Free Boiler Grant for Universal Credit Recipients
If you receive Universal Credit, you may be eligible for a boiler replacement funded through the ECO4 scheme. Funded work is usually free, with nothing to repay.
Apply Free Boiler is run by Reliant Energy Solutions Ltd, an ECO4 heating and insulation installer. Energy suppliers pay us for each installation we complete under ECO4. How we are funded. Last updated: 7 October 2026.
Funded if you qualify
Energy suppliers fund the work under ECO4, so there is usually nothing to pay
- Usually nothing to pay upfront
- No fee to apply
- No repayments needed
- Funded by energy suppliers
Significant Bill Savings
Reduce your heating costs with an A-rated efficient boiler
- Usually lower heating bills
- 90%+ efficiency rating
- Lower carbon footprint
- Improved home comfort
Professional Service
A survey before any work starts, and no fee to apply
- Survey before any work starts
- Manufacturer warranty included
- Professional aftercare support
- Quality guaranteed work
Universal Credit Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for a free boiler as a Universal Credit recipient, you need to meet these specific criteria.
You must be currently receiving Universal Credit with a valid award letter
- A recent statement or award letter
- Must show ongoing entitlement
- Joint claims accepted for couples
- All household members must be declared
Your property must meet specific energy efficiency criteria
- EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Connected to mains gas supply
- Existing boiler is broken or inefficient
- Property suitable for installation
Both homeowners and tenants can apply with proper documentation
- Homeowners: property deeds or mortgage statement
- Tenants: tenancy agreement and landlord permission
- Responsible for heating bills
What ECO4 Needs Besides Universal Credit
ECO4 is funded by energy suppliers under rules set by government and administered by Ofgem. A Universal Credit claim gets you through the first test. The other three decide whether you get a boiler.
- Someone in the home gets Universal Credit. It can be you or anyone you live with. Have a Universal Credit statement or award letter that shows your name and address. Suppliers can also confirm the claim with DWP directly through data matching.
- The home is rated EPC D to G. That applies to owner-occupied homes. Privately rented and social housing homes need E, F or G. Look up your rating on the GOV.UK EPC register.
- Your tenure allows a boiler. Owners are the main route. In a privately rented home you need the landlord's written permission, and Ofgem's guidance says a boiler repair or replacement on its own is generally not eligible. Social tenants in E to G homes may get insulation or first-time central heating.
- The survey finds work ECO4 can fund. ECO4 sets minimum insulation rules for any heating measure, so the job may include loft or cavity wall insulation before or alongside the boiler.
Meeting all four still does not guarantee an install. Ofgem says ECO is not a grant scheme. Energy suppliers choose which homes to fund, and some households are asked to contribute to the cost. Get any contribution in writing before work starts. Our eligibility guide covers the other qualifying routes.
Is There an ECO4 Income Limit for Universal Credit?
No. Ofgem's ECO4 delivery guidance lists Universal Credit as a qualifying benefit with no earnings threshold, so a working claimant qualifies on the same terms as one who is not working. Child Benefit is the only listed benefit with income caps.
Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit ended on 5 April 2025 and no longer count. If you moved from tax credits to Universal Credit, your Universal Credit claim is what qualifies you now.
Simple 5-Step Application Process
Getting your free boiler as a Universal Credit recipient is straightforward.
Check Eligibility
Confirm your Universal Credit status and property suitability
Duration: 2 minutes
Gather Documents
Collect Universal Credit award letter and property documents
Duration: 30 minutes
Submit Application
Complete online form with all required information
Duration: 10 minutes
Home Survey
Technical assessment of your property and heating system
Duration: 1-2 hours
Approval & Installation
Application approved and new boiler installed
Duration: Varies
Documents You'll Need
Prepare these documents to ensure a smooth application process.
Not on Universal Credit?
Pension Guarantee Credit, Pension Savings Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Child Benefit within its income caps also qualify (GOV.UK). Without any of these, your council may still declare you eligible through LA Flex if your household income is under £31,000 or someone at home has a health condition made worse by the cold.
Before You Apply: Check Your Installer
Check any installer you deal with on TrustMark and the Gas Safe Register, and ignore cold calls or door-knockers promising a free boiler that day. Our free boiler scam checklist lists the warning signs.
Universal Credit Recipients - Frequently Asked Questions
Can Universal Credit recipients automatically qualify for free boilers?
Yes, Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit for the ECO4 scheme. However, you must also meet other criteria including property EPC rating (D-G), have an old/inefficient boiler, and meet tenancy requirements. You will need a recent Universal Credit statement or award letter.
What if I'm on Universal Credit but my partner isn't?
If you're in a couple and claiming Universal Credit jointly, this qualifies your household for the scheme. If you're claiming individually while living with a partner, we'll need to assess your specific circumstances. Contact our team for guidance.
Do I need to pay anything upfront as a Universal Credit recipient?
Usually not. If you qualify under ECO4, energy suppliers fund the work, so there is usually nothing to pay upfront. There is no fee to apply and nothing to repay. If a contribution is ever needed, you are told before any work starts.
How long does it take to get a free boiler with Universal Credit?
Timescales depend on your survey, funding approval and installer availability. We confirm an installation date after your survey.
What documents do I need as a Universal Credit recipient?
You'll need a recent Universal Credit statement or award letter, photo ID, proof of address, and property ownership/tenancy documents. If you don't have an EPC certificate, we can arrange this as part of the assessment process.
Can Universal Credit recipients get other energy improvements?
Yes, the ECO4 scheme often includes additional measures like insulation, heating controls, and thermostatic radiator valves alongside boiler replacement. Our assessment will determine what improvements your property qualifies for.
Does it count if my partner gets Universal Credit, not me?
Yes. Ofgem's ECO4 delivery guidance lets a supplier fund work for anyone who lives at the same address as a person getting a qualifying benefit, so the claim does not have to be in the name of the person applying.
Will ECO4 work affect my Universal Credit payments?
ECO4 works are funded by energy suppliers and are not a payment made to you. If you are unsure how anything affects your claim, check with your work coach, Citizens Advice or the GOV.UK Universal Credit pages.
What if my landlord won't give permission?
In a privately rented home, funded work needs your landlord's written permission, so without it ECO4 measures cannot go ahead. Even with permission, Ofgem's guidance says a boiler repair or replacement on its own is generally not eligible in private rented homes.
Ready to Apply for Your Free Boiler?
Universal Credit is a qualifying benefit for ECO4, so you may be eligible for a free boiler replacement. Check your eligibility today.