Energy grants

There are some energy grants available for you to apply for depending on your eligibility. These are outlined below.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) is a government energy efficiency scheme that aims to reduce carbon emissions and make energy affordable for all. The ECO4 scheme will focus on supporting low income and vulnerable households. The scheme will improve the least energy efficient homes helping to meet the Government's fuel poverty and net zero commitments. It is a government scheme, led by the private sector, not the council, Under the scheme, qualifying Homeowners may be entitled to energy efficiency improvements to their homes for free.

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a new energy efficiency scheme for households, which will support the existing Energy Company Obligation Scheme (ECO4) in the delivery of predominantly single measures targeted at a wider range of households. The scheme runs until 31st March 2026 and complements the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme but will mostly deliver single insulation measures. As well as supporting low-income and vulnerable households, it will also be available to those living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D-G, and within Council Tax bands A-D in England. The scheme will work by placing an obligation on medium and large energy companies to deliver measures that result in reduced energy usage.

The application form must be completed by an independent contractor with the resident. If you would like guidance around this, you can contact In-home support · Home Energy Advice North East.

If you were born on or before 5 October 1954 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’. If you are eligible but have not received this payment automatically you will need to make a claim.

Find out how to make a claim for a Winter Fuel Payment at GOV.UK.

You may get a Cold Weather payment if you’re getting certain benefits or support for Mortgage Interest.

You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days. You’ll get £25 for each 7-day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

Check if you can get a payment in your area at the Department for Work and Pensions website.

We are waiting for the government to confirm our funding allocation for Warm Homes: Local Grant. The new scheme for energy home upgrades is expected to start spring 2025.

The scheme will be targeted at residents who:

• own their homes or rent from a private landlord (subject to additional criteria); AND
• live in an eligible post code IMD1-2 areas, OR have a gross household income of £36,000 per year or less; AND
• live in homes with a low energy rating (EPC of D/E/F/G.) EPCs will be provided by the scheme if required.
• The scheme can fund measures such as wall, loft and floor insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels.