EDF and Charis Grants partnership unlocks £2.5 million to help vulnerable customers tackle energy debt
- Initiatives between EDF and Charis have reached more than 15,000 vulnerable customers across the UK
- Over £2.5 million in debt relief awarded to eligible customers through the Customer Support Fund
- New approach combines immediate relief with long-term behaviour change
EDF and Charis Grants have delivered their most impactful 12 months of support since the partnership started over 20 years ago, helping more than 15,000 vulnerable customers across the UK to better manage energy debt through targeted financial support, proactive engagement and practical solutions.
With many households continuing to face ongoing cost pressures, the partnership has focused on reaching customers earlier and providing support that delivers lasting change, not just short-term relief.
The partnership’s Customer Support Fund (CSF) has played a key role, enabling more than 1,500 customers to regain control of their energy bills by setting up sustainable payment plans. More than £2.5 million in debt support has been unlocked giving customers a clear and achievable pathway towards becoming debt free, while building long-term financial resilience.
Last winter, the Winter Warmth Choices scheme provided additional flexible support during one of the most challenging times of year. Delivered in partnership with Charis, the scheme offered tailored assistance to ease pressure on household budgets while helping customers stay warm more efficiently.
Support has included:
- Over £1 million in energy bill credits
- 5,787 supermarket vouchers to help cover essential living costs
- More than 2,000 practical items including heated blankets, self-heating mattress toppers, duvets, heated body warmers, heated airers, soup makers and slow cookers
Marie Cox, Vulnerable Customers Process Owner at EDF, said: “We are pleased to have partnered with Charis to support those who may not otherwise seek support, building on over 20 years of work together. By combining financial assistance with practical solutions, we’re not only helping people manage their energy bills today, but also supporting them to build more sustainable habits for the future.”
Jessica Taplin, Chief Executive at Charis Grants, added: “We’re proud to partner with EDF and see the real difference this support is making to people’s lives. By working together, we’re helping customers not only manage immediate challenges, but build confidence and take control of their energy costs for the future. It’s a partnership that’s delivering meaningful, lasting change where it matters most.”
Looking ahead, EDF and Charis are now encouraging customers to take steps to improve energy efficiency ahead of next winter. By continuing to link financial support with sustainable behaviours, the partnership is helping to shift the approach to energy debt, from reactive support to longer-term prevention.
Energy debt is a growing problem across the UK, with the cost of dealing it with it paid by all consumers. Action is urgently need across industry, Ofgem and Government to provide support to genuinely vulnerable customers and clamp down on those who can pay but choose not to.
For more information about the partnership and how we’re supporting our customers, please visit Priority Services Register - extra help for those in need | EDF
About EDF
EDF is driving the transition towards An Electric Britain – a secure, affordable, low-carbon future for everyone. As Britain’s biggest generator of zero carbon electricity, we are investing more than £100 million weekly in Britain’s electricity infrastructure. We supply millions of customers with electricity and help homes and businesses switch to electricity for heating, transport and industrial processes.
We operate five nuclear power stations and more than 35 onshore wind farms and three offshore wind farms. Since 2009, EDF has invested almost £9 billion in the nuclear fleet to improve reliability and extend station lifetimes. The five generating stations currently supply about 12% of the UK’s electricity demand.
EDF is building the UK's nuclear renaissance with the construction of a new nuclear power station at Hinkley Point C. We are a minority investor (12.5%) in and major supplier to a replica plant at Sizewell C in Suffolk. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C will provide low carbon electricity to meet 14% of UK demand and power around 12 million homes. EDF Group companies Framatome and Arabelle Solutions have a presence in the UK and manufacture critical equipment such as reactor pressure vessels and turbines.
EDF is enabling its 5 million customers, both in business and at home, to choose electric solutions that save cash and carbon, whether it is buying an electric car, generating and storing electricity, selling energy back to the grid or installing solar panels or a heat pump. In 2025, EDF’s Customers business was ranked as one of the Sunday Times’s Best Place to Work.
It is also one of the UK’s leading developers of renewable energy through EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. We have more than 2GW of renewable generation in operation and over 10GW in construction, planning and development across a range of technologies including onshore and offshore wind, solar and battery storage.
We are one of the largest suppliers to British business and a leading supplier of innovative energy solutions that are helping businesses become more energy independent. In addition, the company’s energy services business, Dalkia, is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest technical service providers.
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