Eligibility for the ECO4 Scheme is based on your household’s income, the property’s energy performance, and a range of specific government or council criteria. The aim is to ensure support goes to homes that will benefit most from energy-efficiency upgrades.

Who can qualify for ECO4?

You may qualify if any of the following apply:

• You receive certain qualifying benefits (such as Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and others)
• Your property has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
• Your household income is under £31,000 per year
• Someone in the home has a health condition affected by cold or damp environments
• You qualify through your council’s Local Authority Flex (LA Flex) rules

LA Flex is an important part of ECO4 because it allows local councils to set their own criteria based on local needs. This means many people who don’t receive benefits can still qualify due to health, vulnerability, or low income.

Medical Route (Health Conditions)

Under ECO4 and LA Flex, many councils accept applications through the medical route, designed for households where someone has a condition affected by cold, damp, or poor insulation.

Most councils group medical eligibility into four main categories:

• Mobility Issues — Conditions that limit movement or make it difficult to regulate body temperature.
• Cardiovascular Conditions — Heart-related illnesses where cold exposure can worsen symptoms.
• Immunosuppressed Conditions — Weakened immune system or treatments that make cold, mould, or damp environments risky.
• Respiratory Conditions — Asthma, COPD, and other breathing issues aggravated by cold or damp.

If someone in the household falls into one of these categories, the property may qualify for ECO4 even without benefits or low income, depending on the council’s LA Flex rules.

What is LA Flex?

Local Authority Flex (LA Flex) gives councils the power to approve ECO4 funding under broader rules. This helps households who may not meet the standard benefit criteria but still need support due to health, vulnerability, or cold homes.

Examples of people who may qualify under LA Flex include:

• Households with long-term health conditions
• Families with a low energy-efficient home (EPC E–G)
• People living in fuel poverty
• Low-income households without benefits

Each council sets its own version of LA Flex, so application speed can vary depending on your postcode.

Property requirements

ECO4 focuses on improving homes that are difficult to heat. Your property may be eligible if:

• It has an EPC rating of D–G
• It has minimal loft or cavity insulation
• The existing heating system is inefficient — condensing boilers only

A home survey will confirm exactly which upgrades are needed.

Who cannot qualify?

The scheme cannot be used for:

• Private tenant properties
• Fully funded council-owned properties
• Housing association homes (unless they have partnered with the scheme)
• Properties with a valid EPC rating of A, B, or C

Do homeowners need to pay anything?

No — never.

You either qualify and pay nothing, or you don’t qualify and nothing is installed. There are no part-payments, contributions, or hidden fees under ECO4.

Why eligibility matters

By focusing on vulnerable households and low EPC-rated homes, ECO4 ensures funding is used where it will make the biggest difference — lowering heating bills, reducing carbon emissions, and improving comfort for those who need it most.

Many households qualify without benefits, and eligibility is often confirmed through a simple check and free survey.