LA Flex ends with ECO4: what you can get now
LA Flex is a council route into ECO4, so it ends with ECO4 on 31 December 2026. If you qualified on income or health rather than benefits, this is where to go now.
- The income route that replaces LA Flex (England) — the Warm Homes: Local Grant qualifies you on household income of £36,000 or less before tax, with no benefits needed, or on your postcode, in homes rated EPC D–G. A council ECO Flex “route 2” declaration also counts while councils still issue them. Apply free on GOV.UK. The £36,000 rule explained.
- In Scotland or Wales? — the Warm Homes: Local Grant is England only. In Scotland, Warmer Homes Scotland funds insulation and heating (Home Energy Scotland, 0808 808 2282); in Wales, Nest does the same for low-income households in homes rated EPC E or below (0808 808 2244).
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England & Wales) — £7,500 off an air source or ground source heat pump for most homeowners replacing fossil-fuel heating — no income or benefits test, and since 28 April 2026 no valid EPC needed. Homes heated by oil or LPG with no mains gas connection get £9,000 off an air source or ground source heat pump until 31 March 2027. The installer claims it and takes it off the quote; you pay the rest. Boiler Upgrade Scheme guide.
- ECO4, while it lasts — ECO4 can still fund work where a local installer has capacity, but only until 31 December 2026, and the work has to be finished, not just booked. There are no new targets and no ECO5. What replaces ECO4.
Sources, checked 10 October 2026: GOV.UK Warm Homes: Local Grant, GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme, SI 2026/390, Ofgem ECO, HMRC VAT Notice 708/6, GOV.UK Warm Home Discount, Home Energy Scotland, gov.wales Nest.
What is LA Flex?
LA Flex (Local Authority Flexibility) is a route within the ECO4 scheme that allows local councils to set their own eligibility criteria for energy grants — see how the LA Flex scheme works for the full picture. This means low income households can qualify without receiving benefits.
LA Flex was introduced because the government recognized that many struggling households don't claim benefits but still need help with energy costs.
If your council's LA Flex allocation is fully used, the Warm Homes: Local Grant is a second no-benefits route for lower-income private homes in England — and it runs until March 2028, longer than ECO4.
Key Point: LA Flex is not a separate scheme — it's a way to qualify for ECO4 through your council's criteria rather than through benefits.
Council threshold examples
LA Flex is set locally, so these are planning benchmarks rather than national guarantees. Always verify the current Statement of Intent for your council.
| Council area | Typical route to check | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester | Income, health vulnerability and EPC need | Manchester council guide |
| Birmingham | Fuel poverty, low income and property condition | Birmingham council guide |
| Leeds | Health, income and cold-home risk criteria | Leeds council guide |
| Cornwall | Local energy advice and council-backed referral routes | Cornwall council guide |
| Newham | Income vulnerability and private-rented-sector support | Newham council guide |
| Camden | London council flexible eligibility route | Camden council guide |
| Islington | Fuel poverty and cold-home risk checks | Islington council guide |
| Bristol | Income, EPC and local referral evidence | Bristol council guide |
| Sheffield | Low income, health and property criteria | Sheffield council guide |
| Liverpool | Household income and insulation need | Liverpool council guide |
| Nottingham | Fuel poverty and low EPC signals | Nottingham council guide |
| Leicester | Income, benefits and property condition | Leicester council guide |
| Bradford | Low income and health vulnerability | Bradford council guide |
| Bolton | Income, EPC and local authority checks | Bolton council guide |
| Blackpool | Fuel poverty and poor-property signals | Blackpool council guide |
| Cardiff | Check Welsh/local routes before assuming ECO4 LA Flex | Cardiff council guide |
| Glasgow | Check Scottish local support and ECO supplier route | Glasgow council guide |
| Newcastle | Income, EPC and council referral route | Newcastle council guide |
| Plymouth | Low income and home-efficiency evidence | Plymouth council guide |
| Southampton | Health vulnerability and low EPC route | Southampton council guide |
| Portsmouth | Income and private-tenure checks | Portsmouth council guide |
| Reading | Fuel poverty and property condition | Reading council guide |
| Oxford | Low income and cold-home vulnerability | Oxford council guide |
| Norwich | Council Statement of Intent route | Norwich council guide |
| Cambridge | Income, health and EPC checks | Cambridge council guide |
| Coventry | Household vulnerability and EPC need | Coventry council guide |
| Derby | Income and local referral criteria | Derby council guide |
| Dudley | Fuel poverty and EPC signals | Dudley council guide |
| Wolverhampton | Income, tenure and property criteria | Wolverhampton council guide |
| Wigan | Local income and cold-home criteria | Wigan council guide |
How Councils Set LA Flex Criteria
Each local authority in England sets its own LA Flex eligibility criteria based on:
- Local income levels
- Local fuel poverty rates
- Housing stock conditions
- Local health statistics
This means LA Flex eligibility varies by council. What qualifies in one area may not qualify in another.
LA Flex Income Thresholds
Councils publish their LA Flex routes in a Statement of Intent, most of them built on Ofgem's template:
| Route | What it means |
|---|---|
| Route 1: income | Gross household income under £31,000, regardless of household size |
| Route 2: proxies | A combination of low-income indicators set out in the council's Statement of Intent |
| Route 3: health | A referral from the NHS or a GP for a health condition made worse by a cold home |
| Route 4: bespoke | A local route the council has had approved by Ofgem |
Health Conditions That May Qualify
Many councils include health conditions in their LA Flex criteria. These typically include:
- Respiratory conditions (asthma, COPD)
- Cardiovascular conditions
- Diabetes
- Arthritis and mobility issues
- Mental health conditions affecting daily living
- Conditions affecting temperature regulation
- Terminal illnesses
Important: Even if your condition isn't listed, you may still qualify. Each council has different criteria.
Other LA Flex Eligibility Criteria
Councils may also consider:
- Property criteria: EPC rating E, F, or G
- Housing benefit recipients
- Carers and those with disabilities
What Can You Get Through LA Flex?
If you qualify through LA Flex, you can receive the same measures as standard ECO4:
How to Apply Through LA Flex
- Check your eligibility — Use our free LA Flex checker
- Provide evidence — Of income, health conditions, or other criteria
- Home survey — Assessor visits your property
- Installation — Measures can be fully funded for eligible households; the installer may ask for a top-up
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to claim benefits to qualify?
No, that's the main benefit of LA Flex. You can qualify based on income or health conditions without claiming benefits.
How do I know if my council has LA Flex?
Many councils in England take part, but not all. Check your council's Statement of Intent, or use our eligibility checker to see which routes may suit you.
What evidence do I need?
You'll typically need proof of income (payslips, bank statements), evidence of health conditions (letter from GP/hospital), or other documentation your council requires.
Can I apply as a tenant?
Yes, private tenants can apply through LA Flex with landlord consent. Measures can be fully funded for eligible households, but the installer may ask for a top-up.