Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Free energy, free electric blankets, and grants to keep you warm
Vicky Parry
11th Sep 2025
Keeping warm as temperatures drop and energy prices rise is tricky for many of us. There are lots of ways to get free electric blankets, energy grants, and even free energy. We’ve rounded up where to get help with your energy bills.
Free Electric Blankets
Energy supplier Octopus is in its third year of running its £30m Octo Assist Fund. They give away free electric blankets worth £69.99 to customers most in need. Rather than a first-come-first-served offer, they prioritise the most vulnerable and those with a medical need. You’ll need to create a budget through their website and a human (not AI!) will review your application to see if you can get a free electric blanket or other help with your bills.
According to research by Octopus, electric blankets cost between 2-4p an hour to run, compared to running the central heating at around £4 every day. They’re a cost-effective way to stay warm even on the chilliest days. They worked out that customers who have received blankets so far have saved up to 20% on their winter bills – around £300 saved a year.
Find out if you’re eligible and how to apply on the Octo Assist Fund page here.
Ovo Energy has also offered free electric blankets and energy-saving devices in the past; it looks set to reopen the scheme again on 1st October 2025 for its customers. Find out more and apply to their fund here.
Free Energy Grants
Winter Fuel Payment
You may be eligible for a grant of £150 towards your winter energy costs under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Contact your energy supplier to find out how to apply. If you receive Pension Credit and certain other means-tested benefits, you may be eligible.
This is different to the Winter Fuel Payment, which is paid by the Government to some pensioners and can be between £100 – £300 depending on when you were born.
Energy Grants
Energy suppliers have a fund to help those most in need. If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, contact your supplier to find out how they can help. They may be able to contribute a grant towards your bills, or write off energy debts to help you.
- EDF has the EDF Energy Fund
- British Gas has provided over £140m of support with their Energy Fund
- Octopus Energy has financial assistance
- Scottish Power has the Hardship Fund
- E.On (and nPower) offers the E.On Next Energy Fund
Some energy companies have a variety of funds to apply for, depending on your circumstances. For example, Octopus Energy has a standing charge waiver scheme as part of its Octo Assist fund. This can save a big chunk of money on energy bills, especially for low users who often find the standing charge costs more each month than their energy use!
Free Energy
Some energy suppliers are making the most of free energy hours.
EDF has a new Sunday Saver scheme. Customers who reduce their energy usage between 4pm – 7pm Monday to Friday can earn up to 16 hours of free energy on Sundays. Reduce your usage by 5% for four free hours, 20% for eight free hours, and 35% for 12 hours. To get the full 16 free hours, you need to reduce usage by 50%.
Octopus Energy lets customers use extra energy certain hours of the week, too. They email around 24 hours in advance of the time, allowing customers to plan ahead. You only pay for your standard usage in those hours, and anything above that is free. So, you can plan to put your washing on, hoover, charge your battery appliances, and charge your car for free if you plan ahead!
So can someone explain why a flat is not allowed?
How do I apply for an electric blanket
First you have to be an Octopus customer. If you are and want to apply you will be directed to another company website who will assess your eligibility i.e how poor you really are and your medical history. So its not a simple lot of questions, more like applying for a mortgage. How all this personal info and data is kept safe God only knows and all for an electric blanket! My advice? Forget it. Its Octopus trying to show how ‘caring’ and socially responsible they are.
How do I find out about this?
see my reply to Gina
How can apply for Free Electric Blanket?
see my reply to Gina
The problem with the qualification is that is getting more expensive every time!
DO YOU IMAGINE-IN BULGARIA WE ARE EXPECTING 20% MORE EXPENSIVE HOT WATER!!!!
WELL????!!!!
GOD BE WITH YOU,
TEODORA
SOFIA
19.09.2024
I qualify with ovo due to medical conditions, but not heard anything re free boiler service or if call ovo get passed from pillar to post
I was going to ask the same question
i’m guessing this is only for those with Ovo?
How do I apply for a free electric blanket
THE NEED OF HEATING IS REALLY BIG!
AND EVERY TIME WOULD BE BIGGER!
BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF THE POOR PEOPLE WOULD ENCREASE EVERY YEAR!
KIND REGARDS,
TEODORA
24.11.2023
SOFIA
Well said. Last winter 45 people died every day in England and Wales as a result of living in a cold house. The number of deaths will be higher this winter.