A MAJOR energy firm is handing out free electric blankets to keep customers warm this winter as energy costs continue to rise.

Hard-up households can also get a free smart thermostat too to help them with their bills.

Energy prices for the average household rose from £1,971 to £2,500 a year in October.

To help struggling households, Ovo Energy is handing out free electric blankets and smart thermostats to some of its 1.5million customers.

It's part of Ovo’s £50million customer support package which launched on October 1 to help those in "real and immediate need".

Electric blankets can be a cheaper way of keeping warm instead of relying on central heating.

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They can usually cost anything from £30, for example we found one at Dunelm for this price, but they can range up to as much as £50.

While smart thermostats are bits of kit that connect your heating system to the internet.

It allows you to turn the dial up or down from your smart phone – whether you're in or out of the house.

So far the major energy firm has given out over 13,000 throws and 1,700 thermostats.

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You can get two electric blankets and one smart thermostat per household.

Customers can also get free boiler services and a discounted boiler as part of the help.

Several customers have taken to Facebook to recommend others apply for the scheme.

One wrote: "Deffo worth applying. I've had it and had free boiler service, free smart thermostat and two electric throws."

Another has received her free blanket and is also getting a free advisory phone call too.

She said: "I got my throws yesterday, they are so warm. Still waiting on the phone call however."

Any Ovo customer can apply for the support, which also includes a debt repayment holiday for all prepayment meter customers.

When you apply for help, the supplier takes into account things like household and disposable income and medical needs.

That means that not everyone who applies will get the package, and you might not get everything that is included.

Ovo told The Sun that the best way to check if you could get the support is to chat with one of its advisers online.

The energy supplier also owns SSE Energy and Boost – and the help is available to all of these customers too.

The support is available now until March 31, 2023.

Ovo isn't the only supplier offering help to customers this winter.

Earlier this year Octopus also offered out free electric blankets for those most in need.

British Gas has also confirmed that it'll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.

How to apply for the Ovo customer support package

You can apply for the support online or via the app.

Customers will need to fill out a form answering questions about their income and medical needs.

You will need to provide details like your name, account number, address, date of birth.

You'll also need to state your annual household income, your monthly disposable income, medical needs, how many people you live with and if you receive any benefits.

The form will also ask how you pay for your energy and how you heat your home.

Each of these things will be taken into account when allocating the package.

If you want to know more about the package and eligibility criteria you can check out the Ovo website.

Or, chat to an adviser online or on WhatsApp.

What other help is Ovo offering in its customer support package?

The £50 million support package includes a broad range of measures to support its vulnerable customers.

Ovo said it remains dedicated to its pledge to never disconnect customers who fall behind on their payments.

It also launched a dedicated website where customers can find out more about each element of support.

Direct debit customers

Direct debit customers have access to an online payment support tool, which can be accessed on the Ovo website.

It can help customers to assess the right plan for them.

Ovo said the most vulnerable customers may be able to have their direct debits reduced by up to 15%.

Pay on demand customers

Ovo customers who pay on receipt of bills can create a bespoke payment plan, lasting for 36 months.

It says this has been increased from 24 months to help ease the bill burden this winter.

Prepayment customers

Ovo has increased its emergency credit from £5 to £15.

It is also making sure that if customers are switched to a prepayment plan, they will receive regular check ins to make sure they can get through the winter.

Prepayment customers will also be offered a payment holiday from debt repayment.

You may also be able to claim a free boiler service worth £90, to ensure it is are working efficiently this winter.

There is also dedicated support for customers in the most financial difficulty from a specialist team.

Meanwhile, we've rounded up all of the bill support you can get or apply for this winter.

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