Can you get free loft insulation if not on benefits?
You must receive a qualifying benefit in order to qualify for a free loft insulation.
What is a free loft insulation grant? You may be eligible to have this home improvement installed, free of charge. Indeed, there are many participating energy suppliers. Your Benefits will tell you all you need to know about the free loft insulation grant.
How to apply for loft insulation grant
Applying for a loft insulation grant is unlike applying for a lot of benefits. In fact, this depends on your energy provider, as you apply through them. In other words, you will need to contact them to apply. Then, you may be able to get a free loft insulation grant.
Moreover, you may live in Wales or England. In this case, you can use the Simple Energy Advice calculator online, on the Gov.UK website. If you live in Scotland, you may use the Home Energy Scotland website.
Then, you will need to notify your supplier and ask for a survey. Furthermore, you do not even have to only go to your energy provider that you have right now. Any provider present in the Ofgem list will do, depending on availability.
Important
E.on is the only supplier that allows for online claims. For all others, call them to ask about the claiming process.
The survey that will be done will be free. Indeed, this is also likely the case for the loft insulation itself. However, there may be costs you have to pay. Because of this, you will be told in advance if that is the case. Then, you may choose not to go ahead with the procedure.
Can I know if I won’t qualify?
There are certain circumstances that may make you not eligible to benefit from this aid. In fact, this is the case for the following:
- You live in a flat and your neighbours disagree with the improvements;
- The materials that your home is made of are natural stone, concrete, metal or timber framed;
- You have damp problems in your home.
Am I eligible for a free loft insulation grant?
Energy providers of a certain size need to contribute to home improvements, like the free loft insulation grant. Otherwise, they risk having to pay fines.
You may live in Northern Ireland. If this is the case, you may not be able to get a loft insulation grant. Then, you may get similar benefits with other schemes.
In order to be eligible, you must earn certain benefits. Additionally, your income must be under £16,190. Then, you are likely eligible. If you rent your property, you may still benefit from this aid. However, check with your landlord.
You may live in a flat. Then, you may still be eligible. However, the same improvement would need to be done for the entire block. In fact, you must then check and make sure that your neighbours are on board. As a summary, both of the following need to apply to you. Indeed, if they do, you will likely be eligible:
- The property in which you live is your own: you may still be eligible if renting your property from a private landlord;
- You or someone living with you receives one or more qualifying benefit(s). The full list is below.
Disclaimer
You may still wonder if your energy provider can provide a loft insulation grant to you. Many medium and large-size companies qualify. In fact, this is the case for Octopus Energy, Shell energy, EDF Energy, Scottish Power… You may find a complete list on the Ofgem website.
Qualifying benefits
Your improvement costs may be covered under the Energy Company Obligations (ECO) scheme. Indeed, if you get one of the following qualifying benefits, you could get a free loft insulation grant:
- Child Tax Credit;
- Working Tax Credit;
- Pension Guarantee Credit;
- Carer’s Allowance;
- Income Support;
- Attendance Allowance;
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP);
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA);
- Universal Credit;
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA);
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit;
- Severe Disablement Allowance;
- Housing Benefit.
If you receive one of the following, you are likely eligible for the Energy Company Obligations (ECO) scheme. Then, you could get a free loft insulation grant.
What is a loft insulation grant?
The Energy Company Obligations (ECO) allows people to have home improvements done for reduced costs, and even for free. However, you must get certain benefits to benefit from this. Furthermore, your income needs to be below £16,190. A loft insulation grant can allow you to get this done for free.
Then, if you believe you are eligible, you could benefit from this yourself. Indeed, these schemes may be awarded by energy providers who have over 150,000 customers. However, note that suppliers do not usually have an infinite availability for these measures.
Important
Loft insulation may also be covered by Green Homes Grant vouchers. Indeed, it is considered a primary measure under the scheme. As such, if you are not already using the Energy Company Obligations (ECO) scheme, you may use your vouchers.
You may be eligible for a loft insulation grant, which means you could also get a cavity wall insulation. The following indicates your eligibility for Green Homes Grant voucher amounts, depending on whether or not you get qualifying benefits:
| Green Homes Grant amounts in 2022 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Does the applicant qualify for certain benefits? | How much of the improvement costs that can be covered | Maximum amount that can be awarded through the scheme |
| No | up to two-thirds | £5,000 |
| Yes | up to one hundred percent | £10,000 |
What is a loft or cavity wall insulation?
Loft and cavity wall insulation can be expensive. In fact, it can cost over a thousand pounds. However, it can save you money in the long run. More specifically, over £500 yearly off your energy bills. This is why a free loft insulation grant is beneficial.
Disclaimer
Through the ECO scheme, many companies will offer this for free. However, your home must qualify. More specifically, you must first check if this is a good decision for your situation.
A cavity wall insulation is most relevant for homes that were built between the 20s and 90s. In fact, most of these homes have an empty space between the external and internal walls. This space may be filled with insulating material. This will keep the warm air in and cold air out. As such, it may not be the best option for all homes.
Loft insulation is slightly different. More specifically, most of the heat in a home escapes upwards. Then, this can be mitigated by putting a mineral roof right below the rafters.
