Free grants for low income families
Did you know that there are grants for low income families available through UK Energy Support for heating upgrades?
Here at UKES, we want to ensure that anyone eligible for grants for low income families can apply easily.
Our short application process has been created to make this process as easy as possible.
Read on to learn more about what grants are available through the ECO4 scheme that allows us to install electric storage heaters and insulation free of charge, and provide variety of energy efficiency grants for low-income families such as hardship grants for single mothers.
Low income family Grants Applications are now open for: April 2024
How do I apply for free grants for low income families?
Thanks to the low income grants on offer through the government scheme of ECO, we can provide assistance to anyone who needs it and meets qualifying criteria for improving the energy efficiency of their home. The UK Gov-backed ECO grant was also created for people like you, to help with gas and electric bills.
The three steps to get this low-income grant are:
- Review the eligibility criteria for what the scheme offers to those on benefits! (e.g. Housing Benefit, Income Support, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, etc.)
- Check online if you qualify to receive low income families help grant.
- We will contact you to schedule a free survey and establish which energy efficiency measures can be installed in your home.
- Save money on your heating and energy bills!
Step 1
Check your eligibility below to find out if you can apply for the insulation grants
Step 2
One of our Energy Advisors will contact you to book a survey followed by an installation appointment
Step 3
Enjoy lower bills and relax within your improved and energy efficient home!
What is ECO 4 and how does it benefit vulnerable families?
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme established to help support low income households and vulnerable people to lower their energy bills.
This is done by requiring the largest energy companies to offer grants and loans for low income families to install heat saving measures entirely for free to them, without dipping into your family fund!
Grants available for low income families on certain benefits (see below) can help with heating their home without additional cost, meaning their benefits may qualify them to receive essential household items such as free storage heaters.
For families with a seriously ill child, it can be beneficial to know that you won’t have to take out a budgeting loan in order to afford basic heating measures.
Worried about gas and electric bill increase?
Protect your family and your household from rapid gas and electricity price increases and find out online if you’re eligible for the support grant for low income.
The free grants for low income families are funded by the main UK energy suppliers and monitored by Ofgem
What help can I get with free grants for low income UK families?
If you are a homeowner or private tenant who claims means tested benefits, tax credits or your home has a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC), you are more likely to be eligible for grants for low-income families UK.
This is to ensue that the most vulnerable people and disadvantaged families get the support they need to heat their homes with the best electric heating system that will save them money.
These are UK wide grants accessible to many people through UKES, which operates throughout England and Wales and Scotland to help low income families.
These grants for house improvements can be used to cover the cost and installation of specific energy efficient heating measures for people who receive benefits and meet other qualifying criteria.
Help for low income families is especially needed as these individuals are more likely struggling to pay for their higher costs as prices rise, which in turn can lead to more financial hardship.
In an emergency you can contact your local council for financial help and grants for families on low income, so you’ll have enough to live on until your benefits start.
A registered charity such as Turn2us can give you advice on benefits.
For more information on certain low income benefits, visit the GOV UK website.
You may be eligible to receive ECO4 grant for low income families, if you receive the following welfare assistance:
- Child Benefits
- Child Tax Credits (CTC)
- Housing Benefit NEW
- Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
- Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support (IS)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Pension Credit Savings Credit NEW
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Warm Homes Discount
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
Other free grants for low-income families:
If you aren’t on benefits, you might be able to get help from your local council, further assistance payments or other grants for families with low income.
Individuals raising disabled children may be able to get family support to help with their priority household debts as well depending upon the circumstances.
One example of this family support is the British Gas Energy Trust, which focuses on preventing fuel poverty and to assist vulnerable people to remain debt free in regards to their heating.
In some cases they can also help provide funding for people to afford basic needs for those on benefits similar to Universal Credit and Income Support.
You can still qualify for ECO4 heating measures upgrade if you received grant for disabled people and claim Universal Credit, so don’t be discouraged if you found out disability-related benefits were removed from phase 4 of the ECO scheme.
For those who prefer financial incentives for their heating improvement, you might be interested in the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which offers up to £5,000 towards the cost of the boiler replacement.
Additionally, the Great British Insulation Scheme (GIBIS) is another initiative aimed at helping families improve their home’s insulation, ensuring better energy efficiency and reduced heating costs.
Energy companies will often have their own scheme to offer low income family grants to customers who might be struggling to pay their energy costs.
Further help:
There are numerous family grants and additional Energy Crisis Suport Scheme options available for those facing financial challenges. These programmes, including the Family Holiday Association, are designed to provide relief and assistance to families in need.
Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs) often offer their own support grants. However, it’s crucial to ensure that these agencies are reputable and trustworthy before seeking their assistance.
