This statement sets out our flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 to March 2026.
The ECO4 scheme will focus on supporting low income and vulnerable households. The scheme will improve the least energy efficient homes helping to meet the government's fuel poverty and net zero commitments.
The flexible approach for local authorities (LAs) to identifying fuel poor and vulnerable households who may benefit from heating and energy saving measures is referred to as 'ECO4 Flex'.
We welcome the introduction of the ECO4 Flex eligibility routes as it helps us achieve our plans to improve the homes of those in fuel poverty or vulnerable to the cold.
The statement of intent covers all of the following district council areas:
- Amber Valley Borough Council
- Bolsover District Council
- Chesterfield Borough Council
- Derbyshire Dales District Council
- Erewash Borough Council
- High Peak Borough Council
- North East Derbyshire District Council
- South Derbyshire District Council
This statement of intent does not cover Derby City Council.
We're publishing this statement of intent (SoI), on 1 September 2022 to confirm that each of the households declared will adhere to at least one of the 4 available routes outlined.
Route 1
SAP bands D-G households with a gross annual income less than £31,000. This cap applies irrespective of the property size, composition, or region.
Route 2
SAP bands E-G households that meet a combination of 2 of the following proxies.
Proxy 1
Homes in England in Lower-layer Super Output Area 1-3 (LSOA), or homes in Welsh provision LSOA 1-3 on the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation 2019, or the Index of Multiple Deprivation for 2020, published by the Scottish government.
Proxy 2
Householders receiving a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates).
Proxy 3
Householders vulnerable to living in a cold home as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance NG6 Published 5 March 2015. Only one from the list can be used, excludes the proxy 'low income'.
Proxy 4
A householder receiving free school meals due to low-income.
Proxy 5
A householder supported by an LA run scheme, that has been named and described by the LA as supporting low income and vulnerable households for the purposes of NICE guideline.
Proxy 6
A household referred to the LA for support by their energy supplier or Citizen's Advice or Citizen's Advice Scotland, because they have been identified as struggling to pay their electricity and gas bills.
Proxies 1 and 3, and 1 and 5 cannot be used together.
Route 3
SAP bands D-G households that have been identified by their doctor or GP as low-income and vulnerable, with an occupant whose health conditions may be impacted further by living in a cold home. These health conditions may be cardiovascular, respiratory, immunosuppressed, or limited mobility related.
This is because we have identified a positive correlation between households who suffer from long-term health conditions and living off a low-income, with living in poorly insulated homes.
Route 4
SAP band D-G households that are referred under route 4: bespoke targeting. Suppliers and LAs can submit an application to BEIS where they have identified a low income and vulnerable household, who are not already eligible under the exiting routes.
Declaration and evidence check confirmation
All potentially eligible households should apply through us to ensure that they can either benefit from the scheme or be assessed for eligibility under any other relevant programme.
The following officer will be responsible for checking and verifying declarations and associated evidence submitted on behalf of the local authority:
CEO or dedicated responsible person mandatory signature
We will administer the scheme according to BEIS' ECO4 Order and will identify eligible households via Ofgem's application process. Our CEO will oversee the process of identifying eligible households under ECO4 Flex. The eligibility information will be stored securely in line with our data protection policy, Information Commissioner's Office data sharing code, and BEIS guidance.
Alice Sanghera, group manager, contracting and compliance, adult social care and health, 1 September 2022.
Contact us
For any general enquires relating to this SoI, please contact Bill Purvis, email bill.purvis@derbyshire.gov.uk