Winter 2025 has seen some suppliers offer vulerable people help to keep warm
People can apply for a free electric blanket to keep them warm this winter if they meet the eligibility criteria(Image: Getty)
Two leading energy suppliers, Octopus Energy and OVO Energy, are handing out free electric blankets to help vulnerable customers struggling with heating costs this winter. The initiatives are aimed at those who find it difficult to afford heating, especially those with medical conditions or mobility issues.
These schemes could help households cut their energy bills significantly, potentially saving up to £300 a year. Electric blankets provide a cheaper alternative to heating the whole house, costing around 2-4p per hour compared to about £4 a day for full home heating.
Both firms require customers to go through an application process to check if they’re eligible. Priority is given to elderly residents, people with mobility issues, and those whose health conditions make them particularly vulnerable to the cold.
As part of the application process, Octopus Energy asks customers to set up a Paylink budget. This tool assesses household income and spending to work out what support options are suitable, which could include an electric blanket.
The company has set aside 10,000 blankets to give away, limiting it to one per household to help as many people as possible. Applications are reviewed by humans alongside account health data, with decisions usually given within a week.
Who can get a free electric blanket?
While Octopus does not provide exact guidelines for who will receive the blanket, its online guidance highlights that it will be made available to the most vulnerable customers. In order to receive the free blanket, Octopus customers must first apply for the Octo Assist scheme.
Once this has been done, their personal details will be assessed and the firm will decide what support is required, including the 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 provide reasons for why you may be struggling with your energy bills.
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 opened for applications on 1 October, is aimed 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 difficulty.
Since 2022, OVO has provided £190 million in assistance, 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 check 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, said: “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 suggests that customers using electric blankets have seen bill reductions of between 10% and 20% during winter months after acquiring the blanket. Operating costs remain low at 2-4p per hour on maximum settings, making them significantly more economical than traditional heating methods. Optimal usage is recommended for maximum savings.
The blanket should be used as a body covering rather than mattress padding. Initially, the blanket should be warmed on high settings for several minutes before reducing to medium levels for extended use.
The connector should be positioned near the feet whilst ensuring unobstructed access to prevent overheating. Folding the blanket should be avoided as it can compromise its heating functionality.
Despite potentially uneven heat distribution when touched directly, the blankets create a surrounding warmth halo.
It’s crucial that parents supervise children using these devices. Both suppliers stress the importance of adhering to manufacturer guidelines to ensure safe and efficient operation.
Other support available from Octopus
It comes after Octopus confirmed that it will increase its Octo Assist support fund for customers struggling to pay their bills. The scheme, which offers grants, standing charge holidays, and debt write-offs, now stands at £40 million and has reportedly helped over 100,000 customers so far.
The firm also offers a ‘you pay, we pay’ scheme for every additional payment a customer in debt makes. Under the scheme, Octopus pays the same amount towards a debt to help reduce a customer’s debt over a period of time.
The Octo Assist scheme has also been expanded to offer targeted support to pensioners with a one-off credit of up to £200. The firm said it has also trained its support team to help people apply 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 usageEnergy Helpers: Providing tailored in-person energy-saving advice through the ‘Energy Helpers’ scheme, with over 300,000 homes visited so farSocial Workers: In-house social worker team to provide one-to-one supportSaving Sessions: Sessions to help customers save money by using less energy during peak periods, which currently has over two million participantsFree 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
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