Fuel Poverty - Grants To Make Homes Warmer Healthier & More Energy Efficient
There are various grant schemes available offering anything from a brand new central heating system and insulation to programmers and thermostatic radiator valves.
Warm Homes Scheme
The Warm Homes Scheme is funded by the Department for Social Development and managed by EAGA Partnership. It provides grants to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.
The Warm Homes Scheme is for people who are on certain benefits and own their home or rent it from a private landlord.
What Is Available Under Warm Homes?
There are two levels of grant available:
Warm Homes
Warm Homes is for householders on a qualifying benefit, who have children under 16, are pregnant and have a MAT B1 certificate or are receiving certain sickness or disability related benefits.
Under Warm Homes you can receive the following improvements:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Draughtproofing to windows and doors
- Hot water tank jackets
- Energy efficient lightbulbs
- Reflective radiator panels (solid walls only)
- Energy advice
Warm Homes Plus
Warm Homes Plus is for householders who are 60 or over and in receipt of a qualifying benefit.
As well as the improvements listed above, householders aged 60 or over who are in receipt of one of the benefits listed are also eligible for:
- Energy efficient oil or gas central heating system
- Conversion of an existing bottled gas, solid fuel or Economy 7 heating system to oil or natural gas
How Do I Apply?
To find out if you qualify, please read the “Do I qualify” section below. You can then call EAGA free on: 0800 181 667 Minicom: 0800 072 0156
Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Do I Qualify For A Warm Homes Grant?
There are three main groups of householders who are eligible for the insulation measures:
Householders who have a child under the age of 16 and who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Rate Rebate
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Child Tax Credit and NHS Tax Exemption Certificate (can apply to children over the age of 16 in full-time education)
- Expectant mothers in receipt of a maternity certificate (MAT B1) and one of the above benefits
Householders who are in receipt of one or more of the following disability related benefits:
- Disability Living Allowance
- Housing Benefit (with Disability Premium)
- Rate Rebate (with Disability Premium)
- Income Support (with Disability Premium)
- Working Tax Credit (with Disability Premium) & NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
- War Disablement Pension (with Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (with Constant Attendance Allowance)
Householders who are 60 years or over and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:
- Rate Rebate
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Working Tax Credit (with Disability Premium) & NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (with Constant Attendance Allowance)
- War Disablement Pension (with Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
Warmer Ways to Better Health
Warmer Ways to Better Health supports vulnerable people who are living in homes that have inadequate heating and insulation but do not qualify for support currently available under existing schemes such as Warm Homes. The Scheme is part-funded by the Northern Ireland Electricity Levy Scheme and the Northern Investing for Health Partnership as well as local Councils".
Your Property Must:
- be owner occupied or privately rented
- be heated by means of an open fire or glass fronted fire, electric heaters/economy 7 or have no central heating (for whole house solutions) or
Householders living in the following Council areas may apply to the Scheme:
Antrim
Larne
Ballymoney
Ballymena
Carrickfergus
Coleraine
Cookstown
Magherafelt
Moyle
Newtownabbey
What is available under Warmer Ways to Better Health?
Option 1: Whole House Solution
Package of:-
- Natural gas or oil-fired heating system. (condensing boiler & controls)
- Cavity wall insulation.
- Loft insulation to 270mm.
- Hot water cylinder insulation.
- 4 energy saving light bulbs.
Criteria
Income:
- Single with an income/pension <£12,000 gross or
- Couple or lone parent with an income/pension < £18,000 gross
AND
- Over 60 or disabled.
- Children under 16 at home.
- Health issue ( Referral must be accompnaied by GP letter.)
AND
- Own their home or live in private rented accomodation.
Option 2: Insulation
- Cavity wall insulation.
- Loft insulation up to 270mm.
- 4 energy saving light bulbs.
- Free benefit entitlement check.
Criteria
- Single with an income < £12000 gross a year OR
- Couple or lone parent with an income <£18,000 gross a year OR
- Someone of any age at home who has a disability OR
- Someone of any age at home with long term health problems AND
- Own their home or live in private rented accomodation.
How do I apply?
Contact: Fuel Poverty Strategy Co-ordinator
c/o Riada House
14 Charles Street
Ballymoney
BT53 6DZ
Tel: 028 2766 0257
Fax: 028 2766 0222
Email warmerhomes@ballymoney.gov.uk
Other Grants
Cashback Schemes
There are other grants and cash back schemes to make homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.
The Energy Savings Trust is a one-stop advice centre for energy efficiency advice. You can contact them on 0800 512 012 or visit their website www.est.org.uk for more information.
Housing Executive Grants may also be available from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. Phone your local grants office on 028 2565 3399 for details. Alternatively visit the NIHE’s website on www.nihe.gov.uk.
