ECO4 Scheme: Who Qualifies, What It Covers and How to Apply

Who can qualify for ECO4?

There are two main routes. You only need one of them.

Route 1: you receive a qualifying benefit. These include Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Housing Benefit. Other benefits may count too, so tell us what you receive and we will check.

Route 2: your council refers you through LA Flex. This is for households that do not receive these benefits but still struggle with the cost of heating. See the LA Flex section below.

Which homes qualify?

• Homeowners: homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F or G can qualify.
• Private tenants: homes rated E, F or G can qualify, and you need your landlord’s permission.
• Private rented homes must also receive at least one larger upgrade, such as solid wall insulation, first time central heating or a renewable heating system.
• Homes rated A, B or C are not eligible.

Not sure of your EPC rating? Our EPC checker page shows you how to find it. Not every home has a certificate, and if yours has expired you can get a new one.

What can ECO4 pay for?

ECO4 can fund energy-saving upgrades such as insulation and heating improvements. Which upgrades suit your home is decided by a retrofit assessment, which is a survey of what your home needs. The energy supplier decides which measures to fund and how much of the cost they cover. You may be asked to contribute towards the cost, so we will show you the numbers in your quote before you commit.

LA Flex: no benefits? You may still qualify

LA Flex, also called ECO4 Flex, lets a local council refer households that would not qualify under the standard benefit rules. It is for private households that the council considers to be living on a low income or in fuel poverty, and that are at risk from living in a cold home.

In practice, a household can usually qualify through LA Flex in one of two ways:

• Your combined gross annual household income is under £31,000.
• Someone in your home has a severe or long-term health condition that is made worse by a cold home. Ofgem lists cardiovascular conditions, respiratory disease, limited mobility and a weakened immune system.

Your council decides who qualifies, not Gap Project. A council must first publish a document called a Statement of Intent to take part, so LA Flex is not available in every area. Some councils allow you to refer yourself. Tell us your postcode and we will tell you what applies where you live.

Before you agree to any work

• Do not agree to any work until you have a written contract.
• ECO4 work must be carried out by an installer registered with TrustMark, or an equivalent scheme.
• ECO4 funding cannot be combined with schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme for the same job.
• Being eligible does not guarantee that work will go ahead.

How we help

• You press "Check if I qualify" and tell us a few details about your home.
• We check your eligibility and your EPC rating.
• We arrange a free home survey, so the right upgrades are chosen for your home.
• If you qualify, we explain what is funded and what, if anything, you would pay. If you do not, we give you a clear quote.

ECO4 closes on 31 December 2026

ECO4 is due to close at the end of 2026, so it is worth asking early if you think you may qualify. Other support may become available as ECO4 ends. We keep this page up to date, and we will tell you what is on offer when you get in touch.