The fund in 30 seconds
What is the Scottish Power Hardship Fund?
Scottish Power's Hardship Fund is a discretionary grant scheme for customers who have fallen into energy debt and are unable to clear it. The fund pays an agreed amount directly to your Scottish Power gas or electricity account, reducing or clearing the arrears so you can stay on supply. It is independent of the Warm Home Discount and you can apply for both if eligible.
The fund is operated by Sigma Connected Support on behalf of Scottish Power. Sigma replaced the previous administrator, Social Enterprise Direct (SED), but the eligibility criteria and award framework are unchanged. Every application is assessed independently.
What you get
A credit of £100 to £3,000 to clear or reduce arrears
How you apply
Online via Sigma Connected, by phone or by post
How long it takes
5 working days for a decision, 3 months until paid
Eligibility
Who qualifies for the Scottish Power Hardship Fund?
You can be considered for the fund if every condition below is met. None of them is automatic — Sigma Connected reviews each case on its merits.
You owe Scottish Power for energy
The fund clears arrears on a Scottish Power domestic gas or electricity account only. Debt on closed accounts, business accounts or other suppliers is not eligible.
You are in genuine financial hardship
Typical signs : you receive a means-tested benefit, your household income is low, you have lost work, an illness has reduced your earnings or you have a high-cost-to-heat home with vulnerable occupants.
You have taken free debt advice
Sigma will not assess your application without proof that you have contacted a recognised debt advice agency — Citizens Advice, StepChange or National Debtline are the three most commonly accepted.
You can stick to a payment plan
You must be able to commit to (and meet) a three-month repayment plan for your ongoing energy usage. The grant is paid once you complete the plan successfully.
Benefits and circumstances that strengthen your application
Receiving any of the following — alone or in combination — will substantially help your case :
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based JSA or income-related ESA
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or DLA
- Carer's Allowance or Attendance Allowance
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit (with disability element)
- Low household income (typically under £21,000 gross)
- Recent loss of work, bereavement or serious illness
- Disability or chronic health condition in the household
Free, independent debt advice is required before you apply
Contact one of the three agencies below — they all offer free, confidential phone advice and will issue a reference number that you can quote on your application. Without this, Sigma Connected will not process your application.Application process
How to apply for the Scottish Power Hardship Fund
Get free debt advice
Sigma needs proof of advice from a recognised agency, with a reference number.
- National Debtline0808 808 4000
- Citizens Advice0800 144 8848
- StepChange0800 138 1111
Register with Sigma Connected
Go to support.sigmaconnected.com, fill in the registration form and Sigma emails you a personal link to the full online application. You can also start by phone on 0121 285 2595 if you do not have email access.
Submit evidence
Sigma will only review your application once it has :
- • A recent meter reading (within a few days of applying)
- • Proof of income or benefits (under 3 months old)
- • Reference number / letter from your debt adviser
Stick to the 3-month plan
If you receive a provisional award, you agree a three-month payment plan with Scottish Power. Pay on time for three full months and the agreed grant is credited to your account.
Applying for someone else?
Family members, carers and debt advisers can apply on behalf of an account holder. Call Sigma Connected on 0121 285 2595 with the account holder's written consent and the same supporting documents.
After you apply
What happens after your application is submitted?
Sigma Connected aims to review every application within 5 working days. You will receive the decision in writing — by email or by post depending on how you applied. If the decision is unfavourable you can request that a manager reviews the file ; the manager's decision is final.
| Outcome of your application | Reapplication waiting time |
|---|---|
| Approved and grant credited | 3 years from the date the grant was paid |
| Provisional award but repayment plan failed | 6 months from the date of the final decision letter |
| Refused outright | Only if your circumstances change materially (new benefit, new vulnerability, sudden income loss) |
Awards
How much can the fund pay out?
Awards typically sit anywhere between £100 and £3,000. The exact amount is set by Sigma Connected based on three factors :
- 1The size of the Scottish Power debt you owe at the date of application.
- 2Your individual circumstances — income, household size, vulnerabilities, recent life events.
- 3Sigma's discretion as administrator — the fund is finite and awards are graded against available budget.
The grant may not clear your full debt
If your arrears are larger than the maximum award, the grant reduces them rather than clearing them entirely. The remaining balance is rolled into a manageable repayment plan with Scottish Power.Contact
Scottish Power Hardship Fund contact details
The fund is operated independently of Scottish Power's standard customer service team. Use the Sigma Connected Support details below for any question about the application, evidence or decision. For all other Scottish Power queries, see the Scottish Power contact page.
Phone
0121 285 2595
Sigma Connected Support — Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Online
Application portal, available 24/7. You can also start an application via scottishpower.co.uk.
If you are in immediate financial crisis and risk being disconnected, ask Scottish Power about a Priority Services Register entry and short-term payment break on 0800 027 0072 first, this is a separate process from the Hardship Fund and faster to set up.
FAQ
Scottish Power Hardship Fund: frequently asked questions
Awards typically range from £100 to £3,000 and depend on three factors : the size of the Scottish Power debt you owe, your individual circumstances (income, household, vulnerability) and the discretion of the fund administrator. The grant may not clear your full balance — it can be a partial reduction. Money is always applied to your Scottish Power account, never paid as cash or cheque.
The fund is administered by Sigma Connected Support (formerly Social Enterprise Direct, SED), an independent organisation acting for Scottish Power. Sigma reviews every application, decides eligibility and notifies you in writing. You can call Sigma on 0121 285 2595 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) for help with your application.
Sigma Connected aims to process applications within 5 working days of receiving the completed form and supporting evidence. In peak winter months it can take a little longer. You will be contacted in writing with the decision, and if approved, told the award amount and how the repayment plan will work.
No, the award itself is non-repayable. What you do have to do is stick to a Scottish Power three-month repayment plan on your ongoing usage. Make every payment on time, and the agreed grant is credited to your account at the end of the three months. Miss payments and the provisional award can be withdrawn.
Yes, but the waiting period depends on the outcome. If you received a grant, you must wait three years before reapplying. If you were given a provisional award but did not complete the repayment plan, you can reapply after six months. If you were refused outright, you can reapply only when your circumstances change materially.
Yes. Family members, carers or debt advisers can apply on someone else's behalf. Call Sigma Connected Support on 0121 285 2595 or use the paper application form. You will need the account holder's written consent and supporting documents (proof of income, benefits, recent meter reading).
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