‘I was handed £150 and a free electric blanket – I didn’t know this support existed’ | Personal Finance | Finance
A woman from Swansea was left delighted after receiving a £150 grant and a free electric blanket. Describing the help as “one of life’s wins”, Angharad Thomas, 45, said she first discovered the support by chance.
Ms Thomas told Express.co.uk “It was very random, I had a news notification come up on my mobile phone about OVO Energy offering free electric blankets.” Looking into it right away, Ms Thomas said she was signposted to TSB’s Lightning Reach portal, which helps connect people to personalised support, such as grants, benefits, and general bill help. Using the portal, Ms Thomas was informed she would be eligible for the free electric blanket and a £150 grant towards her energy bill.
Living on a tight budget and determined to stretch every penny, she applied immediately. Ms Thomas said: “I followed up with a telephone call to OVO, having made my application online through the Lightning Reach portal.
“I was very keen to take full advantage of the offer, and I was impressed with the one-day delivery to my home.”
The £150 credit was applied directly to Ms Thomas’s energy bill.
Ms Thomas, who receives the Universal Creditbenefit, met the eligibility criteria and said the process was smooth and fast. She said: “I was very impressed with the quality of service provided by OVO, and they were very informative and super efficient.”
Receiving support has made a meaningful difference to Mrs Thomas’s day-to-day life. She noted that the heated blanket has helped her keep warm while keeping energy costs low and managing her health.
Ms Thomas said: “It definitely felt like a win – one of life’s wins.”
Jodie Thompson, director of customer services, TSB, said: “Stories like Angharad’s show the positive impact that Lightning Reach has on people’s finances and wellbeing.
“We’re proud to help connect households with the financial support available to them – and would encourage anyone to check their eligibility for a grant, which could make all the difference this winter.”
Check your eligibility for grants using the portal here.
