: Freepost EDF CUSTOMER SUPPORT FUND

E.ON Energy Fund – eonenergyfund@lets-talk.online

Address: Freepost EON ENERGY FUND

E.ON Next Energy Fund – eonnextenergyfund@lets-talk.online

Address: Freepost EON NEXT ENERGY FUND

Let’s Talk Energy Fund – energyfund@lets-talk.online

For more helpful tips please view our Application Advice brochure.

If you’re unable to upload copies of the documents using the portal then, another option is to reply to the email we sent and attach the documents. Remember to attach your documents before sending. Something else you can do is post photocopies (not originals) to the freepost address given. You don’t need to use a stamp as the postage has been paid.

For more helpful tips please visit our Application Advice brochure.

The information you have sent may not be acceptable, please double check the below and send it to us again:

• Check it has your full name and current address
• Check it’s no older than 12 months
• Check it shows your health diagnosis
• Check any payments show the amount and calculations
• Check your email or letter there may be a specific reason as to why we cannot accept the information
• Check the to see if all pages of the documents are shown

We recommend all applicants complete a Budget Sheet. However, for some of our funds it’s mandatory. You can do this with a Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved Adviser, to find one near you go to www.fca.org.uk. All FCA approved citizens advice advisers provide a service which is free.

Let them know that you’ve applied, they may be able to add a hold to your account while your application is being processed. If you’ve been awarded you may need to contact your energy supplier, to set up a payment plan. Check your provisional award letter or email for details.

A provisional payment plan will temporarily replace any existing payment plan you may have. It’ll help prove that you can pay for your ongoing energy usage before being awarded. The energy suppliers want to help you to manage your ongoing usage to prevent you from getting into debt again.  All the provisional payments are dealt with by your energy supplier.

The payment plan is set up between you and your supplier, they will explain when your first and last payment is due. Remember to keep a note of this, and when payments have been successfully made, we’ll let you know when your account will be credited with the award amount.

When you’ve made the final payment within the provisional period it’s important to continue with your payment plan to in order to pay for your ongoing energy usage to prevent getting into debt in the future.

If your supplier goes out of business, Ofgem’s safety net will ensure you’ll always have an energy supply, click here for more information.’

Charis partner with some energy suppliers to help provide freestanding appliances to customers in desperate need through energy funding schemes. Complete an application online with us today on our individuals page.

If your energy supplier isn’t listed on the individual’s page you can register your interest through our Let’s Talk Energy Fund. When funding becomes available, we’ll let you know.

If you’ve been awarded an appliance, you’ll be contacted to arrange delivery within 10 working days. This will be a telephone call and should not take longer than a few minutes. It’ll involve a few questions to ensure that delivery and connection can happen safely and legally. If you’ve already arranged a delivery date and wish to change this, please contact the supplier.

The fund only provides standard freestanding household appliances. We cannot change the size, make, model or type of appliance provided. The funds are put together to help customers who are in desperate need of an appliance therefore, we cannot accept customer requests, changes, or additional payments towards other appliances.

The funds are unable to award appliances without the agreement of delivery and connection. Appliances must be connected at the point of delivery by a member of the supplier’s delivery team. If the appliance cannot be connected, it will not be left at your property. The delivery would need to be rearranged, providing connection can happen at a later date.

It would depend on the reason and circumstance. We’d need to check that the new arrangements meet the funding obligations. Please email us on deliveryqueries@charisgrants.com or call 01733 421069 to talk about this further and we’ll see what we can do.

To rearrange delivery of your appliance please contact the supplier. If your delivery failed because connection couldn’t take place, please make sure any recommendations by the delivery team are made so that connection can happen. The funds can only authorise three delivery attempts. If the appliance has not been successfully delivered and connected after a third attempt, we’ll need to withdraw the award. This would not affect any other awards on the application.

You’ll need to contact the supplier to report the fault, they should be able to arrange a repair if the appliance is still under warranty. They may need some information such as a serial number, but they will tell you where to find this. If they need proof of purchase, please request this by emailing deliveryqueries@charisgrants.com

Let us know as soon as possible by emailing deliveryqueries@charisgrants.com or calling 01733 421069. We’ll withdraw the appliance on your behalf but, please make sure this what you want because once it has been withdrawn, we cannot reinstate it. If you have other awards on your application, they will not be affected by this decision.

Charis administer grants on behalf of some housing associations to offer a range of services to help people be the best they can be. We currently partner with:

• Clarion Futures– Clarion Futures is the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group. It’s designed to support residents and the wider community in a range of employment and training opportunities. Visit myclarionhousing.com/help-and-guidance/Jobs-skills-and-training/grants-for-work-and-business to find out more or apply today.
• Sovereign – The grant invests in people who live in Sovereign homes and communities. It provides the tools to transform lives for the better and build a positive future. Find out what’s available for you and your community when you log into your account at https://my.sovereign.org.uk/communities

We administer grants on the Housing Associations behalf so we may contact you if more information is needed. Please make sure you reply to us and if you need any extra help, ask your support officer.

All applications for Clarion Futures can be made online Speak to your Employment Support Officer (ESO) or email guideline@myclarionhousing.com and they will help you submit an application.

All applications for Sovereign must be done through your ‘My Sovereign account’ on https://my.sovereign.org.uk/communities

Before applying, you must speak to your support officer as they can help you.

For some grants you need to be a Clarion resident. Speak to an Employment Support Officer (ESO) or email guideline@myclarionhousing.com and they will help you with your training, employment or business journey.

