![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/23\/590x\/secondary\/OVO-ENERGY-SUPPORT-PACKAGE-BILLS-4943808.jpg?r=1693906880882\")
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Energy\u00a0provider OVO will be opening an \u201cextensive\u201d support package worth nearly \u00a340million to help vulnerable customers struggling with bills over the winter months.<\/p>\n
The package will be open from October 1 and will provide those eligible with financial and practical support, from emergency top-up credit and payment reductions to energy-saving products to improve household efficiency.<\/p>\n
Raman Bhatia, CEO of OVO, said: \u201cOur Customer Support Package will provide immediate support to our customers who need it most right now. By working with partners like StepChange we can continue to directly help people facing hardship this winter and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ofgem\u2019s\u00a0energy price cap will fall from \u00a32,074 a year for an average household to \u00a31,923 from October to December and while this means rates will drop slightly, bills still remain staggering high.<\/p>\n
Though the coming winter remains \u201cchallenging\u201d for UK households, Vikki Brownridge, CEO of charity StepChange said: \u201cThe support announced by OVO will offer welcome relief to those continuing to struggle with the cost of living crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> Energy expert shares the check you ‘need’ to make before the price cap change<\/strong><\/p>\n OVO\u2019s customer support package dedicates nearly \u00a340millon investment in payment support that will continue its suspension of pre-payment meter warrant activity until March 2024.<\/p>\n According to the provider, it will also provide emergency top-up credit or temporary payment reductions to eligible customers.<\/p>\n The package also includes \u00a31million worth of free energy-saving products that help households stay warm and reduce their energy consumption, such as electric blankets and mattress toppers, draught excluders, LED bulbs and SMART sockets.<\/p>\n OVO will also provide \u00a3500,000 in funding to support key charities on the frontline of the cost of living crisis, including StepChange and Trussell Trust.<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong> This fund will also go towards trialling community energy hubs that provide local communities with education and direct support in understanding how to manage their energy consumption.<\/p>\n How to apply for OVO\u2019s customer support package<\/strong><\/p>\n OVO’s Customer Support Package is available to customers of OVO Energy, Boost and SSE Energy Services.<\/p>\n In order to complete an\u00a0application, OVO said customers will need certain information to hand, such as:<\/p>\n A statement on its website reads: \u201cWe can only accept your first application so please make sure all the information you enter is accurate.\u201d<\/p>\n OVO is also calling on the Government to introduce new measures to help vulnerable Britons this winter.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n This includes fronting a campaign to remove the standing charge, which is a fixed amount of money people must pay regardless of how much energy is used.<\/p>\n While this charge is set to increase in October, OVO noted that it will not be passing on the permitted rise.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also calling for a new social tariff to be put in place by winter 2024 to protect those who cannot afford to heat their homes through the sustained period of high prices to come.<\/p>\n Mr Bhatia said: \u201cEnergy bills are set to stay high despite the recent price cap reduction. This leaves many households with stretched finances struggling to pay. We are calling for a reform of the unpopular standing charge and a social tariff for the most financially vulnerable.\u201d<\/p>\n Ms Brownridge added: \u201cGovernment must look at all options to deliver more to support consumers – particularly those on pre-payment meters – ahead of another bleak winter. StepChange has long called for the implementation of a social tariff, which will help to shield the most vulnerable in our society from continued high energy costs.\u201d<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/23\/590x\/secondary\/ENERGY-BILL-SUPPORT-4943814.jpg?r=1693906880926\")
<\/p>\nOVO\u2019s customer support package<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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