ECO4 scheme eligibility
ECO4 pays for insulation and heating in the least efficient homes. Four questions will tell you whether it is worth approaching an installer.
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income based JSA or ESA, tax credits, Housing Benefit and similar.
Councils can refer low income households that are not on benefits.
Checking the scheme rules…
The two routes in
Benefits. The main route. Someone in the household receives a qualifying means tested benefit — Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income based JSA or ESA, tax credits, Housing Benefit and similar — and the property is rated band D to G.
Flexible eligibility. Councils and energy suppliers can refer low income households that are not on benefits. The rules are set locally, published in each council’s statement of intent, and they vary a great deal between areas.
Either way the property has to be in the right band, which is why it is worth checking the certificate before you apply. For what the scheme actually pays for, see the ECO4 grant page.
Common questions
Does ECO4 cover the whole cost?
For qualifying owner occupiers, often yes. Landlords and some whole-house packages require a contribution.
Can I apply directly to the scheme?
No. There is no central application. You approach a TrustMark registered installer, who claims the funding from an obligated energy supplier.
What happens after ECO4 closes?
ECO4 runs to 31 December 2026 and there is no ECO5. The Warm Homes Plan replaces it from 2027.
Will this affect my EPC?
Only once a new assessment is lodged after the work. Most packages include one — confirm it before the installer leaves.