Who is eligible for ECO4 scheme?
The energy efficiency measures available through ECO4 scheme consultation are given via eligibility criteria. If you are on qualifying benefits, and you’re a homeowner or a private tenant, you are likely to be eligible for support from energy suppliers via this scheme from April 2022.
If you’re a landlord and your tenant claims benefits, you may encourage them to apply for the grant, thus improving your property energy efficiency for years to come by installing electric storage heaters or fulfilling insulation grants such as free cavity wall insulation or loft insulation grant.
If you’re not on benefits, but your home is still energy inefficient, you might be eligible for the scheme through flexible eligibility (LAFlex) program that some councils participate in.
What benefits qualify for ECO4?
The minimum requirement benefits that qualify for the ECO4 fund are different to those of the past. This is an attempt to fulfil the carbon saving obligation of energy suppliers by providing support and grants to low income and vulnerable homes through energy efficiency installers.
Included in the Company Obligation ECO 4 2002 are:
ECO 4 scheme qualifying benefits
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Child Benefits – depends on income threshold* (see thresholds)
- Income based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Warm Home Discount Scheme Rebate
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
Newly added with ECO4’s roll out are
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit Saving Credit
ECO4 is available to:
- Homeowners or Private Tenants
- Individuals who get income-related benefits
- Properties with inefficient electric heating
What benefits no longer meet the eligibility criteria?
Benefits (mostly disability benefits) no longer included in the energy company obligation ECO 4 criteria after being eligible under ECO3 include:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- War Pensions Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
*Child Benefit income threshold to qualify to receive ECO 4 fund.
| Number of children | Single claimant | Member of a couple |
| 1 | £19,900 | £27,500 |
| 2 | £24,800 | £32,300 |
| 3 | £29,600 | £37,200 |
| 4 + | £34,500 | £42,000 |
