With winter on the way and energy bills set to rise, Octopus Energy is stepping up to offer relief with their expanded electric blanket giveaway.
This year, the company is distributing an additional 20,000 free electric blankets to help their most vulnerable customers stay warm without cranking up the thermostat.
With energy bills soaring and Winter Fuel Payments being reduced, this initiative is a lifeline for many. Here’s how you can apply for one of these blankets and what you need to know about this crucial support program as well as other energy saving tips.
Why is Octopus Energy giving away free electric blankets?
Octopus Energy is relaunching its electric blankets scheme this winter to help its most vulnerable customers save on heating costs and combat energy price rises.
The company aims to address concerns about rising energy bills by providing free electric blankets, which are an efficient way to heat individuals rather than an entire home.
With Winter Fuel Payments being cut for many pensioners and the energy price cap rising from October many households will need help staying warm this winter.
Mario Lupori, Director at Octopus Energy Group, commented: "We know many people are worried about the costs of heating their homes over winter. An electric blanket means you heat the human, not the home – staying warm for as little as 3p an hour. We’ve got 20,000 more blankets this year to give out to our most vulnerable customers and we’re delighted that they will help them stay warm.”
The electric blankets are supplied by Dreamland.
Electric blankets deals
Choose from three heat settings to help you keep warm as the cooler nights set in. It comes with a two metre power cord and a two year guarantee.
This heated throw has an impressive nine temperature settings so you can be comfortable whether you're watching TV downstairs or reading in bed. It comes in two different colour options and a detachable controller for washing.
How many free electric blankets are available?
This year, Octopus Energy is offering an additional 20,000 free electric blankets, bringing the total distributed since January 2022 to over 60,000.
Octopus Energy saying the scheme is designed to target the people most in need of help with staying warm this winter, such as those with mobility or other medical conditions. This is why the scheme has been restricted to one blanket per home.
How to apply for a free electric blanket
The scheme is open to all Octopus Energy customers through the £30m Octo Assist Fund.
Priority is given to those who are medically vulnerable, elderly, or living alone. Customers concerned about their winter bills should contact Octopus Energy to answer a few questions and determine the best support for their needs.
Upon filling this in you will need to demonstrate how much you earn to give Octopus an indication of your financial situation.
What if I don’t qualify?
If having completed the application form you are deemed not to be eligible then you can still find some affordable electric blankets online.
You can buy this Russell Hobbs double electric blanket for just £34.99 from Amazon, which comes highly recommended by Amazon reviewers. Octopus Energy is asking those who can afford to buy their own electric blankets to do so, rather than taking advantage of the free electric blanket scheme.
On a separate note, if you need a little extra help with keeping your home warm, there are various home improvements government grants you could apply for as well, such as:
- Insulation grants - several schemes offer financing towards installing insulation cavity wall insulation and loft insulation such as the ECO4 scheme
- Heat pump grants - schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme can provide homeowners with funding towards heat pump installations