Please allow 10 working days for us to make a payment. You can then contact Charis or your support officer for an update.

If you’ve signed up for a course, then the training provider can invoice Charis Grants for the costs. If you’re unable to do this and the course is online only then we’ll book and pay for it. Please check your award letter for contact information.

The Clarion Futures jobs and training team are available to provide employment or training advice and support where needed, email the Guideline Team at guideline@myclarionhousing.com detailing the support, you need and the best method for you to be contacted.

Charis partner with the Fuel Bank Foundation to help support vulnerable customers by giving them access to energy when they most need it. We work with selected food banks and advice agencies to provide people with emergency energy fuel.

You can, however this is a referral process and the application must be done through a selected food bank or advice agency. If you’re unsure who is authorised in your area to help, please visit your local Citizens Advice.

There are two types of voucher, so depending which one you have, will depend on where you can go to redeem it.

• Pay point voucher – You’ll need to visit your local convenience store or supermarket. This voucher can be used by any customer except anyone supplied by British Gas or Scottish Gas.
• Post office voucher – You’ll need to visit your local post office. This voucher can be used by any customer except anyone supplied by Utilita.

You’ll need to have the following:

• Gas and/or electricity account numbers
• Up to date meter readings preferably taken on the day you submit your application (no older than 4 weeks)
• Pictures of any supporting evidence such as benefit letters or medical information etc
• Financial information which includes income, expenditure, and any debts for the household
• If you need a freestanding appliance, you’ll need to know the measurement

Don’t worry, if you need to go and find this information as you can still start the application. Remember to click save and continue – you can return to it at any time. Don’t submit your application until you have checked it and attached any evidence that has been requested. Once it has been submitted, we can’t make any changes.

For more helpful tips please visit our Application Advice leaflet.

Applications are reviewed and a decision is made within 24 working hours of receiving the request. Please allow this time before contacting us if you’ve not received your voucher. If you’re applying for a voucher on Friday after 5pm, you may not receive it until Monday.

There might be an issue with the shop or post office so, try using another one just in case. If you have a pay point voucher visit https://consumer.paypoint.com/ to find a store near you.

British Gas and Scottish Gas customers can only use pay zone vouchers so double check who your energy supplier is. If you’ve got an incorrect voucher type and need to change it then you need to speak to the person who submitted the application and they will contact us directly to make a voucher change request for you.

If the application was submitted on Friday after 5pm, you may not receive it until Monday. If it was submitted before then, double check your text messages, email junk or spam folder. Speak to the person who submitted the application and make sure the correct contact details were added as this is where the voucher would’ve been sent too. If for any reason the contact information on the application is incorrect, they will contact us directly to make a voucher change request for you.

Warm Home Discount 2021/22 is a government scheme where participating energy supplier’s credit £140 (including VAT) onto your electricity bill to help towards the cost of your energy bills, click here for more information. Details about the 2022/23 scheme will be announced soon.

Most of the energy suppliers have closed their application process for Warm Home Discount 2021/22. Check your energy supplier’s website for the most up to date information. Information about the 2022/23 scheme will be announced soon.

If you’re a permanent resident living in a Park Home in England, Scotland or Wales and pay your electricity direct to your park site owner you can apply for a £140 payment to help towards the cost of your energy bills. Applications are considered on a first come first serve basis. Check here for more information. ​

Charis partner with some Energy Companies to help qualify as many customers as possible for the rebate of £140. We specialise in checking evidence for customers on behalf of our partners. If we’ve contacted you asking for evidence, then you’ll need to logon to our portal and upload your evidence to be checked.​ Check out our scheme providers section here to see if we partner with your Energy provider.​

If you can’t find the evidence that you need, don’t worry as there’s people you can contact for help. You can contact your GP for medical evidence and ask for a medical summary as this is free of charge. You can contact your employer or payment provider for income evidence, such as wage slips. You can contact Pension Service or the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) for benefit payment evidence. Please click here or useful contact info.

If you’re struggling to stay warm over the winter months, please make sure you contact your Energy supplier to see if any other help is available, alternatively you can visit Citizens Advice or the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). Click here for other help.

If your application for Warm Home Discount 2021/22 was successful, you’ll get your payment by 31st March 2022. Usually, you’ll see a Warm Home Discount credit on your bill or statement. All payments are made by participating energy suppliers. We don’t get involved in payments unless you’ve been awarded as part of Park Homes Warm Home Discount.

The £140 payment will have your WHD reference number as the payment reference on your bank statement.

We can’t change any information once your form has been submitted. We offer BACs payments so make sure you complete this part of the application form with your bank details before pressing submit.

You need to bank your cheque within 4 weeks. If you don’t have a bank account you will need to arrange to cash your cheque locally but it may incur charges.

The name on the cheque will be the name given on your application form, so please make sure it is correct before pressing submit. If you have received a cheque that doesn’t match your bank account name, you will need to contact us using the details on your email/letter.

Thank you for responding to our request to supply documents to support your Warm Home Discount application. The Charis team are now working closely with your energy supplier to process your application. If we need more information, we will contact you, otherwise you’ll receive a decision by the end of March at the latest.

Following changes announced to the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2022/23 in the Governments WHD consultation we now have the outcome for England & Wales. You can visit our news section for a brief overview of the main elements of the new look scheme. Please be aware that Scotland has yet to complete a consultation, once we have further information we will update our website with more details to keep you informed.