People are just realising energy firms are giving out FREE winter gadgets to keep warm without putting the heating on

PEOPLE are just realising energy firms are giving out free gadgets to keep you warm this winter.

The temperature has well and truly dropped this week and many households will be cranking up their heating, leading to a likely hike in energy bills.

But billpayers may not know that they could qualify for a number of energy-saving freebies.

Octopus Energy is offering customers free electric blankets through its £30million Octopus Assist fund.

Ovo Energy is also offering money-saving gadgets to households through a £50million customer support package.

Customers struggling to pay bills can get access to free energy-saving items like heated throws and mattress toppers.

One customer took to social media to share how they received a heated throw from Ovo.

Writing in the Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Facebook group, they said: "Just wanted to say thank you to the lady who posted about free heated throw from OVO.

"Mine arrived yesterday. I didn't know anything about this offer until I read it here."

Others rushed to comments to say they didn't know about the scheme.

One asked if the offer was available if you're on a pay-as-you-go meter to which a fellow customer assured her it was.

Another said: "Just found it and applied thank you I was planning on trying to buy one."

A third wrote: "Just found it and applied thank you I was planning on trying to buy one."

While a fourth said: "I applied when I read about it here. Arrived last week and it's been wonderful. Been using my electric throw every day and am so much warmer now."

And a fifth commented: "I'm with Ovo I didn't know!"

"Me too, I have applied, thank you," another posted.

You can apply for OVO's Customer Support Package on its website.

The firm said applications should take around two minutes but you should have some information ready to hand, including:

• Your monthly disposable income (this is any income after you’ve paid tax, rent or mortgage payments, and essentials like utility bills)
• Your account number and postcode

You may also have to include how many people live in your home, what your main type of heating is and how you pay for your energy.

You may also have to state whether you have qualified for the Warm Home Discount before or are on means-tested benefits.

You can make applications on behalf of yourself and others, for example, a family member who doesn't have access to the internet.

Others commented that Octopus Energy offers a similar deal.

One wrote: "Octopus Energy do this as well as a £136 holiday payment charged to your account. On low income don’t have to be receiving benefits just need to meet the criteria of your outgoings."

A second posted: "Octopus do one too if anyone is with them."

Octopus Energy is offering customers free electric blankets through its £30million Octopus Assist fund.

The energy firm, which services almost seven million households, is dishing out the money-saving gadgets to the most vulnerable.

This means those most likely to receive help are the elderly and those with mobility issues or other medical conditions.

You should contact Octopus to find out if you're eligible for help.

What other freebies can I get?

Thousands of households on benefits can get help applying for free and cheap boilers through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

Help is offered on a case-by-case basis, but it can mean having a new boiler fitted, or loft or cavity wall insulation put in, often for free.

A number of energy companies are signed up to the scheme, including British Gas and EDF.

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.

For example, British Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.

E.ON, Octopus and Scottish Power all have their own schemes where you can get money towards the cost of bills too.

It's worth speaking to your supplier to see what help is at hand.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.