Flexible Eligibility, sometimes abbreviated as LA Flex. It is component of the Government’s New phase of Energy Company Obligation Scheme – ECO4.
What exactly is LA Flex?
Flexible Eligibility, commonly abbreviated as LA Flex is component of the Government’s New phase of Energy Company Obligation Scheme – ECO4.
The Councils as well as Local Authorities have the power to broaden the criteria for eligibility for ECO schemes, which permits them to customize energy efficiency plans to their particular region.
This lets more people as well as those who are claiming benefits, to receive ECO aid, typically because of their poor income, health or age which gives councils the power to assist particular communities.
LA Flex must define criteria to determine if residents are living in poverty due to fuel or have a low incomes and are vulnerable to living in cold houses.
Local authorities may use LA Flex to assist homeowners gain by installing house energy-efficiency measures. However this Flexible Eligibility method isn’t available to tenants in social housing.
What exactly is Eco4?
ECO4 is the main scheme introduced from the Government. It is a government-sponsored scheme. Energy Company Obligation (ECO) has legal obligations for larger energy companies to offer energy efficiency measures for domestic properties. It’s part of a series of free central heating grants provided by the government as a way to help the environment by reducing the carbon footprint of Britain in 2050.
You may have heard the phrase “Affordable Warmth” being used. Affordable Warmth is a term that focuses on the segment of the population that is in need. This includes low-income vulnerable and fuel poor households. Through ECO4, the government has established guidelines for eligibility which will lead to approximately 6.6m households being qualified to participate in the scheme. Additionally it will allow up to 25 percent of the requirement to be fulfilled through measures implemented under the Local Authorities Flexible Eligibility.
In simple terms, ECO4 is a scheme developed through the UK Government in order to reduce our carbon footprint by making heating at home more affordable and efficient. It is focused on replacing boilers that are older and less efficient by introducing new, energy efficient models and also renewing the cavity wall, floor insulation, and ‘room-in-roof. All of these elements are combined to reduce the cost to heat your home as they require less energy (gas and electricity) in order to warm it.
What is it that makes LA Flex different to ECO4?
LA Flex can be closely linked to ECO4 in the sense that it’s a supplementary program to the ECO4 scheme. It’s basically more funds that is provided for Local Authorities to pin point those who aren’t under the ECO4’s main eligibility, but still heavily rely on the free funding scheme. It’s basically the same thing however, it has the application process being different (for us, since we take care of all the legwork on your behalf).
It is a little looser set of rules which eventually results in the exact same result for you: the replacement of your boiler for free and a an upgrade to cavity wall insulation as well as underfloor heating. Different local Authorities use different regulations and boundaries regarding LA Flex, but if you submit your application by way of Borthwick Heating and Insulation we’ll make sure that your application is processed to the point the appropriate location.
What are the eligibility criteria to be eligible for LA Flex and ECO4?
Each of LA Flex and ECO4 require applicants to be homeowner. If you’re living in a rental, you’re not qualified for either scheme. Additionally, they require you to have a boiler that is at minimum seven years old. As time passes, boilers get less efficient as they are used continuously and so if you’ve got a boiler that is 10 years old that has a “B” rating on it your boiler, chances are it isn’t that efficient anymore.
7 years is the period in which most boilers have deteriorated enough that replacement makes sense. This is when the demands shift.
To qualify for Eco 4 you have to be receiving benefits from the government. This means:
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit Element
employment and support Allowance (ESA)
JSA is a Jobseeker’s Allowance based on income (JSA)
Income Assistance
Working Tax Credits
Child Tax Credits
Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s allowance
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
Severe Disablement Allowance
Supplement to the War Pensions and Mobility Supplement
Industrial Injuries Disability Benefit
Pay for Personal Independence (PIP)
Constant Attendance Permit
Child Benefit *
If you are claiming Child Benefit, we’ll have to ask additional questions to determine whether you’re eligible.
The program is called LA Flex it’s targeted towards people with low incomes but not dependent on benefits, and people who are in a situation that living in cold homes can make matters worse. This includes the pregnant or elderly women, parents of children (under 5 years old)) as well as those suffering from health conditions that are aggravated due to cold climates.
Local authorities typically classify “low income” households as those earning less than £27,000 for their household income total annually, however the numbers do vary in certain areas, especially those where the costs of living are higher than the national average. You must be an “Low income household” and satisfy one of the criteria that results in you being a victim of affection because you live in a cold house to be eligible for LA Flex funding.
Warmer Home UK
Unit 10, Centurion Park, Davyfield Rd, Blackburn BB1 2QY
01254 460455
warmerhomeuk.co.uk
