Funding and Eligibility
There are various funding streams available which may cover full or partial costs of energy efficiency works to your home.
Energy Company Obligations (ECO)
The Energy Company Obligation is now in its fourth round (ECO4).
ECO4 is part of an on-going government initiative and to support lower income households and those living in fuel poverty to live in more energy efficient homes to help save money on their fuel bills and reach carbon neutral goals.
Funding is provided by major energy suppliers such as Scottish Power, British Gas, EoN, Octopus, EDF and others to fund the installation of energy saving improvements to eligible homes. You do not have to use these companies for your energy as they provide funding for any households that are eligible.
There are many ways to qualify, one of them being someone living at the address where work will be carried out needs to be in receipt of one of the benefits listed below:
- Income based Job Seekers Allowance
- Income related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit Savings Credit
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Universal Credit
ECO4 Flex
If nobody in the household meets any of the above criteria there may still be a way to qualify known as “Flex”, this allows the local authority in your area to agree and make them eligible for ECO funding. The criteria and process may be slightly different for each local authority area.
Therefore, if you are not on income related benefits but still have a low household income or have certain health conditions which are impacted by living in a cold home, you may still be able to access funding.
Those eligible for Flex funding will need to qualify in one of the following ways:
- Household income of less than £31 000
- Children in receipt of free school meals, due to a low household income
- Council Tax reduction due to a low income
- Health conditions, a disability or mobility issues
If you think you may be eligible for Flex, then give us a call or use the Contact Us button below and we will be able to advise and give you information on how to apply for this funding. We may be already working with your local authority and be able to get access to funding for you.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
This funding is provided by Utility companies and is an extension of ECO4 but for people who fall out of the ECO4 eligibility criteria. It provides a single insulation measure such as cavity wall insulation or loft insulation.
GBIS targets low-income and vulnerable households, as well as those living in homes with an energy performance rating of D-G and within Council tax bands A-E in Scotland and A-D in England.
EES:ABS is the Energy Efficient Scotland: Area Based Scheme (EES:ABS)
This scheme uses Scottish Government funding to reduce fuel poverty. Funding is awarded to and managed by Councils to benefit their residents by improving the energy efficiency of their home and reduce fuel bills. It works as an area based scheme which is designed and delivered by councils with local delivery partners.
There is an eligibility criteria which includes owning or privately renting your home, heating type, income, receipt of certain income and/or disability benefits.
Please contact us for more information and to find out if we are working in your area with this funding type.
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