0333 444 1062People residing within the borough of Flintshire can now take advantage of free upgrades to their insulation, heating and renewable systems within their homes that will save them energy and subsequently reduce energy bills. This blog sets out Flintshire Councils flexible eligibility criteria for ECO4 as well as the required criteria for the ECO4 Scheme from April 2022 – March 2026.
In order to be eligible there are certain requirements you must meet. This blog talks you through the eligibility constraints to see if you can access these grants.
What schemes are available to me?
Flintshire Council residents can access a range of energy efficient services for home improvements via the ECO4 scheme. These grants are typically aimed at low income, fuel poor and vulnerable households or people who are in receipt of one of the eligible benefits who have struggling with inefficient heating within their homes. The grants available are:
- Air Source Heat Pump
- Internal Wall Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Room In Roof Insulation
- Electric Storage Heaters
- Dual Measures/ Stand Alone Boilers
- Gas Boilers (Natural Gas and LPG)
- Solar PV
Accessing a grant is a great opportunity no matter what type of resident you may be: owned home, landlord or rented accommodation.
The ECO scheme is an energy efficiency programme backed by the UK Government. It requires all energy suppliers of a certain size to provide funding for home insulation and heating measures on some of the least energy efficient homes. The aim is to reduce fuel poverty within the UK by making homes more affordable to heat.
What properties are eligible for grants?
Grants are available for most property types within the Flintshire Council area including houses, flats, and bungalows, but the type of property can determine which grants are available.
For example, cavity wall insulation isn’t usually available in flats unless the whole building is insulated. The property needs to have its own land registry entry to be eligible. Unfortunately, the scheme excludes social housing and council properties.
Who is eligible for these grants in Flintshire?
The quickest and easiest way to be eligible for one of these generous grants is through receiving one of the following benefits:
- Working Tax Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Housing Benefit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
- Income Support
- Income Related Employment & Support Allowance
- Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance
- Child Tax Credits
- Child Benefits (subsequent to earnings)
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
You don’t need to currently be claiming the benefit, but you must have received the benefit within the last 18 months of the installation.
What if I don’t receive benefits, can I still access these grants?
The Local Authority or LA Flex Scheme is the ideal solution for households who want to access these grants but don’t currently receive benefits. The flexible approach to identifying fuel poor and vulnerable households who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures is referred to as “ECO4 Flex”.
Flintshire council states “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”.
Flintshire Council published their statement of intent earlier this year which outlines the four routes in which people can access these grants without being in receipt of benefits, which are outlined below:
*The following information is taken from Flintshire Council ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent
Route 1: SAP bands D-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-G households that meet a combination of two of the following proxies:
Proxy 1: Homes in Welsh provision LSOA 1-3 on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019.
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 the3 National Institute of 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 5: A householder supported by Flintshire Council Run Scheme, that has been named and described by the Council as supporting low income and vulnerable households for the purpose of NICE guideline.
Proxy 6: A household referred to the Council for the support by their energy supplier or Citizen’s Advice, because they have been identified as struggling to pay their electricity and gas bills. (Currently under review)
*Note proxies 1 and 3, or 1 and 5 cannot be used together
Route 3: SAP bands D-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. For this referral route, detailed written evidence from a licenced medical provider is required for proof of eligibility.
This is the 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.
Route 4: SAP and D-G households that are referred under Route 4: Bespoke Targeting. Flintshire Council can submit an application to BEIS where they have identified a low income and vulnerable household, who are not already eligible under the existing routes.
Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (full Index update with ranks): 2019 | GOV.WALES
Declaration and evidence check confirmation.
All potentially eligible households should apply through one of their approved ECO installers to ensure that they can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any relevant programme. The officer below will be responsible for checking and verifying declarations and associated evidence submitted on behalf of the local authority:
Name: Joseph Muxlow
Job Title: Housing Regeneration Manager
Telephone: 01352 703426
Email: joseph.muxlow@flintshire.gov.uk
We know all of this can seem a little daunting so if you are confused or unsure of whether you qualify for the ECO4 Flex routes to access the grants, please get in touch with us via email, phone or submit an enquiry form on our website and a member of the team will be happy to help.
Eco Home Insulation are fully qualified to PAS 2030 standards and gas safe registered, promising not only a high standard of work across all measures, but also compliance with British building standards.
We work closely with numerous County Councils across the Country and have worked alongside Flintshire Council for several years.
Working under [the Government backed] Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme, Eco Home Insulation aims to provide homeowners, landlords and tenants with FREE insulation & heating measures. We promote measures which help low income, vulnerable and fuel poor households across Britain. For more information on the ECO scheme visit https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/energy-company-obligation-eco
For information on how we can help, contact us on:
Tel: 0333 444 1062
Email: info@ecohomeinsulation.co.uk
Web: www.ecohomeinsulation.co.uk