Local Authority Eligibility Flexibility (LA Flex) is part of the government-backed Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme that aims to help homes in the UK reduce their carbon footprint and lower their energy bills. LA Flex is intended for households that are at risk of fuel poverty due to a low income, but are not currently receiving any government benefits.
Usually, this is done by fully or part-funding the fitting of energy saving home improvements, such as different types of insulation, which will help low energy efficiency homes reduce their bills and carbon footprints. Thanks to local authority flexible eligibility, Local Authorities are now able to draft their own eligibility criteria. In a lot of cases, the eligibility criteria now take into account other factors outside of benefits, including illnesses, pregnancy, children in households, and if the residents are of an age that might make them vulnerable.
The LA Flex funding scheme still needs to define criteria that demonstrate residents are either living in fuel poverty or are on a low income and vulnerable. Local Authorities have the ability to use LA Flex to help homeowners and privately renting tenants receive funding for the installation of energy efficient home improvements to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions through a range of measures. However, LA Flex won’t be the right option for everyone as the funding is not applicable for social housing tenants.
Who Can Qualify For LA Flex?
Given that LA Flex gives Local Authorities the freedom to set their own eligibility criteria, there will be variations depending on what area you live in, so be sure to find out about the specific eligibility requirements for your area if you’re interested in applying.
What makes you eligible for LA Flex funding in one area, won’t in another. LA Flex allows local authorities the chance to tailor energy efficiency schemes to their local residents, helping them better target those in need in their area.
In general, however, LA Flex is aimed at two groups of people that are on low incomes:
1) Individuals that are living in fuel poverty – defined as homes spending a minimum of 10% of their net income on keeping their property warm.
2) People who are more exposed and at risk during cold winter weather including:
- Those with cardiovascular conditions
- Individuals with respiratory conditions
- People with disabilities
- People with mental health conditions or learning disabilities that restrict an individual’s ability to take care of themselves (including people with dementia)
- Older residents (age 65 and over)
- Homes with young children (age 0-5)
- Pregnant women
How Does The LA Flex Scheme Work?
LA Flex During ECO3
When ECO3 was active, energy companies were allowed to use the LA Flex extension to complete 25% of their obligation. This was a new element of the ECO scheme at the time and placed more importance on the route to the funding in comparison with previous phases of ECO.
LA Flex In ECO4
As a result of the success of LA Flex during ECO3, it has continued in place for the fourth and last phase of the ECO scheme launched in July 2022 with the ECO4 scheme, set to continue until the end of March 2026. The main difference between LA Flex under ECO3 and ECO4 is that energy companies will be able to use up to 50% of their obligation through LA Flex, which is double the amount they could use before.
What Energy Saving Measures Can Be Installed With LA Flex Funding?
There are a range of options open to you if you qualify for your council’s LA Flex scheme. Perhaps the cheapest option for any local authority (and therefore the most popular) is installing or upgrading an insulation measure at your home.
Upgraded or new cavity wall insulation or loft insulation for example, are cheap and incredibly efficient measures making it a go-to choice for many councils and authorities delivering the scheme to low income households who might not qualify for support through ECO4.
Other measures are available, too, such as installing an air source heat pump to replace an old gas boiler, or else more expensive insulation measures such as solid wall insulation. Solar panels are also possible.
Who Decides What Measures Will Be Installed?
Ultimately, an independent scheme assessor will decide which measures are appropriate for your home. In order to get there, though, you’ll need to find the right installers for you, which is where Free Insulation Scheme can help.
Reach Out Today
Get in touch with us today to find out if you could be eligible for free insulation funding (enter your postcode here) through LA Flex or ECO4. We’ll then put you in contact with a local insulation installer that can deliver your insulation measure on behalf of the scheme.
