Free energy, free electric blankets, and grants to keep you warm

What’s in this guide?

• Where to get free electric blankets
• The £150 Warm Home Discount
• Winter Fuel Payments for pensioners
• Free energy grants and debt support
• How to get free electricity
• Other help with heating bills

Free Electric Blankets

An electric blanket or heated throw can be a relatively cheap way to keep yourself warm without heating every room in the house. And this winter, some energy suppliers are providing them free to customers who need extra support.

Octopus Energy: Free electric blankets through Octo Assist

Octopus Energy’s Octo Assist fund is now described by the supplier as a £40 million support package, designed to help customers struggling with energy costs.

As well as help with bills and standing charges, the fund can provide free electric blankets to vulnerable customers, particularly those with medical needs or who are at greater risk from the cold.

Support is not guaranteed and applications are assessed according to individual circumstances. You’ll usually need to provide information about your household finances so Octopus can decide which assistance is appropriate.

OVO Energy: Free heated throws and energy-saving equipment

OVO Energy is also offering extra support to eligible customers free energy saving products: This includes rechargeable hot water bottles, thermos flasks, heat pads, LED light bulbs, smart plugs, and replacement white goods. Heated throws – which cost approximately 3p per hour to run – will also be available. 

OVO considers factors such as household income, disposable income and medical needs when deciding what help it can provide.

The package also offers financial support for customers who are finding it difficult to pay their bills, including help with repayment arrangements and emergency credit.

How much does an electric blanket cost to run?

Electric blankets can be much cheaper to run than central heating, although the exact cost depends on the wattage, electricity tariff and how long you use one.

For example, a 100-watt electric blanket running for an hour uses 0.1kWh of electricity. At an illustrative electricity price of 25p per kWh, that works out at around 2.5p per hour.

Remember that electric blankets warm the person rather than the whole property. They aren’t a substitute for keeping your home at a safe temperature, particularly if you’re older, have health problems or are at risk from damp and mould.

The £150 Warm Home Discount for winter 2026/27

The Warm Home Discount is one of the most important schemes to check this winter, particularly if you receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or certain other qualifying means-tested benefits.

For 2026/27, the scheme continues to provide a £150 discount, normally credited to an eligible customer’s electricity account. Some households may be able to have the discount applied to their gas account instead.

In England and Wales, most eligible households receive the discount automatically, provided they meet the scheme’s conditions, including the relevant qualifying date.

In Scotland, eligibility is divided between groups who qualify automatically and a broader group who may need to apply through their energy supplier. Funding for broader group applications can be limited.

Prepayment customers can also qualify. Depending on the supplier and meter arrangements, support may be provided as account credit or a voucher.

The scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland, where different energy assistance programmes apply.

Winter Fuel Payment: Could you receive up to £300?

Winter Fuel Payment is separate from the Warm Home Discount and is designed to help older people with their heating bills.

For winter 2026/27, eligible people in England and Wales born on or before 27 June 1960 could receive between £100 and £300, depending on their circumstances.

Most eligible people will receive their payment automatically in November or December 2026.

However, there is an important income rule. If your individual total income is over £35,000, HMRC will recover the payment through the tax system.

Check Winter Fuel Payment eligibility on GOV.UK.

What about Scotland?

Scotland now operates its own Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead of the Winter Fuel Payment.

For winter 2026/27, eligible pensioners could receive between £105.55 and £316.70 depending on their circumstances. Most payments are automatic, and the £35,000 individual income recovery rule also applies.

Check Scotland’s Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

Free Energy Grants

If you’re struggling to pay your energy bills, your supplier may have a hardship fund that can help. Depending on your circumstances, support could include a grant towards outstanding bills, energy debt relief, emergency credit or a more manageable repayment arrangement.

It’s worth contacting your supplier even if you’ve never needed financial help before. You don’t necessarily have to wait until you’re seriously in debt.

Energy supplier hardship funds to check

• EDF: The EDF Energy Fund provides support to eligible customers experiencing financial difficulties.
• British Gas: Check the British Gas Energy Support Fund for help with energy debt.
• Octopus Energy: The Octo Assist and financial assistance schemes may provide tailored support.
• ScottishPower: The Hardship Fund helps eligible customers struggling with energy debt.
• E.ON Next: The E.ON Next Energy Fund offers support to qualifying households.
• OVO Energy: Its Extra Support package includes help with bills and repayment arrangements.

