OVO Energy has confirmed a new £50million support package to help its customers over winter.
The new Customer Support Package will open from October 1 and will be targeted to “help customers with a real and immediate need”.
The help on offer will include payment holidays for all prepayment meter customers who are in debt.
It means households who are behind on their bills will see their money go towards heating their home, rather than paying back debts.
But as a payment holiday is only a temporary break, the debt will still need to be paid back eventually.
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The new OVO support will also include a 200% increase in emergency top-up credit for prepayment meter customers.
Customers who are vulnerable will also be able to access free technology and heat devices, such as smart thermostats and electric throws, along with free boiler checks.
OVO will partner with Trussell Trust to support food banks to meet increased need this winter as well.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of OVO said: “The stakes are high but the scale of ambition needs to be higher. With the new Prime Minister due to arrive next week, there isn't a moment to waste to find a way out of this crisis.
“Important and difficult decisions need to be made quickly. Some of these will need to take immediate effect, some in the months and years ahead. But we must start now.
“At OVO, we will continue to play an active role in proposing solutions, and putting our customers’ interests at the heart of the response.
“With fresh thinking, new leadership and bold action, it is still possible to keep everyone in Britain warm this winter.”
The new help from OVO comes after Ofgem announced its price cap will rise to £3,549 for those on default tariffs paying by direct debit from October 1.
This is up from the current figure of £1,971 and an 80% increase.
For those paying by prepayment meter - typically vulnerable households or those struggling to pay for their energy - there is a bigger jump from £2,017 to £3,608.
Standard credit customers - so where you pay once you've received your bill - will see their price cap rise from £2,100 to £3,764.
Approximately 24 million households are covered by the energy price cap, including four million on prepayment meters.
Are you worried about rising energy bills? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk
