Boiler Grant Qualification

    What Benefits Do I Need To Be On To Get A Free Boiler?

    Under the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) scheme, you may be entitled to a free boiler. But to benefit from this free government service, you need to meet certain criteria.

    We explain how you can qualify, and how to get your free boiler with minimum fuss.

    Who can Claim a Free Boiler?

    Energy companies in the UK are obligated to provide free replacements of your boiler under the ECO scheme. The government undertook this initiative to reduce the UK’s carbon footprint by 1.8 million tonnes by 2022.

    In order to qualify for a free boiler you must fulfill the following criteria:

    • Own a home.
    • Have your landlord’s permission to install a boiler.
    • Your current boiler must be at least 5 years old.
    • Your home must be connected to the gas grid (oil or LPG boilers are not eligible for free replacement).
    • Be a recipient of one or more government benefits (see next section).

    The ECO scheme was rolled out in phases. The current phase, ECO3, started in 2018 and will run up till March 2022. Replacing your old boiler will help you save on your energy bills and gives you a chance to protect the environment.

    Which Benefits Qualify for a Free Boiler?

    A low income household can especially benefit from the ECO scheme. The current incarnation of the scheme includes a broad variety of benefits which means more people can benefit.

    You qualify for a free boiler if you receive at least one of the following government benefits:

    • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit Element.
    • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
    • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
    • Income Support.
    • Working Tax Credits.
    • Child Tax Credits
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP).
    • Attendance Allowance.
    • Carer’s Allowance.
    • Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
    • Severe Disablement Allowance.
    • War Pensions Mobility Supplement.
    • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefits.
    • Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
    • Constant Attendance Allowance.
    • Child Benefits.

    Recipients of certain government benefits are expected to bear a part of the cost of replacing a boiler. These include child tax credits, working tax credits, and universal credits. This is because funding for the scheme is limited hence some of the cost is transferred to the benefactors.

    In a case where you enjoy one of the above-mentioned government benefits, you would be asked to share the cost. To get your boiler replaced and installed completely free of cost, you are subject to certain income thresholds.

    Qualifiers under Various Benefits

    Child Benefit

    If you’re a recipient of child benefits, you would need to fall under the following income thresholds to qualify:

    • Single Claimant Income:
      • One child: £18,500.
      • Two children: £23,000.
      • Three children: £27,500.
      • Four or more children: £32,000.
    • Couple Claimant Income
      • One child: £25,500.
      • Two children: £30,000.
      • Three children: £34,500.
      • Four or more children: £39,000.

    Income-related Allowances

    As a recipient of either the Income-related ESA or JSA, you must also receive at least one of the benefits and meet all criteria mentioned below:

    • Disability Living Allowance.
    • Pension Premium.
    • Employment Support.
    • Child under 16 years.
    • Child under 20 years (not in higher education).

    Working Tax Credits

    You qualify if your annual household income is less than  £16,010. Moreover, you need to meet the following:

    • Over 60 years old.
    • Child under 16 years.
    • Child under 20 years (not in higher education).
    • Disabled Worker Allowance.
    • Severe Disability Benefit.

    Universal Credit

    If your monthly income has been less than £1,250 over the past 12 months, you qualify under Universal Credit. You also need to meet the following criteria:

    • Child under 16 years.
    • Child under 20 years (not in higher education).
    • Disability Living Allowance.
    • Personal Independent Payment.
    • Limited ability to work.

    Any person(s) receiving Pension Credits or Child Tax Credits with a yearly household income of £16,010 will automatically qualify for a free boiler.

    How Do I Get a Free Boiler when on Benefits?

    If you find yourself meeting the eligibility criteria, getting your new boiler is a breeze. Usually applying for a boiler grant can be a time consuming and confusing affair. But with us, it’ll take just a few clicks.

    Start by entering your postcode and filling our contact form. Once we have your form, we’ll call you in less than 24 hours to assess your eligibility and conduct a technical survey.

    Once we’ve ensured that you qualify, you will have your boiler installed in less than 7 days. Now you have a more energy efficient home, and you get to save tons of money on energy bills.