How to claim free heated blankets, heaters and more: What help can you get this winter?

With energy bills putting pressure on household budgets this winter, keeping your home warm isn’t always affordable. But you could qualify for free heated blankets, portable heaters, energy-saving equipment or other practical help.

Some energy suppliers offer additional support to customers struggling with heating costs, while charities and local councils may be able to help with essential appliances, emergency energy vouchers and home improvements.

You don’t necessarily need to be behind on your bills or receiving benefits to qualify. But much of this support isn’t automatic, so it’s worth knowing what’s available and how to apply.

Can you get a free heated blanket or heater from your energy supplier?

Several energy suppliers have offered free heated blankets, heated throws and energy saving equipment to customers who need extra support. These schemes often prioritise people on low incomes, older customers and those with disabilities or health conditions that make keeping warm particularly important.

Octopus Energy – free electric blankets

Octopus Energy has provided free electric blankets to eligible customers through its Octo Assist support scheme. The blankets can help you stay warm while using less electricity than heating an entire room.

Who qualifies? Octopus prioritises customers experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability. Eligibility is assessed individually, and blankets are subject to availability.

How to apply: Visit  Octopus Energy and ask about Octo Assist and whether its electric blanket scheme is accepting applications.

OVO Energy – heated throws and energy saving kits

OVO has offered heated throws and energy-saving equipment through its Extra Support Package.

Who qualifies? Support is generally aimed at customers experiencing financial difficulties, with eligibility depending on household circumstances and the assistance requested.

How to apply: Contact  OVO Energy and ask about its Extra Support Package, including whether heated throws or other equipment are currently available.

EDF Energy – heaters and heated throws

EDF has previously offered practical heating support, including portable heaters and heated throws, alongside financial assistance for customers struggling with energy costs.

Who qualifies? Support is targeted at customers experiencing financial hardship or vulnerability, with individual circumstances taken into account.

How to apply: Contact  EDF Energy and ask about its winter support arrangements and whether you qualify for heating equipment.

E.ON Next – energy-saving and financial support

E.ON Next offers help for customers struggling with energy bills, including support with energy debt and access to relevant energy efficiency schemes.

Free heaters or heated blankets aren’t guaranteed, but it’s worth asking what practical assistance is available.

How to apply: Visit  E.ON Next and ask about its hardship support and energy-saving schemes.

Remember: Free equipment schemes can change or close when supplies run out. Not every supplier offers the same help, so check directly before applying.

Are you on the Priority Services Register?

If you’re older, have a disability or long-term health condition, or need extra support at home, you could qualify for free help through your energy supplier’s Priority Services Register (PSR).

You may also qualify if you’re pregnant, have young children or rely on electricity for essential medical equipment.

Joining the register means your supplier knows you may need additional support. This could include advance notice of planned power cuts, extra help during emergencies, accessible bills or assistance managing your account.

How to apply: Contact your energy supplier and ask to join the Priority Services Register. It’s free, and you don’t need to receive benefits to qualify.

Being on the register doesn’t automatically entitle you to a free heated blanket or heater, but it can help your supplier identify additional support you may need.

Find out more through  Ofgem’s Priority Services Register guide.

What help can you get from charities?

You don’t have to rely entirely on your energy supplier. Charities and community organisations may also be able to help you stay warm, particularly if you’re on a low income or have health problems.

British Gas Energy Trust – essential household support

The  British Gas Energy Trust supports households experiencing financial hardship, including people who aren’t British Gas customers. Through its charitable programmes and local partners, you may be able to access energy debt assistance, essential household appliances, emergency fuel vouchers or practical energy saving support.

Who qualifies? Eligibility depends on the particular fund or partner organisation, but support generally targets households experiencing financial hardship.

How to apply: Visit the  British Gas Energy Trust to check available grants and find local support organisations. Some assistance requires a referral rather than a direct application.

National Energy Action – help keeping your home warm

National Energy Action offers free advice to people struggling to afford their energy bills. It can help you understand your energy costs, identify financial assistance and find schemes that could make your home warmer and cheaper to heat.

Who qualifies? Its advice services support households experiencing energy difficulties, particularly those on low incomes or in vulnerable circumstances.

How to apply: Visit National Energy Action or call its Warm and Safe Homes advice service on 0800 304 7159.

Local councils – emergency help with heating costs

Your local council may offer financial assistance if you’re struggling to afford heating, electricity or other essentials. Depending on where you live, this could include emergency energy vouchers, essential household items or referrals to local charities providing practical support.

Who qualifies? Each council sets its own criteria, often based on household income, financial hardship and individual circumstances.

How to apply:  Find your local council on GOV.UK and check its crisis support or household assistance schemes.

You can also use Turn2us to search for charitable grants and financial support based on your circumstances.

What about help making your home warmer?

A heated blanket can make a difference, but it won’t solve problems such as poor insulation, draughts or an inefficient heating system.

Depending on your income, benefits, health and property, you may qualify for help with insulation, heating upgrades or other energy-saving improvements. Schemes such as the  Warm Homes: Local Grant can help eligible households in England improve their homes, although funding and availability depend on where you live.

Check with your local council or energy supplier to see which schemes are open and whether your property qualifies.

How to apply for extra support

You don’t need to wait until you’ve missed a payment to ask for help. Contact your energy supplier and explain that you’re struggling to keep your home warm. Ask specifically about free heated blankets, heaters, energy-saving equipment, hardship funds and any additional support available.

You may be asked about your household income, essential spending, benefits, health conditions or energy debt. Having this information ready could make the application easier.

If your supplier can’t provide equipment, ask whether it can refer you to a local charity or community support scheme.

What if you can’t afford to put your heating on?

Free equipment can help reduce costs, but it isn’t a replacement for keeping your home at a safe temperature, particularly if you’re older or have health problems. If you’re struggling with your bills, contact your supplier as soon as possible. You can ask for an affordable repayment plan, financial assistance or extra support if you use a prepayment meter.

Your supplier must take your circumstances into account when agreeing repayments. If you can’t afford to top up a prepayment meter, you may also qualify for emergency or additional support credit, although this usually needs to be repaid.

Where to get help if something goes wrong

If your supplier isn’t responding, refuses to consider your circumstances or isn’t providing appropriate support, you can make a formal complaint.

Use  Resolver for free to raise and manage your complaint, keep your correspondence together and escalate the issue if necessary.

Don’t assume you won’t qualify for help. Even if you’re working, don’t receive benefits or haven’t fallen behind on your bills, you could still be eligible for extra support, and with many winter schemes offering limited funding or equipment, it’s worth asking sooner rather than later.

If you have any thoughts on this topic, or any other consumer issues you would like us to cover, feel free to get in touch with us at support@resolver.co.uk 

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