THE UK’S biggest energy firm could help you pay your heating bill this winter as £116,500 has been added to its support fund.
Octopus Energy customers can get extra financial support through its Octo Assist scheme.
Support given to customers includes a free use of a thermal camera to find draughts around your home.
Households with medical vulnerabilities can also get a free electric blanket to help keep warm and cut down on their energy bill.
It also provides grants, standing charge holidays and debt write-offs to those in need.
The support for those in need draws from a £40million fund, but the major energy supplier has now revealed more cash has been added following a fundraising campaign.
Customers were able to donate some of the credit on their account to help those in need, with over 30,000 better-off users choosing to do so.
It raised over £66,500, with the firm then matching customers’ donations.
Taking to X, the firm said: “Over 30k of you chose to donate your credits, raising £66.5k!
“We matched £50k, meaning £116,500 is now helping customers stay warm through Octo Assist, our £40m bill support fund.
Households who wish to donate can do so by heading to the dashboard on their online account.
There is also an option to make a monthly contribution to other charities such as National Energy Action, Citizens Advice, and Renewable World.
News of the extra cash donation comes after Ofgem announced a surprise increase to its price cap.
Between January and March, the typical annual dual fuel bill will rise by £3 to £1,758 – up from the current £1,755 cap that came in from October.
This equates to an average monthly increase of around 28p.
The new price cap will come into force on January 1, and will affect households on standard variable tariffs.
Octopus Energy customers who are worried about rising bills can apply for the support by visiting /octopus.energy/financial-assistance/.
The form will ask you some questions about your financial situation.
Based on your answers Octopus may offer you help from a number of support options including electric blankets and standing charge holidays based on circumstances and need.
What other support is available?
Octopus Energy is not the only supplier which offers support for customers in need.
Through the E.ON Next Energy Fund, customers can apply to clear debts and also get heated throws and rechargeable foot warmers.
In 2024, EDF cleared £1.5million in customer debt, and nine out of ten of those supported remained debt free for at least 12 months.
You could also get up to £2,000 in debt relief through the British Gas Energy Trust.
The fund is available to existing British Gas customers who are experiencing energy debt or at risk of fuel poverty.
But you will need to have an energy debt between £50-£2,000 on a pre-payment meter or £250-£2,000 on a credit account, to be eligible.
Meanwhile, OVO Energy is giving out free electric blankets to help customers with rising energy bills this winter.
Also, if you are of state pension age (66) you could be entitled to a £300 cash boost to put towards your energy bill as part of the Winter Fuel Payment.
The cash is set to land in accounts from November, but many will also receive the money in December.
Better yet, anyone who was born before September 22 1959 and lives in England or Wales can receive the payment.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
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