Major energy supplier serving 800,000 customers gives away FREE energy-saving gadgets worth £105

THOUSANDS of customers with a major energy supplier are receiving free benefits to help them cope with high bills.

Utilita, which has about 800,000 customers, distributes air fryers and electric blankets to low-income households most in need.

Extra help is available for those struggling with billsSource: Getty

This support is part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme offered by your energy supplier.

Around 10,000 people are opting to buy energy-saving gadgets ahead of winter, when electricity bills are typically higher due to colder weather.

To be eligible, you must be receiving benefits or the guaranteed part of Pension Credit, which is a benefit designed to help state pension claimants on a low income.

If you receive benefits, your home must also meet ‘high energy costs’ requirements.

And you don’t even have to call the power company to apply.

The government carries out checks based on data it has on households receiving benefits and then passes this on directly to the energy company.

Based on this data, the energy company determines who is eligible to receive free benefits and contacts them directly.

If you think you qualify, please follow your post or email.

The power company has asked customers not to contact it directly in order to keep its phone lines open for urgent customer questions.

Typically, the price of an electric blanket ranges from £30 to £100, depending on the size and model.

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Meanwhile, a decent oil-less fryer can be purchased for around £50.

This means you can save around £105 on average thanks to these freebies, although this amount may vary depending on the specific model.

What’s more, these gadgets can help reduce energy costs.

Heating blankets are cheaper to run than heating your entire home. An air fryer is also cheaper to run than an oven.

MORE SUPPORT

It’s not just Utilitia that offers its customers additional support to help them make ends meet.

The support available may vary depending on the time of year and the provider, so if you are having problems it is best to contact them directly.

Octopus Energy has previously offered its customers free electric blankets as part of its £30 million Octopus Assist fund.

The energy company, which serves more than five million customers, handed out money-saving gadgets to those most in need last winter.

What help is available to pay energy bills?

THERE are lots of ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.

If you find yourself in debt, you can always approach your supplier and ask if they can offer you a repayment plan before you switch to a prepayment meter.

It involves repaying the debt in installments over a set period.

If your supplier offers you a payment plan you don’t think you can afford, talk to them again and see if you can negotiate a better deal.

Several energy companies offer subsidy programs to customers who are having difficulty paying their bills.

However, eligibility criteria vary between providers and the amount you can get depends on your financial situation.

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

British Gas also offers support through the British Gas Energy Trust and the Individuals Family Fund.

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power are also offering grants to customers facing difficulties.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protection because they do not sign up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).

This service helps support vulnerable families, such as the elderly or sick. Some of the benefits include advance warning of power cuts, free gas safety checks and extra support if there are any problems.

Contact your utility company to see if you can apply.

This means that older people, people with mobility problems or other health conditions have the greatest chance of receiving help.

Ovo Energy has launched a £40m fund to provide households with money-saving gadgets.

Customers struggling to pay their bills were provided with free energy-saving items such as electric blankets and mattresses, LED light bulbs, smart plugs, as well as free boiler servicing.

White goods including fridges, ovens, washing machines and air fryers are also being handed out by local councils in some areas – check out our guide to find out how to get your hands on them.

Meanwhile, British Gas has launched a new scheme to help pay off energy debts.

The debt matching scheme means, for example, that if a customer repays £100, British Gas will also repay £100, effectively writing off half the debt and allowing them to get back on track with paying off their debt more quickly.

Energy companies such as British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power and Ovo Energy are offering some of their customers free boilers to help them cut costs, as well as providing grants

British Gas and Scottish Gas are also offering customers grants of up to £2,000.

Most major suppliers are also installing free smart meters in customers’ homes to help them track their spending.