Thousands of customers with major power companies are being offered free services to help them manage their high bills.
Utilita, which has about 800,000 customers, is providing free air fryers and electric blankets to low-income families most in need.
Additional assistance is available to those struggling to pay their bills. Credit: Getty
The support is part of the energy supplier’s Warm Homes Discount Scheme.
About 10,000 people are installing energy-saving devices ahead of the winter season, when electricity bills tend to rise as temperatures drop.
To be eligible for this support, you must be receiving a pension benefit, a payment designed to support low-income state pensioners, or the guaranteed part of the pension credit.
If you are receiving benefits, your home must also meet the “high energy costs” rules.
You don’t even need to call an energy company to apply.
The government will carry out a survey based on data on households receiving benefits and pass the results directly to energy companies.
Energy companies will use this data to identify people who qualify for free service and contact them directly.
If you think you qualify, keep an eye on the post or email.
Energy companies are asking customers not to contact them directly in order to keep phone lines open for urgent enquiries.
Electric blankets typically cost between £30 and £100, depending on the size and model.
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Meanwhile, you can buy a decent air fryer for around £50.
This means that on average the freebies will save you around £105, but this will vary depending on the model.
Not only that, but these gadgets also help you cut down on your energy costs.
An electric blanket is cheaper than heating the whole house, and an air fryer is cheaper than an oven.
Further support
Utilitia isn’t just providing extra support to help its customers make ends meet.
The support available will vary depending on the time and supplier, so we recommend checking with your supplier directly if you’re in trouble.
Octopus Energy has previously provided free electric blankets to customers through its £30 million Octopus Assist fund.
The energy company, which serves more than 5 million customers, distributed money-saving gadgets to some of the most vulnerable people last winter.
What assistance can I get with my energy bills?
If you’re struggling, there are several ways you can get help paying your energy bills.
If you find yourself in debt, you can always speak to your supplier to see if you can work out a repayment plan before you get a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off your debt in installments over a period of time.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan that you don’t think you can afford, talk to them again to see if you can negotiate better terms.
Some energy companies are offering subsidy programs for customers who are struggling to pay their bills.
However, eligibility criteria vary from supplier to supplier and the amount you receive will depend on your economic situation.
For example, British Gas and Scottish Gas customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills could receive grants of up to £2,000.
British Gas is also providing support through the British Gas Energy Trust and a Private Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power are also offering grants to struggling customers.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional support and protection because they are not on the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service is designed to help vulnerable households, such as elderly or sick people, and benefits include advance warning of power outages, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re in trouble.
Contact your energy company to see if you can apply.
This means that those most likely to receive assistance are older people, people with mobility problems or other medical conditions.
OVO Energy also provides appliances to help homes save money through a £40 million fund.
Customers struggling to pay their bills were offered energy-saving items such as electric blankets, mattress toppers, LED light bulbs and smart plugs, as well as free boiler servicing.
White goods such as refrigerators, ovens, washing machines and air fryers are also being distributed by local authorities in some areas – check our guide on how to get them.
Meanwhile, British Gas has launched a new scheme to help pay off energy debt.
Its debt matching scheme means that if a customer pays back £100, British Gas will pay back £100, effectively wiping out half the debt and helping customers get back on track more quickly.
Energy companies including British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power and OboEnergy are offering free boilers and grants to some customers to help reduce costs.
British Gas and Scottish Gas are also offering grants of up to £2,000 to customers.
Most major power companies are installing free smart meters in customers’ homes to help them keep track of their spending.
