ECO4 scheme starts with changes to benefit eligibility

The fourth phase of the Energy Company Obligation, known as ECO4, is due to start on 1 April 2022, according to Entitledto, an independent benefits information service¹. Under the changes, households that include someone claiming a disability benefit will no longer automatically meet the eligibility rules for heating grants¹.

Entitledto states that the government was consulting on changes to the eligibility criteria for ECO4 at the time of publication¹. It reports that after April 2022, claimants will need to be in receipt of another benefit to qualify¹.

The disability benefits being removed from automatic eligibility in April 2022 are¹:

The benefits that remain eligible for the ECO scheme from April 2022 are¹:

Entitledto also states that households qualify if they claim Child Benefit and have an income below a threshold, with the amount varying according to the number of children¹.

To receive an ECO grant, a registered installer must survey the home to check that all necessary criteria are met, double checking which benefits are received and confirming whether the applicant is a private tenant or owns their own home¹. Applicants will also be asked about energy efficiency in the home and possibly for details about their Energy Performance Certificate¹.

Why it matters for households

From 1 April 2022, households where the only qualifying benefit is one of the nine disability benefits listed above will no longer meet the automatic eligibility rules for ECO4 heating grants¹. This affects people claiming Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment and the other benefits removed from the list, unless they also receive one of the benefits that remain eligible, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or Housing Benefit¹. Households claiming Child Benefit with an income below a threshold continue to qualify, with the threshold depending on the number of children¹. Entitledto notes that readers affected by the change are shown its page because of the information they have entered¹.

What happens next

The government was consulting on changes to the eligibility criteria for ECO4 at the time the information was published¹. ECO4 is due to start on 1 April 2022¹. Further details of the outcome of that consultation have not been reported in the information available. Households can read more about benefits and how they interact with heating grant eligibility.