Energy grants and support
Contents
ECO4 Flex energy efficiency scheme
ECO4 Flex is a government scheme, funded by energy companies, that supports households on a low income or those particularly vulnerable to the impacts of living in a cold home.
Funding is available for things that can improve the energy efficiency of your home, like insulation and heating systems.
Process
An installer will need to visit your property to make an assessment. You will complete a declaration form to show that you are eligible and provide supporting evidence.
The installer send their recommendations to the energy company, who will make a final decision on what work will be carried out.
Eligibility
If you live in a private home (rented or owned) with an EPC rating of D or below and have a combined household income of £31,000 or less, then you are likely to be eligible for this scheme.
Even if you don’t meet these criteria, but are living in a private home with a low energy efficiency rating, you may still be eligible for funding if:
- you or a member of your household has a medical condition that makes you more vulnerable to cold
- you are over 65 or a member of your family is under the age of 5 or over 65
- a member of your household is in receipt of Council Tax Support
- a member of your household is in receipt of free school meals, due to low income
- you have been referred to the scheme by the council or by Citizen's Advice after being identified as struggling to pay your utility bills.
Local Authority names: West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and North Northamptonshire Council (NNC)
Publication Date: 23 September 2024
Version number: 6.0
This statement sets out West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council’s, flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 to March 2026.
The ECO4 scheme will focus on supporting low income and vulnerable households. The scheme will improve the least energy efficient homes helping to meet the government’s fuel poverty and net zero commitments.
The flexible approach for Local Authorities (LAs) to identifying fuel poor and vulnerable households who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures is referred to as “ECO4 Flex”.
The council welcomes the introduction of the ECO4 Flex eligibility routes as it helps the council achieve its plans to improve the homes of those in fuel poverty or vulnerable to the cold.
The council is publishing this Statement of Intent (SoI), on the 23 September 2024 to confirm that each of the households declared will adhere to at least one of the four available routes outlined below:
Route 1: SAP bands D to G households with an income less than £31,000. This cap applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region.
Route 2: SAP bands E to G households that meet a combination of two of the following proxies:
| Proxy 1 | Homes in England in Lower-layer Super Output Area 1-3 (LSOA). |
|---|---|
| Proxy 2 | Householders receiving a council tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates). |
| Proxy 3 | Householders vulnerable to living in a cold home as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance. Only one from the list can be used, excludes the proxy ‘low income’. |
| Proxy 4 | A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income. |
| Proxy 6 | A household referred to the LA for support by their energy supplier or citizen's because they have been identified as struggling to pay their electricity and gas bills. |
* Note proxies 1 and 3 cannot be used together.
Route 3: SAP bands D to G households that have been identified by their doctor or GP as low-income and vulnerable, with an occupant whose health conditions may be impacted further by living in a cold home. These health conditions may be cardiovascular, respiratory, immunosuppressed, or limited mobility related.
This is because the council has identified a positive correlation between households who suffer from long-term health conditions and living off a low-income, with living in poorly insulated homes.
Declaration and evidence check confirmation
All potentially eligible households should apply through Better Housing Better Health on 0800 107 0044 to ensure that they can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any other relevant programme.
Any supplier or installer who seeks a council declaration on behalf of an eligible resident will first need to be registered with the ‘NEF Supplier Network’. The network ensures that councils have information about the standards, practices and accreditations of installers working in their area reducing the risk of fraud, poor quality installations and the exploitation of vulnerable residents that the council is looking to assist via ECO Flexible Eligibility. For further information about the network and guidance on how to register, suppliers should contact [email protected]
The officer(s) below will be responsible for checking and verifying declarations and associated evidence submitted on behalf of the local authority:
Name: WNC Sustainability Team
Job Title: Sustainability Team
Telephone: 0300 126 7000
Email: [email protected]
Name: NNC Private Sector Housing Team
Job Title: Energy Officer
Telephone: 0300 126 3000
Email: [email protected]
CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature.
West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council will administer the scheme according to BEIS’ ECO4 Order and will identify eligible households via Ofgem’s application process. The CEO of the council will oversee the process of identifying eligible households under ECO4 Flex. The eligibility information will be stored securely in line with the council’s data protection policy, Information Commissioner’s Office Data Sharing Code, and BEIS guidance.
Signature: Iain Smith
Name: Iain Smith
Job Title: Assistant Director - Regulatory Services (North Northamptonshire Council)
Date of signature: 19 September 2024
Email: [email protected]
Signature: Rebecca Purnell
Name: Rebecca Purnell
Job Title: Assistant Chief Executive (West Northamptonshire Council)
Date of signature: 19 September 2024
Email: [email protected]
Apply
Apply through Better Housing Better Health (BHBH) who will check your eligibility.
BHBH are also available on 0800 107 0044.
Installers
If you are an installer and want to work with us, please email The National Energy Foundation at [email protected], who manage the installer network on our behalf.
Last updated 07 October 2024