In this guide
2. Eligibility
You could be eligible for free home energy efficiency improvements if you meet all 3 conditions below:
- you own or privately rent your home (not local authority or housing association)
- you receive a means tested benefit or you live in a low-income household
- your home has an EPC rating of 54 (E) or less; or an EPC rating of 68 (D) or less where you or a household member have an eligible health condition
You own or privately rent your home
If you own your home, you will need to provide one of the following as evidence.
- mortgage statement
- buildings insurance policy
- property deeds
If you privately rent your home, you will need to provide your landlords details so that we can request permission for any work.
Local authority or housing association tenants are not eligible. Contact your local authority or housing association to discuss energy efficiency in your home.
You receive a means tested benefit or you live in a low-income household
Means tested benefit
The means tested benefits that qualify are:
- Child Tax Credit and individual income below £18,660 a year
- Council Tax Reduction related to income
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit and individual income below £18,660 a year
You will need to provide evidence that you receive a means tested benefit such as a benefit award letter or Council Tax statement.
Low-income household
A household with an income lower than 60% of the median UK average is classed as lower income for this scheme. We will not count any disability related payments or benefits as income.
Your threshold will depend on the age and number of people in your household. Examples are provided in tables 1 to 3. These are based on total household income after mortgage or rental payments.
Table 1: income thresholds for an adult couple with or without children
| Household type | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple with no children | £373 | £1,615 | £19,383 |
| Couple with one child under 14 | £447 | £1,938
| £23,259 |
| Couple with one child 14 years or over | £496 | £2,148 | £25,779 |
| Couple with two children under 14 years | £522 | £2,261 | £27,136 |
| Couple with two children 14 years or over | £619 | £2,681 | £32,176 |
Table 2: income thresholds for single adult with or without children
| Household type | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single adult householder with no children | £250 | £1,082 | £12,987 |
| One adult with one child under 14 | £324 | £1,405 | £16,863 |
| One adult with one child 14 years or over | £373 | £1,615 | £19,383 |
| One adult with two children under 14 years | £399 | £1,728 | £20,740 |
| One adult with two children 14 years or over | £496 | £2,148 | £25,779 |
Table 3: income thresholds for adults receiving the state pension
| Household type | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single pensioner | £250 | £1,082 | £12,987 |
| Pensioner couple | £373 | £1,615 | £19,383 |
If your household is not described in these tables, please give our advisors a call on 0808 808 2244 (Monday to Friday from 9am to 6pm).
EPC rating and health conditions
Your home must have an EPC rating of 54 (E) or less, unless you or a household member have an eligible chronic health condition.
When you or a household member have an eligible chronic health condition your home must have an EPC rating of 68 (D) or less. Eligible chronic health conditions include:
- respiratory disease (respiratory infections, broncho-constriction in asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- circulatory disease (including cardio-vascular disease, strokes and heart attacks)
- mental health (including depression, anxiety, psychosis and bipolar disorders)
- dementia
- intellectual and development disorders
You must provide evidence of your health condition such as:
- a prescription
- medication package
- treatment plan
- GP or hospital appointment or referral letter
Check your EPC rating on GOV.UK or contact us and we’ll help you. When you provide your address, we will check to confirm you are eligible.