Free boiler grants for disabled people: ESA and PIP explained

Income-related or contribution-based?

This matters. ECO4 lists income-related ESA as a qualifying benefit. Contribution-based (or "new style") ESA on its own is not on the list.

• Your award letter says which type you get. Many people receive both.
• If you get contribution-based ESA only, you may still qualify another way: through another benefit in the household such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, or through your council's ECO4 Flex route if your household income is under £31,000 or someone at home has a health condition made worse by the cold. Tell us your situation and we will check every route.

The other conditions

• EPC rating D, E, F or G for homeowners, E, F or G for private renters. We check it for you.
• You own the home, or rent privately with your landlord's written consent (we provide the form).

What the grant can cover

• Boiler replacement where the existing boiler is old and inefficient.
• First-time central heating where there is none.
• Loft and cavity wall insulation where the home has little or none.

Because the scheme must bring D and E homes to band C and F and G homes to band D, insulation and heating are often done together.

Cost

For most eligible households the work is fully funded and nothing is repaid. Energy companies set funding levels for each home, and occasionally a contribution is requested. If that would apply to you, we say so before any survey is booked.

How it works

1. Complete the two-minute check, starting with your postcode.
2. An adviser calls to confirm your details and book a free survey.
3. Survey, approval, then installation by certified installers, usually one to two days on site. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks from enquiry to installation.