Support with heating and insulation (Energy Company Obligation)

Overview

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO3) is a government energy efficiency scheme in the UK.

The scheme aims to help people on a low income, and those who are fuel poor or vulnerable.

As part of the scheme, larger energy companies must provide funding for energy saving measures in eligible households.

For more information visit Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

Eligibility

There are two sets of eligibility criteria:

  • Help to Heat - for people who get certain benefits 
  • Local Authority Flexible Eligibility - based on income, area, age, health conditions  

Help to Heat eligibility

You are eligible under the Help to Heat criteria if:

  • you're in the 'core group' for the Warm Home Discount scheme, or
  • you receive at least one of the following benefits:
    • Armed Forces Independence Payment
    • Attendance Allowance
    • Carer's Allowance
    • Child Benefit (number of children and income levels apply)
    • Constant Attendance Allowance
    • Disability Living Allowance
    • Pension Guarantee Credit
    • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
    • Income Support
    • Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
    • Personal Independence Payment
    • Severe Disablement Allowance
    • Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits)
    • Universal Credit (UC)
    • War Pensions Mobility Supplement

Under the Help to Heat criteria, you can live in a home that you own or privately rent.

Local Authority Flexible eligibility

Councils can refer private households to suppliers for support.

We have published our local eligibility criteria specific to South Tyneside. This is set out in our Statement of Intent (SOI) below. 

Using the eligibility criteria, suppliers submit a declaration to South Tyneside Council. We will assess this and confirm if the householders meet the eligibility criteria. The grant is at the discretion of the suppliers or their representatives and is subject to survey and available funding. A signed declaration does not guarantee financial assistance.

South Tyneside's eligibility criteria is based on: 

  • low income
  • where you live
  • the age of household occupants
  • those who have health conditions which are exacerbated by living in a cold home

Statement of Intent (SOI) - full eligibility criteria

For full details of South Tyneside Council's eligibility criteria, read the: 

Statement of Intent (SOI) - Affordable Warmth Flexible Eligibility Criteria

What support you could get

Installers will survey your property, and recommend measures to improve the energy efficiency. These measures may help to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions.

Energy saving measures that are available: 

  • replace or repair broken or inefficient heating systems, including:
    • gas condensing boiler replacement
    • heating control upgrades
    • renewable heating systems
  • install insulation, including:
    • cavity wall
    • loft
    • loft top up
    • underfloor insulation

How to apply

Installers may promote the scheme in your area and could contact you directly by letter (we do not encourage installers to cold call).

Or, you can contact South Tyneside Council to express your interest. We will pass your contact details to one of our preferred installers. Call us on 0191 427 7000.

Information for installers

We encourage installers to contact us before starting any marketing activity or issuing declarations.  

Please also supply a reference from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) company confirming that funding is available.

For more information or to discuss this scheme, contact us: