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Yes, if you are on pension credit, you can get help with a new boiler. As a Pensioner, whether you are a homeowner or private tenant, you get a free boiler installed under energy efficiency grants. However, if you do not receive pension credit, you may still qualify for free boiler upgradation under the ECO4 scheme.
Under the ECO4 scheme, pensioners can qualify for various energy efficiency measures along with free boiler installation, if they are on any of these benefits:
- Pension Credit Guarantee
- Attendance Allowance
- Pension Credit Savings or other supplementary benefits
There are certain eligibility criteria that one needs to meet before he/she can avail of a new boiler grant. However, the eligibility criteria can be softened in certain circumstances on contacting local authorities under ECO4 flex.
Eligibility Criteria for Boiler Assistance
As long as you meet the eligibility criteria, you can get the whole-house energy efficiency measures which also include a free boiler. But if you need a new boiler only, that’s your choice:
- You had an energy-inefficient boiler installed before 2005.
- Property’s Energy Performance Certificate rating D, E, F, or G
- If you are a single pensioner, your annual income has to be lower than £19,800 to be eligible.
- If you are a couple, the combined income threshold is set to be not higher than £27,300.
- At least one person in the house must meet the qualifying age for pension credit which is currently 66 (if born after April 1960)
- You should be a homeowner to be eligible, if you are a private tenant, you may still apply after permission from the landlord.
- Your property should have a gas metre installed before April 2022.
- If you do not receive pension credit, you may still be eligible if you receive Universal Credit (UC) or Working Tax Credit (WTC).
In some scenarios, you may still avail help with the boiler if you have an energy-efficient boiler installed but it’s broken and needs costly repairs. You can contact local authorities for such exceptions.
Get Free Boiler under ECO4 Scheme
For the application process, enter your postcode in the search box provided at the top of this page named “Free Eligibility Checker.” Through this process, you will be able to confirm your eligibility. After the qualification is confirmed, you will fill in the contact form provided at the end of the eligibility check. Once you fill out the details, a friendly person from customer service will contact you.
We will walk you through the process and once approved, we will assign a safe gas-registered engineer to install the boiler. However, if you feel any difficulty in applying for these grants, you can ask a family member or friend to apply on your behalf.
If you are accommodating a privately rented property, you will require the landlord’s permission.
Documents to Have While Applying for Free Boiler
Once you are applying for a free boiler grant, the following are the documents you need to have by your side.:
- Pension Credit or Working Tax Credit paperwork (in case of any other benefit recipient, paperwork of that benefit.)
- Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Details of existing Boiler (model, make, non-condensing, installed before 2005)
- Landlords’ permission document or contact information if you are a private renter.
Having these documents in hand will make the application process smooth and trouble-free for you.
Check Eligibilty For ECO4 Scheme
Get Free Heating System Installed Today at your Property Under ECO4!
Alternatives for Non-Eligible Pension Credit Holders
Even if you do not receive pension credit, you may still get the hold of ECO4 grants if you receive any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Income Based – Jobseekers Allowance (JSA)
- Income Related – Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support Allowance (ISA)
- Child tax credit (CTC)
The local councils can also refer individuals with low-income and low-energy-efficiency heating systems. They can also prefer individuals based on their age, disability, health issues or vulnerability. Because ECO4 is designed to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions, local authorities under ECO4 flex can recommend a household for energy efficiency upgrades, even if they don’t meet the eligibility criteria. Being vulnerable, low-income households are the necessary criteria.
Can Pension Credit Recipients Get Other Energy-Related Benefits?
Yes, the pension credit recipients can get other energy-related benefits while receiving the ECO4 grants. Those benefits may include:
- Winter Fuel Payment: This is an annual funding to fulfil the heating costs. This funding can be between £250 to £600.
- Warm Homes Discount: this is a one-off payment of £150 to help with heating costs. Individuals receiving the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or any other qualifying benefits can apply.
- Cold Weather Payment: these are additional payments for pensioners or another qualifying benefit recipient.
While receiving the ECO4 grants, you can not receive the energy efficiency measure grants. Any other assistance is not affected by it at all.
How Long Does the Process Take?
This is usually a quick process but it depends on individual circumstances. Typically, reliable and safe gas-approved engineers visit the property for eligibility assessment and evaluate your current heating system and household requirements.
Once the grant gets approved, the installation can be scheduled for a few weeks. While the process duration varies per individual circumstances, the process takes around 4-8 weeks to have energy efficiency measures installed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, pensioners and aged individuals are preferred while assessing the eligibility of getting a new boiler installed. If you have health issues or any sort of disability, you might be one step closer to qualifying for these grants. Besides receiving pension credit, if you also receive other government benefits or receive none at all, you can still qualify for ECO4 flex through local authority councils.
In this article, we have provided the eligibility criteria, application process, documents required, and alternatives for pension recipients and those who do not qualify for these grants directly. As the process takes up to 4 to 8 weeks for the boiler to be installed, you should act promptly and contact ECO Energy Services Today.