Each scheme has its own eligibility requirements, application process and available funding. Some funds may require evidence of income and expenditure or a financial assessment.

Could you get your standing charges waived?

Standing charges are a particularly frustrating part of energy bills for households trying to use as little electricity and gas as possible, because they are charged regardless of how much energy you use.

Octopus Energy offers standing charge holidays or waivers to some customers through Octo Assist. This can be especially useful for households whose circumstances make their energy bills difficult to manage.

Support is discretionary and isn’t available automatically to everyone.

Find out about Octopus standing charge support.

Free Electricity: How to get rewarded for changing when you use energy

It might sound too good to be true, but some suppliers reward customers for using electricity at particular times or reducing demand during busy periods.

These offers are often linked to smart meters and electricity grid flexibility. When there is plenty of renewable electricity available, suppliers may encourage customers to shift their usage away from more expensive peak periods.

EDF Weekend Saver: Earn up to 25 hours of free electricity

EDF’s former Sunday Saver scheme has been updated and is now called Weekend Saver.

The scheme rewards eligible customers who reduce their electricity usage during the weekday peak period between 4pm and 7pm.

Customers can earn up to 25 hours of free electricity per month at weekends, subject to the scheme’s rules and performance requirements.

You’ll need an eligible smart meter that sends half-hourly readings, and you’ll need to join the relevant EDF Flextras programme.

Octopus Energy: Power Up and Power Down sessions

Octopus Energy has also updated its electricity reward schemes for 2026.

Its Octoplus Saving Sessions now include Power Up and Power Down events.

During Power Up sessions, customers are encouraged to use more electricity during specified periods to earn rewards. Power Down sessions work in the opposite direction, rewarding customers for reducing their electricity use when the grid is under pressure.

Power Up replaces the previous Free Electricity sessions, so customers should check the current rewards and rules rather than assume that all electricity used during a session will be free.

These schemes can be particularly useful if you can move flexible tasks, such as running the washing machine or charging an electric vehicle, to a different time.

Find out about Octopus Saving Sessions.

Other help with heating bills this winter

Join the Priority Services Register

If you’re older, disabled, have a long-term medical condition or need extra assistance with your energy supply, you may qualify for your supplier’s Priority Services Register.

This is free and can provide additional assistance, including extra support during power cuts and help with communications or meter access.

It does not automatically reduce your energy bill, but it is worth joining if you qualify.

Find out about the Priority Services Register.

Check your local council

Local councils may provide financial help, referrals to local charities, warm spaces or other emergency assistance to households struggling with essential costs.

Availability and eligibility vary by area, so check your council’s current cost-of-living support pages rather than assuming a previous grant scheme is still running.

Find your local council here.

Get free advice if you’re falling behind

If you are already struggling with energy debt, free independent advice can help you understand your options and negotiate with your supplier.

Citizens Advice provides guidance on energy bills and debt, while StepChange offers free debt advice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a free electric blanket in 2026?

Yes. Octopus Energy offers free electric blankets to some vulnerable customers through Octo Assist. OVO Energy also provides eligible customers with heated throws and other energy-saving equipment. Support depends on individual circumstances and availability.

Who qualifies for the £150 Warm Home Discount?

Eligible low-income households receiving qualifying benefits may get £150 off their energy bill. Most qualifying customers in England and Wales receive the discount automatically, while some customers in Scotland need to apply through their supplier.

Can I get a grant to pay my energy bills?

Some energy suppliers provide hardship grants, debt relief and emergency assistance. Eligibility and funding vary, so contact your supplier directly to ask about its current support schemes.

Is free electricity really available?

Some suppliers offer free electricity hours or rewards for changing when you use electricity. EDF’s Weekend Saver offers eligible customers the opportunity to earn free weekend electricity, while Octopus offers Power Up and Power Down reward sessions.

Information checked October 2026. Energy supplier schemes, eligibility rules and available funding can change. Always check the latest terms with your supplier or the relevant government department before applying.