First introduced in April 2022, ECO4 funding can enable low-income, fuel-poor and/or vulnerable households to install a wide range of energy efficiency measures in their homes. Such measures include, but are not limited to, various types of insulation, heating systems, boilers, and smart controls.
If you aren’t in a position to fund the installation of energy efficiency measures yourself, you may be able to seek help in the form of an eco government grant like ECO4. Read on to learn more about the eligibility criteria.
Who can qualify for the ECO4 scheme?
If you are a homeowner or private tenant that is in receipt of income-related benefits and/or living in a property with an inefficient electric heating system, you may be eligible for ECO4 funding.
Though there were considerably more qualifying benefits under the ECO3 funding scheme, there is still plenty of help available under ECO4. The benefits which qualify for funding under the ECO4 scheme are:
● Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
● Income-related Employment & Support Allowance
● Income Support
● Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
● Working Tax Credit
● Child Tax Credits
● Universal Credit
● Housing Benefit (newly eligible under ECO4)
● Pension Credit Savings Credit (newly eligible under ECO4)
● Child Benefit (dependent on income thresholds)
Child Benefit income thresholds explained
There are additional criteria involved if you are planning to secure ECO4 funding by being in receipt of Child Benefit. These criteria relate to the number of children in question, whether the claimant is a single parent or part of a couple, and the claimant’s annual income.
Please see the table below for further details:
Which benefits no longer qualify?
As previously mentioned, there are fewer qualifying benefits under the ECO4 scheme than there were under ECO3. Benefits that no longer entitle recipients to eco government grants like ECO4 include:
● Armed Forces Independence Payment
● Attendance Allowance
● Carer’s Allowance
● Constant Attendance Allowance
● Disability Living Allowance
● Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
● Personal Independence Payment
● Severe Disablement Allowance
● War Pensions Mobility Supplement
What other options are available to me?
If you don’t receive any of the qualifying benefits mentioned above, try not to worry – there may be other options available to you. One such option is the ECO4 scheme’s Local Authority Flexible Eligibility infill mechanism, which allows local councils to set their own eligibility criteria for subsidised or fully-funded energy efficiency measures.
Under ECO3, participating energy companies were only required to deliver 25% of their obligation through this “sub-scheme”, while under ECO4 this has risen to 50%. This means that there is actually greater support available now for those who are classed as low-income, fuel-poor and/or vulnerable but who are not in receipt of qualifying benefits.
If you think you might qualify for the ECO4 scheme, look no further than UK Energy Management (NE) Ltd. We take pride in helping people secure the funding they need so, even if you aren’t 100% sure that you’re eligible, please do not hesitate to contact us. Our experienced team will be happy to discuss your case with you and help you get the support you require. Alternatively, check your eligibility on our website now!
