What Your Council Tax Band Meant — and What Replaces It
Until 31 March 2026, a home in council tax bands A–D (A–E in Scotland and Wales) qualified for free insulation through the Great British Insulation Scheme — no benefits needed. GBIS has now closed to new applications. The main routes still open are ECO4 (worth £5,000-£15,000 in free improvements if you receive a qualifying benefit) and LA Flex, which lets your council refer you into ECO4 funding without benefits.
Key fact: the council tax band route (GBIS) closed on 31 March 2026. If your home is in bands A–D and you do not claim benefits, LA Flex is now the main no-benefits route — your council can refer you into ECO4 based on low income, health conditions, or a poor EPC rating.
Grants for Homes in Council Tax Bands A–D (2026)
| Scheme | What You Get | Cost to You |
|---|---|---|
| ECO4 | Free insulation, boilers, heat pumps (qualifying benefit needed) | £0 |
| LA Flex | ECO4 measures without benefits, via your council | £0 |
| GBIS | Closed to new applications 31 March 2026 | — |
| Warm Home Discount | £150 off electricity bill | £0 |
| Household Support Fund | Help with energy bills (via council) | £0 |
ECO4 — What You Can Get
If you receive a qualifying benefit — or your council refers you through LA Flex — you can access all ECO4 measures, provided your home has an EPC rating of D or below. Available improvements include:
- Loft insulation — save up to £590/year on energy bills
- Cavity wall insulation — save up to £395/year
- Solid wall insulation (internal or external) — save up to £475/year
- Boiler replacement — new A-rated condensing boiler
- Air source heat pump — low-carbon heating system
- Room-in-roof insulation — for converted lofts
- Underfloor insulation — for suspended timber floors
- First-time central heating — if you've never had central heating
How to Apply for ECO4
- Check eligibility online — use our free checker (60 seconds)
- Provide proof of eligibility — a recent benefits award letter, or your council's LA Flex declaration if you are applying without benefits
- Home survey — a surveyor visits to assess your property (1-2 weeks)
- Receive recommendation — you're told which measures you qualify for
- Installation — work is carried out by TrustMark-registered installers (1-3 days)
The entire process takes 4-8 weeks from application to completion.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The Great British Insulation Scheme was the scheme built around council tax bands. GBIS closed to new applications on 31 March 2026. While it was open, it provided free insulation through two pathways:
- Benefits pathway: for households on qualifying benefits
- Council tax band pathway: if your home is in bands A-D (no benefits needed)
GBIS covered loft insulation and cavity wall insulation before it closed. If you missed it, LA Flex and ECO4 are the live routes to the same measures in 2026.
Warm Home Discount
Regardless of your council tax band, you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount — a £150 one-off credit applied to your electricity bill between October and March. Eligibility is based on a combination of your income, energy costs, and property characteristics. If you qualify, your energy supplier will contact you — you don't need to apply separately.
Household Support Fund
Your local council may offer additional energy bill support through the Household Support Fund. This can include one-off payments towards gas and electricity bills. Contact your council directly to find out what's available in your area — eligibility varies by council.
What Documents Do You Need?
- Benefits award letter — if applying through the benefits route (LA Flex applicants: your council confirms eligibility instead)
- Proof of address — utility bill or council tax bill
- Landlord permission — if you're a private tenant (your landlord must consent to the work)