OVO provides free electric throws, smart sockets to customers facing bill struggles

A major British energy supplier is offering a range of free items for energy customers to assist with soaring costs during the winter months. OVO announced this month that its new Extra Support Package, valued at £56 million, is now available to customers who require the greatest assistance.

This follows OVO revealing it has already supported customers with £190 million worth of aid since 2022. Last year, the company distributed various items, including smart sockets, efficiency kits, and heated throws, to 42,000 customers. Nevertheless, the support isn't accessible to every customer, with only those struggling to pay their bills being eligible.

Despite this limitation, OVO is urging customers to verify their eligibility and submit an application if they believe they could benefit from the additional support. David Buttress, chief executive of OVO, said: "We're providing support to those who need it most by working together with our charity partners and committing our largest ever customer support package.

"But this isn't a long term solution. We need to make the energy system work better for everyone."

All the free stuff offered by OVO

OVOs support package offers a wide array of free things and extra support, such as:

• Free electric throws

• Home efficiency kits
• Smart sockets
• Energy-efficient upgrades such as loft insulation or a new boiler
• Direct debit reductions
• Emergency credit top-ups

• Extended repayment plans
• Dedicated support from a specialist team

How to check eligibility for OVO's extra support

In order to benefit from the new energy support from OVO, some customers will need to prove their eligiblity. The energy firm allows customers to check if they're eligible through their website here.

To start off, all you need to do is enter your OVO account number as well as your postcode. Guidance from the firm also highlights that it will need to known your monthly available spend after you've paid off your bills - this can be checked with an online budgeting tool.

Guidance from the OVO website adds: "If you think you'll struggle to pay your bills and you're an OVO customer, then you might be eligible. It doesn't take long to apply for support and you'll get your answer right away.

"When you apply for support, things like household income, any disposable income, and medical needs will be taken into account - to help prioritise those who need help most."

Social tariffs

OVO is also campaigning for the introduction of an energy social tariff to help protect those most at risk of being unable to afford to heat their homes throughout the winter period due to higher energy costs. The firm highlighted that a report from the Green Alliance showed that a social tariff offering discounted energy bills to low-income households could push them out of poverty.

The report also stated that a social tariff would be more effective at tackling energy poverty than the government's Warm Home Discount was in 2024.