Central Heating grants for households on Carer’s Allowance

New heating grants are now available that help with the costs of a replacement boiler or a completely new central heating system when no heating system is present. The offered heating grants are part of a programme backed by the Government known as the Energy Companies Obligation (ECO). Individuals who receive Carer’s Allowance benefit will find the grants cover the entire cost of all work and will not be asked to pay anything back.

As part of the ECO scheme, the six biggest energy providers here in the UK including Npower and British Gas will cover the costs of all work required to contribute to solving the problem of fuel poverty. The scheme is designed to ensure low-income homes have efficient heating systems and can benefit from lower energy bills.

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How do carers qualify for a central heating grant?

The available central heating grants provided through the ECO scheme can be claimed by landlords, private tenants, and homeowners, however, someone living at the address must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

Carer’s Allowance is among the qualifying benefits that entitle a householder to support from the ECO scheme, so if someone is receiving this benefit at your address you will be eligible for a free heating grant.

You’ll be eligible to receive a Carer’s Allowance benefit if you’re currently caring for a vulnerable individual for no less than 35 hours each week. It’s worth noting that for you to be entitled to receive a central heating grant from the ECO scheme you do not have to be living within the same home as the person you are caring for.

How do the ECO central heating grants for carers work?

As someone receiving Carer’s Allowance you can complete an online application, a free survey of your heating systems will then be booked in. After your central heating system has been assessed your new boiler and heating system will be installed and you can then reclaim the full costs for the work through the ECO grant scheme.

What type of systems will qualify for an ECO heating grant?

If the central heating system on your premises has a boiler that is 5 years or older, with an energy efficiency rating between C and G, you should be entitled to receive a grant to cover the costs of its replacement with a new A-rated boiler.

Additionally, central heating grants are also provided to homeowners in order to install a complete central heating system, in properties that currently have no system fitted. The scheme also covers electric storage heaters being replaced with models that are more efficient.

What happens if you do not qualify for a central heating grant?

If you discover that you don’t meet the criteria established by the ECO scheme, you may still be able to qualify for a Green Deal finance agreement. If you receive one of the loans, your payments will be taken using the money saved on your energy bills by having a more efficient heating system installed.

What type of boiler can qualify for a free ECO central heating grant?

As well as the applicant, the boiler that requires replacing must qualify as well, for a home to receive a free central heating grant via the ECO scheme.

In order to answer the established criteria, the boiler that needs replacing must be operating with an efficiency level no greater than 86 percent of its top capacity. Boilers that are operating with this standard of efficiency are typically rated from C to G, with the most efficient boiler carrying an A rating. Boilers that are around five years old or more are commonly found in this category and will meet the set criteria.

If boilers are confirmed to be damaged beyond viable repair expenses, they are also eligible for a grant as well as those with faults in functionality. Common faults in older models of boiler that could see them qualify include constantly requiring repressurising, pilot lights that won’t stay lit, models that leak water and produce considerable noise or those that are not able to provide basic central heating and hot water.

Even if a boiler has none of these issues, if it is C rated or lower for efficiency or is five years or older, it should be eligible to be replaced for free.

Apply For Your Government Backed Heating Grant

Following your successful application, we will arrange a free, no obligation survey to ensure the maximum grant is obtained and advise you on the best products to reduce your homes energy usage.