You can get a boiler grant on Universal Credit if you also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit
Compared to paying for a new gas boiler out of pocket, typically £1,500 to £3,500, a boiler grant could reduce your cost to zero. The main UK boiler grant scheme is the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4). Universal Credit alone does not guarantee eligibility, you must also receive an additional qualifying benefit such as Income Support, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit (GOV.UK, 2026).
Yes, you can get a boiler grant on Universal Credit if you also receive a qualifying benefit like Income Support or Pension Credit. The grant covers the full cost of a new boiler (£1,800–£3,000) but only if your existing boiler is broken beyond repair.
- Universal Credit alone does not guarantee a boiler grant you must also receive a qualifying benefit like Pension Credit or Child Tax Credit.
- The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing.
- Without a grant a new boiler costs £1,800 to £3,000 but eligible households can get one for £0.
- A new boiler can save you £120 to £200 per year on energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust.
- Installation typically takes one day once your application is approved and an engineer is scheduled.
- You can get a boiler grant on Universal Credit if you also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit
- The scheme covers a new boiler only if your existing one is broken beyond repair
- Quick numbers, typical boiler grant costs and savings
- Eligibility, you must meet household income, property, and installer rules
- How to verify an installer, check MCS certification and TrustMark registration
- The direct answer, yes, but only if your boiler is beyond repair and you meet all qualifying criteria
- What the grant does not cover, extras you may still need to pay for
- How to apply, contact your energy supplier or a government-approved referral partner
If your Universal Credit includes a disability or health element, or if your household income is below a specific threshold, you may still qualify under ECO4. The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) publishes the full list of qualifying benefits and income rules (DESNZ, 2026).
The scheme covers a new boiler only if your existing one is broken beyond repair
ECO4 and GBIS prioritise whole-house energy-efficiency improvements, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, and heating controls, before a boiler replacement. A boiler replacement is only funded when the existing boiler is “irreparable” and cannot be serviced or repaired (Ofgem ECO4 guidance, 2026).
If your boiler is still working but inefficient, you will not qualify for a full replacement grant under ECO4. The scheme is designed for homes where the heating system has failed completely and cannot be fixed by a Gas Safe registered engineer (Gas Safe Register, 2026).
Quick numbers, typical boiler grant costs and savings
| Item | Typical amount | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average new boiler cost without grant | £1,800–£3,000 | Energy Saving Trust, 2026 |
| Average grant-funded boiler cost | £0 for eligible households | GOV.UK, 2026 |
| Average annual energy bill saving after new boiler | £120–£200 | Energy Saving Trust, 2026 |
| Typical installation time | 1 day | Ofgem, 2026 |
Eligibility, you must meet household income, property, and installer rules
Your household must have a gross annual income below £31,000 (for ECO4) or be on a qualifying benefit (GOV.UK, 2026). The property must be owner-occupied or privately rented (with landlord permission) and have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G (GOV.UK, 2026).
You must use an MCS-certified installer who is registered with TrustMark and approved by your energy supplier (MCS, 2026; TrustMark, 2026). If you rent, your landlord must agree to the work and the property must meet the minimum EPC rating requirements.
How to verify an installer, check MCS certification and TrustMark registration
The installer must be registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) for boiler installations under ECO4 (MCS, 2026). They must also hold TrustMark accreditation, which covers consumer protection and quality standards (TrustMark, 2026).
You can verify both on the MCS and TrustMark websites before signing any contract. Ofgem requires all ECO4 installers to hold both certifications (Ofgem, 2026).
Yes, but only if your boiler is beyond repair and you meet all qualifying criteria
If you are on Universal Credit and your boiler has failed completely and cannot be fixed, you are likely eligible for a boiler grant under ECO4 (GOV.UK, 2026). You must not have another working central heating system in the property (Ofgem, 2026).
The grant covers the full cost of a new A-rated gas boiler and installation, provided you use an approved installer. If your boiler is repairable, you will not qualify for a grant-funded replacement. How to check if your boiler is repairable or needs replacement
What the grant does not cover, extras you may still need to pay for
The grant covers the boiler unit, standard installation, and basic controls (thermostat, timer) (Ofgem, 2026). It does not cover additional radiators, pipework upgrades, or smart heating controls unless they are part of the whole-house package.
If your property needs major structural work to accommodate the boiler, that cost is your responsibility. Installer terms and conditions will list any excluded items before work begins. What to look for in a boiler installer contract
How to apply, contact your energy supplier or a government-approved referral partner
Start by contacting your gas or electricity supplier, they are obligated to offer ECO4 measures to eligible customers (GOV.UK, 2026). You can also use the GOV.UK “Find an ECO installer” tool or call the Simple Energy Advice service (0800 444 202) (GOV.UK, 2026).
The supplier will arrange a free home survey to assess your property and confirm eligibility before any work begins (Ofgem, 2026). The survey checks your boiler condition, EPC rating, and household income against the qualifying criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can get a boiler grant on Universal Credit if you also receive a qualifying means-tested benefit such as Income Support, Pension Credit, or Child Tax Credit. Universal Credit alone does not guarantee eligibility under the ECO4 scheme (GOV.UK, 2026).
Qualifying benefits include Income Support, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit, and Universal Credit with a disability or health element. The full list is published by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ, 2026).
A working but inefficient boiler does not qualify (Ofgem ECO4 guidance, 2026).
A new gas boiler typically costs between £1,800 and £3,000 including installation, according to the Energy Saving Trust (2026). With a grant, eligible households pay £0.
Installation usually takes one day once an approved engineer is scheduled. The process from application to installation can take several weeks depending on your energy supplier and local installer availability (Ofgem, 2026).
