Two major energy providers in the United Kingdom, Octopus Energy and OVO Energy, have launched nationwide initiatives offering free electric blankets to vulnerable customers this winter. The schemes aim to help households save up to £300 annually on heating bills as temperatures begin to drop.
Reducing Winter Heating Costs
The companies structured the programs to address ongoing concerns about the cost of living and household energy expenses. Heating a home can cost around £4 each day, while an energy-efficient electric blanket operates for just 2 to 4 pence per hour. Both firms view the initiative as a practical step toward keeping residents warm without relying heavily on whole-house heating systems.
Heated electric blanket by Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy’s Blanket Distribution
Octopus Energy will distribute 10,000 electric blankets this winter through its £30 million Octo Assist Fund. The program focuses on customers who are elderly, medically vulnerable, or living alone and struggling with rising energy costs.
Applicants must complete an online Paylink budget assessment form, which evaluates income, expenses, and overall financial hardship. Each household may receive one electric blanket, and decisions occur within approximately a week after submission.
A spokesperson from Octopus Energy confirmed that the company’s priority remains supporting households experiencing genuine hardship. Those who can afford to buy their own £60 electric blankets are encouraged to do so, preserving the free units for individuals in greater need.
Octopus Energy will distribute 10,000 electric blankets
OVO Energy’s £56 Million Winter Support
In parallel, OVO Energy has launched a £56 million Extra Support Package. This program includes distributing 25,000 free electric blankets, heated throws, and additional energy-saving products such as mattress toppers and smart plugs.
The package also features broader measures, such as funding for household energy improvements like heat pumps and efficient boilers. OVO’s initiative, active since early October, supports households demonstrating difficulty paying energy bills. The company reports assisting over 42,000 individuals last year through financial relief and energy-saving programs.
David Buttress, OVO Energy’s Chief Executive, stated, “We’re providing support to those who need it most by collaborating with our charity partners and committing to our largest-ever customer support package”.
OVO Energy has launched a £56 million Extra Support Package
Eligibility and Application
Applicants for both programs must be existing customers. Octopus Energy requires applicants to complete a detailed Paylink budget form as part of its Octo Assist Fund program. This form requests:
- Personal details (including full name, address, and energy account number)
- Household income from all sources (employment, pensions, benefits)
- Monthly expenses such as rent, council tax, and utility payments
- A written explanation of financial hardship, outlining reasons for difficulty paying bills
To apply through OVO Energy’s Extra Support Package, applicants must:
- Be an existing OVO Energy customer
- Provide their OVO account number (found on energy bills or monthly statements)
- Enter their postcode to verify address details
- Share their monthly disposable income, which reflects the remaining amount after tax, rent or mortgage, and essential utility costs
- Optionally include proof of financial hardship such as benefit payment records or medical vulnerability confirmation (if requested)
Both energy firms emphasise fairness in distribution and strict applicant verification processes to ensure that help goes to those in greatest need. The combined distribution from OVO and Octopus Energy totals around 35,000 free electric blankets nationwide this winter.
Impact of the Initiative
Electric blankets have proven effective in reducing heating costs during colder months. Research indicates that using an electric blanket can reduce gas and electricity expenses by up to 20 percent. This saving makes a significant difference for low-income groups or pensioners relying on fixed incomes.
Since 2022, Octopus Energy has delivered over 93,000 free electric blankets to households across Britain, with measurable reductions in energy bills and fuel poverty among recipients. The program demonstrates how targeted energy solutions can yield tangible economic and wellbeing benefits.
Focus on Vulnerable Households
The initiatives prioritise individuals most at risk from cold weather. Seniors, people with medical conditions, and those with mobility challenges remain the key groups eligible for assistance. Both companies recognise the heightened vulnerability of these groups during winter, particularly as energy prices continue to rise.
Surveys commissioned by OVO Energy reveal that 91 percent of consumers express concern about managing heating costs this winter, with 71 percent feeling more anxious about finances than last year. The findings underscore the importance of energy affordability initiatives as economic pressures persist.
Free blankets for vulnerable households
Safety and Usage Advice
Energy experts recommend simple safety practices for blanket usage. Users should preheat the blanket briefly before switching to a medium setting for extended use. The plug connector should stay near the feet and remain uncovered. Manufacturers advise against folding electric blankets to prevent internal wiring damage.
Both companies advise following manufacturer guidelines closely, particularly when blankets are used around children or vulnerable adults. These measures ensure safety and longevity while maintaining optimal energy efficiency.
Wider Financial Assistance
Households that do not qualify for the free blanket schemes still have access to additional support through government programs. These include the Winter Fuel Payment, Warm Home Discount, Cold Weather Payment, and the Household Support Fund. Each provides financial assistance to help residents manage rising energy costs during the colder months.
Further opportunities exist under schemes such as ECO4 and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offer insulation or renewable installation funding. Combined with the blanket initiatives, these programs collectively aim to enhance energy efficiency and reduce fuel poverty nationwide.
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Sustained Commitment to Affordability
Both Octopus and OVO Energy express ongoing dedication to maintaining affordable warmth for their customers. Through targeted interventions, the companies aim to balance short-term relief with long-term sustainability solutions across the energy sector.
Octopus Energy’s spokesperson noted that customer trust remains vital in shaping future energy assistance programs. The company continues exploring innovative, low-cost energy solutions to support those facing financial strain.
OVO’s ongoing contributions, totalling £190 million in customer assistance since 2022, signal a consistent focus on inclusive, customer-centred energy reform.
How to Access the Offer
Interested customers can apply directly via each energy provider’s official website. Octopus Energy applications occur through the Paylink budget assessment form on the Octopus portal. OVO Energy customers must access the Extra Support section of the company’s site and verify eligibility using their account details and postcode.
The application process is streamlined to make it straightforward and accessible. Both companies confirm that decisions usually occur within one week, helping applicants prepare early for winter conditions.
Energy Efficiency Through Partnership
The partnership between energy providers and community organisations strengthens outreach to individuals in need. By integrating digital application systems and real-time data analysis, both companies can allocate resources efficiently and transparently.
Octopus Energy continues expanding collaboration with local charities to identify financially vulnerable households, ensuring equitable access across regions. OVO Energy works closely with municipal councils to distribute assistance packages quickly and effectively.
Conclusion
The free electric blanket initiatives by Octopus Energy and OVO Energy reaffirm a growing commitment to practical energy relief in the UK. These initiatives demonstrate how direct corporate engagement can mitigate winter hardship, support public wellbeing, and promote energy efficiency nationwide.
