Octo Assist: how to get help with an Octopus bill

Octopus says the fund is aimed at people in the greatest need. That includes households that struggled to afford energy even before the energy crisis, and people whose health or safety depends on heating and power.

Support is decided case by case. Octopus gives examples such as:

• Standing charge holidays or waivers.
• Free electric blankets or heated throws.
• Other help agreed with you after the budget check.

Start with the budget form linked from Octopus’s Octo Assist help article. It collects your income and outgoings securely, so Octopus can see what help fits. Have recent bills and benefit details to hand.

Check whether you qualify for the Warm Home Discount, make sure your Direct Debit reflects your real usage, and send regular meter readings so you are not paying for estimates.

• Does Octopus do a credit check?How Octopus uses your credit data when you join, what it shares with TransUnion, and how paying on time or late affects your credit file.
• How to switch to Octopus Energy: steps and timingsWhat happens when you switch to Octopus Energy, how long it takes, when you can leave a fixed deal without a fee and what to do on switch day.
• Your first month with Octopus EnergyWhat happens in your first weeks with Octopus: the switch date, your first reading, your Direct Debit and the first chance to change tariff.
• Your smart meter in-home display explainedWhat a smart meter in-home display shows, why a blank screen does not always mean a broken meter, and when you need one at all.
• What happens to your smart meter when you switch to OctopusWhether your smart meter keeps working when you switch to Octopus, why some older meters go dumb, and what to do about it.
• Solar panels with Octopus Energy: getting the most from themHow to set up solar panels with Octopus: getting paid for export, choosing an import tariff, and when a battery or EV changes the answer.