People can apply for a free electric blanket to keep them warm this winter if they meet the eligibil (Image: Getty)
Two of the UK’s leading energy suppliers, Octopus Energy and OVO Energy, are distributing free electric blankets to aid vulnerable customers grappling with heating costs this winter. The initiatives target those who struggle to afford heating, particularly those with medical conditions or mobility issues.
These schemes could significantly reduce household energy bills, potentially saving up to £300 a year. Electric blankets offer a more cost-effective alternative to heating the entire house, costing around 2-4p per hour compared to approximately £4 a day for full home heating.
Both companies require customers to undergo an application process to verify their eligibility. Priority is given to elderly residents, individuals with mobility issues, and those whose health conditions make them especially susceptible to the cold.
As part of the application process, Octopus Energy asks customers to establish a Paylink budget. This tool evaluates household income and expenditure to determine suitable support options, which could include an electric blanket.
The company has allocated 10,000 blankets for distribution, limiting it to one per household to assist as many people as possible. Applications are assessed by humans in conjunction with account health data, with decisions typically provided within a week.
Who can get a free electric blanket?
Octopus Energy has not provided specific guidelines on who will receive the blanket, but its online guidance indicates that it will be made available to the most vulnerable customers. To receive the free blanket, Octopus customers must first apply for the Octo Assist scheme.
After applying, their personal details will be evaluated and the company will determine what support is needed, including the provision of free blankets.
In order to start the application process, customers should first create a Paylink budget here. Throughout the application process, you will need to provide details of your income and how much money you’re spending.
You will also need to explain why you may be having difficulty paying your energy bills.
Meanwhile, OVO Energy has launched a £56 million support programme for households struggling with energy costs, offering items such as heated throws and home efficiency packages. The initiative, which began accepting applications on 1 October, is targeted at customers with specific medical vulnerabilities.
Those who can afford the approximate £60 purchase price are encouraged to buy blankets independently, leaving free units available for those in severe financial hardship.
Since 2022, OVO has provided £190 million in aid, supporting 42,000 customers in the last year alone. Recent surveys commissioned by the supplier reveal that 91% of consumers are worried about winter energy costs, with 71% reporting increased anxiety compared to the previous year.
Customers can verify their eligibility on OVO’s website by providing their account reference, found on monthly statements, along with their postcode. David Buttress, the company’s chief executive, stated: “We’re providing support to those who need it most by working together with our charity partners and committing our largest ever customer support package.”
How to check eligibility for the extra support.
In order to benefit from the new energy support from OVO, some customers will need to prove their eligiblity. The energy firm allows customers to check if they’re eligible through their website here.
In order to get started, all you need to do is enter your OVO account number as well as your postcode. Guidance from the firm also highlights that it will need to known your monthly available spend after you’ve paid off your bills – this can be checked with an online budgeting tool.
Guidance from the OVO website adds: “If you think you’ll struggle to pay your bills and you’re an OVO customer, then you might be eligible. It doesn’t take long to apply for support and you’ll get your answer right away.
“When you apply for support, things like household income, any disposable income, and medical needs will be taken into account – to help prioritise those who need help most.”
Research indicates that customers who utilise electric blankets have experienced bill reductions of between 10% and 20% during the winter months after purchasing the blanket. The running costs are low, at 2-4p per hour on maximum settings, making them significantly more cost-effective than traditional heating methods.
The blanket should be used as a covering for the body rather than padding for the mattress. Initially, the blanket should be heated on high settings for several minutes before being reduced to medium levels for prolonged use.
The connector should be positioned near the feet while ensuring easy access to prevent overheating. Folding the blanket should be avoided as it can impair its heating functionality.
Despite the potential for uneven heat distribution when touched directly, the blankets generate a surrounding warmth halo.
It’s vital that children using these devices are supervised by parents. Both suppliers emphasise the importance of adhering to manufacturer guidelines to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Additional support available from Octopus.
This follows Octopus’s confirmation that it will increase its Octo Assist support fund for customers struggling to pay their bills. The scheme, which provides grants, standing charge holidays, and debt write-offs, now amounts to £40 million and has reportedly assisted over 100,000 customers so far.
The company also provides a ‘you pay, we pay’ scheme for every additional payment a customer in debt makes. Under this scheme, Octopus matches the amount towards a debt to help reduce a customer’s debt over time.
The Octo Assist scheme has been expanded to offer targeted support to pensioners with a one-off credit of up to £200. The firm stated that it has trained its support team to assist people in applying for other benefits they could be eligible for.
Octopus confirmed that it also provides the following extra support for customers:
- Heat loss cameras: Loaning thermal imaging cameras to help customers identify and fix draughts, reducing energy usage
- Energy Helpers: Providing tailored in-person energy-saving advice through the ‘Energy Helpers’ scheme, with over 300,000 homes visited so far
- Social Workers: In-house social worker team to provide one-to-one support
- Saving Sessions: Sessions to help customers save money by using less energy during peak periods, which currently has over two million participants
- Free Electricity Sessions: Customers signed up to the ‘Octoplus’ rewards scheme can get free additional electricity above their normal usage levels whenever the wholesale electricity price drops significantly or goes negative