How Do I Know If I’m Eligible For The ECO4 Grant?

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme is funded by obligated energy companies and aims to:

• Reduce carbon emissions
• Lower energy bills
• And improve the comfort of selected households

Those who qualify for assistance from the ECO4 grant can receive a completely new heating system, as well as other benefits.

However, the ECO4 scheme is scheduled to wrap up on 31 March 2026.

For those looking for assistance, time is running out. Let’s first define what the ECO4 grant is.

What Is ECO4?

The ECO4 scheme is a UK government-backed initiative overseen by Ofgem.

It requires major energy suppliers to assist low-income and vulnerable households in upgrading their homes with energy-saving improvements.

The programme focuses on tackling three key national challenges:

• Reducing fuel poverty
• Cutting carbon emissions
• Improving the energy efficiency of UK homes

How Does It Work?

ECO4 helps eligible households by funding essential energy upgrades such as:

• Insulation (loft, wall, floor)
• Heating system replacements or improvements
• Renewable energy installations like solar panels

These measures are designed to lower energy bills and make homes warmer, safer, and more efficient.

Ofgem summarises the programme’s mission well:

“The ECO scheme supports energy efficiency measures in the homes of those considered to be in fuel poverty.”

What Is Fuel Poverty?

According to National Energy Action (NEA), around 6.1 million UK households were living in fuel poverty as of April 2025.

A household is considered to be in fuel poverty when:

• The property has a low energy efficiency rating (typically EPC band D or below), and
• After covering energy costs, the household’s remaining income falls below the official poverty line

Fuel poverty is often the result of three combined factors:

• Low household income
• High energy bills
• Poor insulation or outdated heating systems

Why ECO4 Matters

Fuel poverty can have serious health consequences, especially for:

• Older adults
• Families with young children
• Individuals with long-term illnesses or disabilities

Living in a cold or damp home increases the risk of respiratory illnesses, cardiovascular problems, and mental health challenges.

ECO4 directly addresses these risks by targeting support where it’s needed most, helping people live in warmer, healthier homes.

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Am I Eligible for ECO4?

To qualify for ECO4 funding, your household must meet specific criteria, usually related to income, benefits received, and your home’s EPC rating.

Let’s explore in more depth what the eligibility factors are to qualify for an ECO4 grant.

What Criteria Need To Be Met To Qualify For An ECO4 Grant

Several criteria must be met to qualify for an ECO4 grant.

To determine if you’re eligible for assistance, here are the specific requirements that you need to meet:

What’s Your Home’s Energy Performance Certificate Rating?

To qualify for ECO4, your home must have a low energy efficiency rating, specifically, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.

The EPC is a government-issued document that assesses the energy efficiency of a property, using a scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), and is valid for a period of 10 years.

If you have lost records of your home’s current EPC rating, you can look it up on GOV.UK.

Your EPC rating considers factors such as insulation, heating systems, glazing, and overall energy consumption.

Homes with lower EPC ratings typically:

• Lose heat quickly (due to poor insulation or outdated windows)
• Rely on inefficient or old heating systems

They cost more to keep warm.

By targeting these homes, ECO4 ensures that funding is directed toward properties where energy-saving upgrades will have the most significant impact, thereby reducing energy bills, improving comfort, and lowering carbon emissions.

If your home doesn’t currently have an EPC, you’ll need to get one assessed by a qualified energy assessor before applying for the ECO4 scheme.

What’s Your Household’s Financial Status?

To qualify for the ECO4 grant, either you or someone living in your household must be receiving at least one eligible income-related benefit.

This ensures that the scheme targets support at households most in need, or those likely to struggle with high energy costs and low incomes.

Below is a list of the qualifying benefits:

Income-Based Benefits That Qualify:

• Universal Credit (UC) Often awarded to people on a low income or out of work.
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) For those actively seeking employment and with limited savings.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) For people who are unable to work due to illness or disability.
• Income Support (IS) For those on a low income who are not required to seek employment, such as carers or lone parents.

Tax Credits:

• Child Tax Credit (CTC) For families with children, based on household income.
• Working Tax Credit (WTC) For working individuals or couples earning below a certain income threshold.

Pension-Related Benefits:

• Pension Credit – Guarantee Credit Tops up income for people over State Pension age who have a low income.
• Pension Credit – Savings Credit For people who have modest savings or income in retirement.

Housing Support:

• Housing Benefit Helps low-income households pay rent. Even if you receive a small amount, it still qualifies.

Child Benefit (with income limits):

You may be eligible under ECO4 if you receive Child Benefit, but maximum income thresholds are depending on your household structure.

These caps vary based on:

• Whether you’re a single parent or part of a couple
• How many children are you claiming for

If your income exceeds these limits, you may not qualify under this benefit alone.

Other qualifying support is if your home qualifies for an annual discount via the Warm Home Discount rebate .

It’s important to note that you only need to receive one of the above benefits to be considered eligible.

Eligibility also applies if anyone in the household gets one of these benefits, not just the homeowner.

If you’re not on any of these benefits, you may still qualify through the ECO4 Flex route based on income or health conditions, subject to local council approval.

Maybe You Can Apply Via The ECO4 Flex Route?

If you don’t receive the listed benefits, you may still qualify under Local Authority “Flex”:

• Household income typically must be under £31,000 per year
• Home must still have an EPC rated D–G
• Your local council must nominate you under this scheme

In some cases, having a health condition worsened by cold homes, even without qualifying benefits, can make you eligible for specific measures under ECO4.

To check if you are eligible, you can take the following steps:

The following table:

Now that you understand the eligibility factors, here’s how to confirm and apply for the ECO4 grant.

How To Confirm And Apply For ECO4 Grant?

It might come as a relief, but applying for the ECO4 scheme is easier than you’d think.

Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Check your home’s EPC rating.
   If you don’t have your EPC rating on hand, look it up on the official EPC register.
   If you are currently renting, your landlord should be able to provide you with this information.
2. Make sure you have proof of receiving a qualifying benefit.
   It might take a moment, but you will want to review the most recent letters or statements related to the benefit you’re claiming.
3. If you’re not receiving a benefit, reach out to the local council to apply for ECO4 Flex.
4. Find a trusted installer or energy provider. You’ll need to apply through a registered ECO4 provider.
   Only installers with a PAS 2030 certificate can help and are all listed on TrustMark.

These contractors need to apply to Ofgem and a major energy supplier like:

• British Gas
• EDF
• E.ON
• Octopus Energy
• OVO
• Scottish Power

Or you can use trusted partners like Interglow, EcoGiants, or BTS Grants, who specialise in ECO4 applications and installations.

As mentioned, to receive an ECO4 scheme grant, you must apply through a TrustMark-certified installer.

While WarmZilla doesn’t process ECO4 applications directly, they can help connect you to an approved installer.

However, we do offer clients extensive finance options and installation within 48 hours anywhere in the UK.