Energy Grants Available Through Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit is one of the qualifying benefits for the UK's main energy efficiency schemes. Whether you're a council tenant or a private renter, receiving Housing Benefit gives you access to free home improvements and energy bill discounts. Here's what you can get:
| Scheme | What You Get | Who Qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Free insulation, boilers, heat pumps | Housing Benefit recipients |
| GBIS | Free insulation | Council tax bands A-D (no benefits needed) |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 off electricity bill | Housing Benefit + high energy costs |
| Cold Weather Payment | £25 per cold week | Certain benefit recipients during cold spells |
ECO4 — Free Home Improvements for Housing Benefit Recipients
ECO4 is the government's main energy efficiency obligation scheme, running until March 2026. Housing Benefit is a qualifying benefit, which means you can receive completely free:
- Loft insulation — save up to £590/year on energy bills
- Cavity wall insulation — save up to £395/year
- Solid wall insulation — save up to £475/year
- Boiler replacement — new A-rated condensing boiler
- Air source heat pump — low-carbon heating
- Underfloor insulation — for suspended timber floors
Your home must have an EPC rating of D or below. Most older rental properties in the UK meet this requirement. Check your eligibility now.
Council Tenants vs Private Renters
Both council tenants and private renters on Housing Benefit qualify for ECO4, but there are practical differences:
Council Tenants
- Your council acts as your landlord — no separate landlord consent needed
- Many councils already have ECO4 programmes running across their housing stock
- Contact your council's housing department to ask about planned improvements
- Council properties are often prioritised because improvements benefit multiple tenants
Private Renters
- Your landlord must give written consent for any work
- Most landlords agree — it improves their property at no cost to them
- The ECO4 installer typically handles the landlord consent process
- If your landlord refuses, you can ask your council about the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) — landlords are legally required to ensure rental properties are at least EPC E
Important: If you're a private renter and your home has an EPC rating of F or G, your landlord is legally required to improve it to at least band E under MEES regulations. If they refuse, contact your local council's private rented sector team.
Universal Credit Housing Element — How It Relates
Universal Credit has largely replaced Housing Benefit for new claimants. If you receive Universal Credit (with or without a housing costs element), you also qualify for ECO4 — Universal Credit is itself a qualifying benefit. You do not need a specific housing element to qualify.
If you're still on legacy Housing Benefit, you won't be moved to Universal Credit unless your circumstances change. Both benefits give you access to the same energy grants.
Warm Home Discount — £150 Off Your Electricity Bill
Housing Benefit recipients may qualify for the Warm Home Discount, which gives you £150 off your electricity bill each winter. Under the current system, your energy supplier uses DWP data to assess whether you qualify based on your benefits and energy costs. If eligible, you'll receive a letter — no application is needed in most cases.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) — No Benefits Needed
Even if your Housing Benefit claim ended or you don't receive any benefits, you may still qualify for free insulation through GBIS. If your home is in council tax bands A-D, you can get free loft insulation or cavity wall insulation regardless of income. This is particularly useful for renters in lower-banded properties.
How to Apply
The quickest way to check what you're eligible for is to use our postcode checker. You'll need:
- Your postcode
- Confirmation that you receive Housing Benefit (or Universal Credit)
- Your energy supplier name
- Whether you're a council tenant or private renter
As a tenant, you can start the application. Your landlord (or council) will be contacted for consent before any work begins.