Octopus customers struggling with high winter energy bills may be able to access financial support through a fund designed to give extra help to those in need. The Octo Assist Fund is a £15 million customer support scheme designed to give extra help to people most in need.
Direct financial support for customers through the scheme includes Octopus applying credit to an existing customer’s account to reduce or clear existing debt. One of the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group members got in touch to share that through the fund, she had £952 credited to her account last week, taking her energy account balance to zero.
She explained: “I filled in the form with Octopus before winter as I was paying my bills off each month through Direct Debit which at the time was £375, but it was predicted to rise to around £700/£725 per month in December and January. Octopus advisors told me if I was in debt they could help me and would look at my account by this summer.”
She continued: “Two advisors told me the same thing and to set my Direct Debit low, so I set it for £108, which included the £67 government energy discount.
“After the January bill came in, I had £952.34 on my account, but I got a phone call from Octopus on February 8 to tell me they have wiped the account to zero.”
The woman also received an email from Octopus confirming the credit to her account shortly after the phone call.
The Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group member wished to remain anonymous, but wanted to share her story to help others seek out support from their energy supplier f they are struggling with rising energy bills.
Octopus energy bill help
Different types of support from the Octo Assist Fund
- Direct financial support: Grants to help offset some of your high energy bills, added as credit on your Octopus account.
- Apply to have your standing charges waived over Winter: available to 100,000 customers in greatest need.
- Personalised account help: From returning credit to long-term payment plans or payment holidays.
How to apply for help from Octopus
If you're an Octopus customer, fill out the quick and simple online tool here to get things started.
The form will ask you some questions about your financial situation, and based on that they may offer you help from a number of support options including direct bill grants and standing charge holidays based on circumstances and need.
Find out more on the Octopus website here.
Energy saving support
Existing Octopus customers may also be able to access:
- Free electric blankets: An electric blanket can save the average home £300 per year (they cost between 2 - 4p per hour to run). Octopus is giving them out free to those in greatest need - particularly the elderly, or those with medical or mobility issues.
- Loan a thermal camera for free: Plug the infrared cameras into your smartphone to see where heat is escaping through leaks and draughts around your home.
Households across the country are trying to manage higher energy bills this winter, hopeful that an early spring bringing warmer temperatures is on the way.
The UK Government’s £400 Energy Bills Support Scheme is set to end next month with final discounts of £67 applied to domestic accounts in February and March.
The Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) is also due to rise from £2,500 to £3,000 in April, which means households will see higher bills until July when gas prices are expected to fall.
Consumer champion Martin Lewis wrote to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt last week, asking him to keep the EPG at £2,500, warning that the increase will push a further 1.7 million households into fuel poverty.
Help for all energy customers with energy bills
Octopus isn’t the only energy supplier offering financial support to customers, below is a brief overview with direct links to the relevant web pages.
Octopus Energy
The Octo Assist Fund for Octopus energy customers who are struggling with their energy bills - find out more here.
Scottish Power
The Scottish Power Hardship fund is for existing customers in arrears - find out more here.
Shell Energy
Guidance on if you are struggling to pay your energy bills and help accessing the support fund - find out more here.
E.ON Next
How to access the E.ON Next Trust if you are in energy arrears with E.ON Next - find out more here.
EDF Energy Support Fund
How to access the customer Support Fund - find out more here.
OVO Energy
How to access OVO Energy’s £50m Customer Support Package for those struggling to pay bills and need extra support - find out more here.
British Gas Energy Trust
If your gas/electricity supplier isn't listed above you can contact them directly or visit the British Gas Energy trust who will consider applications even if you are not with British Gas - find out more here.
Households in Scotland may also be able to access support through the Scottish Welfare Fund - find out more on MyGov.Scot here.
To keep up to date with the latest cost of living news, join our Money Saving Scotland Facebook page here, or subscribe to our newsletter which goes out daily, Monday to Friday - sign up here.
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