Eligibility criteria:

In order to apply for a grant under the Leicester Local Authority Flex scheme your home must have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G.

Alongside a low EPC rating for your property, in order to qualify you must also meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Someone in the household receives an eligible benefit - including Universal credit, Pension credit, Working & Child tax credits, Income related jobseekers allowance & income related employment and support allowance.
• If you are not in receipt of any benefits, the gross annual household income must be below £31,000

What do grants cover?

ECO grants under the Local Authority Flex scheme can cover a range of energy improvement measures, including:

• Cavity Wall Insulation or Solid Wall Insulation: to reduce heat loss
• Loft insulation: Installing loft insulation to your home
• Under floor insulation: Insulating suspended floors
• New boiler grants: Replace your broken, old or inefficient model
• First Time Central Heating: install full central heating to properties which have never had any previously installed, including no heating or electrically heated homes.

Who can apply for an ECO grant?

Homeowners:

Homeowners are able to apply for a grant so long as they meet all of the eligibility criteria. You can still apply for an ECO grant if you do not currently have an EPC rating. Grant applicants must either receive a qualifying benefit in the household or meet low income eligibility criteria.

Households without any benefits:

Households who do not receive any benefits can still apply for a grant as part of the local authority flex scheme. In order to qualify without receiving benefits, applicants must have an annual household income below £31,000. The EPC rating must be also be listed as either E or below.

Private rental tenants:

If you are currently renting a property, you must first get landlord permission that they are happy for the work to go ahead. This also includes that there may be a contribution required dependent on a house survey which would be carried out.

Private landlords:

If you are a landlord looking for a grant for your property, your tenant must meet the eligibility criteria.

First Time Central Heating applicants:

For first time central heating applications, there must be no central heating previously installed to the property. The current method of heating must either be listed as an alternative method (electric heating, oil, wood etc) or as having no heating at all.

How does the process work?

1. Complete our online application form with details about your home as well as your contact details
2. Once we have received your application, we will be in contact to discuss the next steps.
3. To apply for a grant, we will need to check that you meet all of the qualifying criteria. Including verifying your household status, any benefits received (if applicable), applicant details and any existing measures installed.
4. If you do not receive any benefits and are applying for a grant through your local council, you will need to complete a self declaration form. This will then be processed by your local authority in order to verify your eligibility and for work to go ahead.
5. Once all of the technical details have been confirmed, there will be a site survey completed of your property to discuss the planned works to go ahead.
6. An install date will be arranged to install your measures.