For students from low-income families, there are specific grants available. Young people can access various educational grant programmes, especially if they are grappling with household expenses while pursuing their academic goals.
If housing costs are a concern, consider applying for a discretionary housing payment through your local council. This can provide much-needed relief for housing expenses.
Registered charities, such as Citizens Advice, offer guidance on financial support, benefits, and budgeting loans. Their expertise can be invaluable for those navigating financial hardships.
For a comprehensive overview of financial assistance and welfare support, the government website is a reliable resource. Alternatively, contacting reputable credit unions can also provide insights into available support options.
For information on food banks, visit your local council website.
If you have a young baby, you can seek assistance for basic necessities and support allowances from health visitors. These professionals are trained to provide guidance and resources to new parents in need.
Why does a low income grant for heating matter?
Many households struggle when they purchase essential household items not to mention pay ever rising energy payments.
Having a warm house can help to prevent cold related illnesses, which can be a risk in vulnerable people or those with physical and learning disabilities.
For parents with disabled children or kids supports young people who need full time care it is doubly important to make sure their home is well heated if their parents/carers can’t work.
These grants for low-income families with disabilities can help people who claim disability rebates and might have financial difficulty to avoid fuel poverty without the burden of budgeting loans, which often have to be paid back with interest.
This is a government backed scheme
Who are UKES?
UK Energy Support is a North East company based in Gateshead committed to bringing energy efficient energy solutions to those who need them. We won’t be able to get you grants for low income families to pay bills, however, we can assist in lowering them by installing energy saving measures at your home.
We work across the UK with a variety of suppliers and other organisations using government funding such as the ECO grant for low income families and individuals.
What grants are available for low income families through UKES?
If you wonder are there any grants for low income UK families the answer is yes.
Energy-efficient heating measures grants for families on low income, UK energy suppliers will fund and can be fulfilled by UKES include:
Electric storage heaters
The economy 7 storage heaters can be used in place of a gas central heating system.
They collect heat during off peaks hours (typically between 12-7am) and store it until you want to release it, meaning you won’t have to pay for higher electricity prices.
This allows you to invest in an energy efficient and cheaper alternative to gas without the cost of installing it yourself.
For families facing financial hardship, an electric storage heater could be a means of keeping energy bills low.
An electric storage heater is best used when operating on the Economy 7 electricity tariff, which allows you to save costs during the middle of the night.
Electric storage heaters are on offer through the ECO scheme and are capable of being fitted by UKES.
Loft insulation
You can receive free loft insulation grant through UKES.
Loft insulation can be placed in the roof itself or the floor of a loft space to prevent warm air from being loft in a household.
It is believed up to one quarter of a home’s heat is lost through uninsulated loft space, which can lead to illnesses or worsened health conditions (such as arthritis).
Loft insulation is simple to install and it takes very little time, meaning that there’ll be very little disruption to you.
By installing loft insulation we can help to assist vulnerable people to remain safe in their houses and to remain debt free thanks to the ECO scheme.
Room in roof insulation
This service is on offer through UKES and the ECO grants – low income household can receive it at no cost to you.
Roof insulation is ideal for people who want to have rooms in their roof that isn’t just a loft space.
Room in roof insulation involves fitting insulation boards between rafters, which will trap hot air inside without mixing in cold air.
This form of insulation can prevent cold air from leaking inside via your roof, which limits the possibility of cold related illnesses from developing.
It is especially useful for stopping the spread of mould and other damp related issues.
Cavity wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation installation and costs are entirely covered by the ECO scheme grants and UK Energy Support.
As housing costs rise, it might be more difficult to keep your home warm.
One way to do this could be to apply for grants for low income families, which could be then used for the installation of cavity wall insulation.
Cavity wall insulation prevents air from escaping through the external walls of your home, limiting the amount of heat lost and cutting down the cost of your energy bills.
It is considered to be one of the simplest energy efficient measures you can take with very little disruption, and thanks to the ECO scheme, it won’t cost you a penny!
What else is on offer in regards to grants for low income families?
There are more grants on offer from the UK government, which can cover renewable heating measures.
Other grants low-income households may consider:
- Solar panels or air source heat pump grant (on offer with UKES)
- Energy saving heating (on offer with UKES)
- Double glazing (not provided by UKES)
- Draught proofing (not provided by UKES)
You may be able to apply for energy efficient heater grants for low income families through a registered charity or through your local council.
The majority of these grants can be used for heating but you can also find grants online for educational and employment ambitions and basic needs (such as mobility aids for an ill child) if you need extra money or support from your local authority.
It might be possible to receive a budgeting loan for home improvement depending upon your circumstances.
For individuals who need food vouchers, you could contact your local councils.
Don't wait! Apply Now!
Providing free grants for low-income families is the focus of our UKES team. Let us help you save energy and apply for available grants!