ECO Flex Explained: Local Authority Energy Grants for Households Not on Benefits

What ECO Flex is

ECO Flex (formally LA Flex) is a route within the Energy Company Obligation that allows local authorities in England and Wales to refer households for energy efficiency grants even when they do not receive a means-tested benefit. It exists because some households in fuel poverty fall outside the standard ECO4 eligibility routes (for example, working households on low income, or older homeowners with modest savings who do not claim Pension Credit).

Each local authority publishes a Statement of Intent setting out which households it will refer and on what criteria. The criteria vary, but they typically include:

• Household income below a threshold (often £31,000 to £36,000 per year)
• A health condition made worse by cold homes (respiratory, cardiovascular, mental health)
• A vulnerable resident (older person, child under 5, disability)
• Living in a property rated EPC D or below
• Receiving Council Tax support or housing benefit (where not already covered by other routes)

You can find your local authority's Statement of Intent by searching online for "[your council name] ECO Flex Statement of Intent" or by contacting the local authority's energy or housing team.

How it differs from standard ECO4

The work funded under ECO Flex is the same as standard ECO4: insulation, heating system upgrades, first-time central heating, and so on. The difference is in the eligibility check. Standard ECO4 eligibility is verified against benefit records by the energy supplier. ECO Flex eligibility is verified by the local authority, which issues a "Declaration" confirming that the household meets the criteria. The energy supplier then accepts that Declaration as proof of eligibility.

How the application works

1. Check your local authority's Statement of Intent to see whether you might qualify.

2. Contact the local authority to start the referral. Some councils have a dedicated team, others outsource this to a local grant programme.

3. Provide evidence of income, health conditions, or other criteria as required.

4. Receive a Declaration from the local authority confirming your eligibility.

5. Choose an approved installer (the local authority can usually recommend one or signpost you to a list).

6. Installer applies to the energy supplier with your Declaration attached and proceeds with the work if approved.

How to check your property

Many local authority Flex criteria require the property to be EPC D, E, F or G. To find out your rating, search your address on Property Passport UK at [/search](/search). The platform shows the EPC rating sourced from the official EPC Register, the date of the last assessment, and the recommended improvements. This is the starting point for any grant application.

What to watch out for

ECO Flex has been targeted by mis-selling and fraud. Common scams include:

• Cold callers claiming to represent the government or the local authority
• Pressure-selling on the doorstep
• Promises of "free heat pumps" with no eligibility check
• Requests for upfront payments

Legitimate ECO Flex applications go through your local authority and an MCS-registered installer. They never require upfront payment from the household. If you are unsure, contact the council directly.

What if you do not qualify

If you do not qualify for ECO Flex, you may still qualify for:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme for a heat pump grant of £7,500 (no income test)
• The Warm Home Discount for a £150 winter electricity bill credit
• Local authority winter fuel grants
• Specific schemes for older homeowners (some councils run hardship grants for over-65s)

For owner-occupied higher-income households outside any grant scheme, the cost of going from D to C on an EPC guide gives a realistic breakdown of what the work costs without subsidy.

Check your EPC on Property Passport UK

Property Passport UK shows the official EPC rating for every property in England and Wales, sourced directly from the EPC Register. You can look up any address at [propertypassport.uk/epc](/epc), or search by postcode at [/search](/search) to see the rating, expiry date, recommended improvements, and the gap between current and potential efficiency.

Related guides

• EPC C rating by 2030 explained
• MEES regulations landlord guide
• Cost of going from D to C on an EPC
• Boiler Upgrade Scheme explained