Up to £3,500 grant for heating improvements or repairs
The Government Warm Front grant pays up to £3,500 (£6,000 for oil central heating or low-carbon/renewable technology) for a package of heating and/or insulation improvements or repairs for householders on certain benefits. You may qualify if you receive income related benefits AND you are over 60 or have a child under 16, or if you receive disability benefits. See below for how to apply and eligibility criteria.
£300 off heating repairs and improvements
Even if you do not qualify for the £3,500 Warm Front grant because you don’t receive a qualifying benefit, if you are over 60 you can claim a £300 rebate on a new heating system or repairs to your existing system, if you have no central heating or your current system is inoperable. See below for how to apply.
The funding and works allowed for the full Warm Front grant are as follows:
- The maximum grant is £3,500 (£6,000 if oil central heating or low-carbon/renewable technology is involved). If you have previously received a Warm Front grant the value of this will be deducted from the maximum grant.
- If you do not have central heating or you need a new system, the grant will provide a gas, oil, or electric heating system including up to 5 radiators with thermostatic radiator valves.
- The grant will repair or replace your existing boiler if necessary.
- The grant will also provide insulation if necessary (but see below)
How to apply for the full grant:
It is best to apply for grants from Book My Survey or from local installers, for the following reasons:
- They have access to funding from fuel companies as well as the Government, so if appropriate may be able to provide free insulation for you without using any of the £3,500 Warm Front allowance which can then be used for heating.
- Using a local company supports the local economy and reduces travel costs, time, and carbon emissions. If you apply direct to the Warm Front scheme, you may get an installer from further affield.
How to apply for the £300 rebate:
You can apply to one of the local heating companies who are registered to operate the discount scheme in this area. Alternatively you can phone Warm Front on 0800 316 2805 to apply for the rebate scheme and get a list of 6 companies operating in this area (they may not all be locally based). It is wise to get more than one quote for the work. When the work is completed to your satisfaction by your chosen company, you will pay for the works, excluding the £300 deduction, which the company will claim back from the Warm Front team.
The eligibility criteria for Warm Front are as follows:
The grant is available for owner-occupiers or tenants of private landlords.
The householder or their spouse/partner must receive one of the following benefits:
(If you do not receive one of these benefits, but you are on low income and/or disabled, you can check whether you may be entitled to a benefit by phoning freephone 0800 072 9006 or email
)
1. Householders aged 60 or over in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Council Tax Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- Pension Credit
2. Householders with a child under 16, or pregnant women with maternity certificate MAT-B1, in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Council Tax Benefit
- Housing Benefit
- Job Seekers Allowance (income-based)
- Pension Credit
3. Householders in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Working Tax Credit (with an income of less than £16,040, which must include a disability element)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Child Tax Credit (with an income of less than £16,040)
- Housing Benefit (which must include a disability premium)
- Income Support (which must include a disability premium)
- Council Tax Benefit (which must include a disability premium)
- War Disablement Pension (which must include a mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include a mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
- Attendance Allowance
Boiler Scrappage Scheme
From January 2010, householders wanting to replace their old gas-, oil- or LPG-fired boiler might be eligible for a £400 grant towards the cost of a new high-efficiency model. To qualify your old boiler must be G-rated or worse for energy efficiency. For full details of the scheme click here.