Financial assistance explained

Are you eligible for financial assistance to make energy saving improvements to your home?

Whether you’re a homeowner, tenant or landlord, you might be entitled to financial help to make your home greener. The Government, energy suppliers and local authorities all provide grants.

• The Government
• Warmfront eligibility criteria
• Energy suppliers
• Local authorities
• Find out about energy saving and renewable grants

The Government

The government’s Warm Front programme provides grants for those in fuel poverty to install energy efficiency measures in their homes. The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on certain benefits to improve their heating and energy efficiency; please note that grant levels vary. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front.

Warmfront eligibility criteria

If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord and if:

• you are 60 years or older and are in receipt of one or more benefits. Benefits include: income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, job seekers allowance and pension credit or;

• you have a child under 16 or you are pregnant and have been given maternity MAT B1 and are also in receipt of benefits such as income support, council tax benefit etc. or;

• you are in receipt of one or more benefits such as disability living allowance, child tax credit with an income of less than £15,460, housing benefit and disability living allowance etc.

...then you could be entitled to a Warmfront grant. Please note that grants levels vary.

Energy suppliers

The Government’s Energy Efficiency Commitment ensures that leading energy suppliers offer energy saving products and services to their customers at significantly reduced costs. What’s more, you can take up offers from any of the energy companies, regardless of who supplies your gas and electricity.

After April 2008, EEC becomes the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target and doubles in size – so look out for new offers form your supplier.

Local authorities

As well as national initiatives, there are several local offers, some targeted specifically at those on income-related benefits, registered disabled and over 60.

These include Bexley’s Coldbusters grants for those on income-related benefits; Hammersmith and Fulham’s Energy Action Partnership; Islington’s Safe and Warm scheme; Camden’s WISH scheme; and London Energy Partnership’s pilots on sustainable energy technologies and energy efficiency improvements in four Energy Action Areas.

Find out about energy saving and renewable grants

Find out what grants and financial incentives are available to you in your area with the Grants Information Database.

Developed by the Energy Saving Trust, the database has up to date information on the grants and offers available to you based on your circumstances, the type of home you live in and your post code.

Access the Grants Information Database.

A Guide to Grants is also free to download at: www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/guidetogrants. This guide has been created to help UK householders save energy and emphasise the fact that you don’t have to be on a low income to get a grant, advice or information.