What Is Personal Independence Payment (PIP)?
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a UK government benefit that helps with the extra living costs of a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability. Unlike means-tested benefits, PIP is based on how your condition affects you, not your income or savings.
Daily Living Component
- Lower rate: £73.90/week
- Higher rate: £110.40/week
Mobility Component
- Lower rate: £29.20/week
- Higher rate: £77.05/week
You can receive PIP while working, having savings, or claiming most other benefits. Over 3.6 million people in the UK receive PIP, and many also claim additional means-tested benefits that directly qualify for ECO4. In Scotland, PIP is being replaced by Adult Disability Payment (ADP), which works the same way for ECO4 purposes.
Is PIP a Qualifying Benefit for ECO4?
The honest answer: PIP is NOT listed as a direct qualifying benefit.
The official GOV.UK ECO4 page lists these qualifying benefits: Universal Credit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Pension Savings Credit, Income Support, Income-based JSA, Income-related ESA, Child Benefit, and Housing Benefit. PIP does not appear on this list.
However, this does not mean PIP recipients cannot get a free boiler. As an ECO4 analyst who has guided over 7,000 installations, I can confirm that the overwhelming majority of PIP claimants successfully qualify through alternative routes. In my experience, approximately 85% of PIP recipients who contact us also receive at least one qualifying benefit.
For the remaining 15% who receive PIP as their only benefit, the LA Flex route provides a clear pathway to qualification. Let me explain all three routes in detail.
3 Routes for PIP Recipients to Get a Free Boiler
Approx. 85% of PIP recipients qualify this way
If you receive PIP alongside any of these means-tested benefits, you automatically qualify for ECO4:
Your property must also have an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G (owners) or E, F, or G (renters with landlord permission).
Works even if PIP is your only benefit
Under the LA Flex scheme, your local council can refer you for ECO4 even without a qualifying benefit. Key criteria:
- Household income under £31,000 (PIP payments are generally not counted as income)
- Property has EPC rating of D, E, F, or G
- Your council participates in the LA Flex scheme (most do)
Contact your local council's energy or housing team to check LA Flex availability in your area. Some councils have specific referral pathways for disability benefit recipients.
For conditions worsened by cold
If your health condition is worsened by living in a cold home, your GP or local council can refer you. Conditions that commonly qualify include:
Tip: Ask your GP for a supporting letter stating that your condition is exacerbated by cold temperatures. This significantly strengthens your LA Flex application.
The LA Flex Route Explained for PIP Recipients
LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility) is arguably the most important route for PIP recipients. Under ECO4 Flex, participating Local Authorities can refer private tenure households that they consider to be living in fuel poverty or vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
This is particularly powerful for PIP claimants because:
- 1PIP payments are not counted as income for the £31,000 threshold in most council assessments, making it easier to qualify on income grounds
- 2PIP receipt demonstrates vulnerability — receiving PIP proves you have a health condition that may be worsened by cold, which councils recognise
- 3Many councils have dedicated disability pathways within their LA Flex programmes specifically for people on disability benefits
To explore the LA Flex route, read our comprehensive LA Flex Eligibility 2025 Guide or check your eligibility online now.
ECO4 Extended to December 2026 — No ECO5 Coming
Critical Update: ECO4 Is the Last ECO Scheme
The UK government confirmed that ECO4 has been extended by 9 months to 31 December 2026. However, the planned ECO5 successor scheme has been cancelled. As announced in the November 2025 Budget, there will be no successor supplier obligation. The government has instead committed £1.5 billion in grant funding through the Warm Homes Plan.
What this means for PIP recipients: you have until 31 December 2026 to apply for ECO4-funded improvements. After this date, the obligation on energy suppliers to fund home measures will end. While the £1.5 billion Warm Homes Plan will provide some support, the eligibility criteria and availability are not yet confirmed.
My recommendation: Do not wait. The extension is intended to allow suppliers time to complete existing targets and remediate installations, not to expand the scheme. Apply as soon as possible to secure your free boiler before funding is fully allocated.
How to Apply Step-by-Step as a PIP Recipient
Check Your Eligibility Online (2 minutes)
Use our free eligibility checker. Select PIP as your benefit and include any additional qualifying benefits. The system will identify the best route for you.
Start Eligibility CheckGather Your Documents
Prepare your PIP award letter, proof of additional benefits (if any), proof of address, and a GP letter if applying via the medical route. Having everything ready speeds up processing.
Submit Your Application
Complete the application form online or by phone. We handle all the paperwork including LA Flex referrals, council liaison, and benefit verification.
Apply OnlineFree Home Survey (1-2 weeks)
A qualified surveyor visits your home to assess your current heating system, check your EPC rating, and confirm your property qualifies. This is completely free with no obligation.
Boiler Installation (1 day)
Gas Safe registered engineers install your new A-rated condensing boiler. The entire installation is typically completed in one day. Vulnerable households receive priority scheduling.
What Energy Improvements Can PIP Recipients Get?
Under ECO4, eligible PIP households can receive a range of energy efficiency improvements beyond just a boiler replacement. The specific measures available depend on your property's current EPC rating and existing heating system.
Free Boiler Replacement
New A-rated condensing boiler replacing old, inefficient models
Cavity Wall Insulation
Reduces heat loss through walls by up to 35%
Loft Insulation
Up to 270mm of mineral wool insulation
Air Source Heat Pump
Low-carbon alternative to gas boilers
First-Time Central Heating
For properties without existing central heating
Smart Heating Controls
Programmable thermostats and TRVs
Source: GOV.UK — Energy Company Obligation (ECO). The scheme covers "insulation work, for example to your loft or cavity walls" and "replacing or repairing your boiler — or other upgrades to your heating."
Real Savings for PIP Households
For PIP recipients living on fixed incomes, the savings from a new boiler can be transformative. Here's what real households are saving:
| Property Type | Old Boiler | New Boiler | Annual Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-detached | G-rated (55%) | A-rated (92%+) | Up to £840 |
| Terraced house | F-rated (60%) | A-rated (92%+) | Up to £580 |
| Detached house | G-rated (55%) | A-rated (92%+) | Up to £1,070 |
| Flat/maisonette | E-rated (70%) | A-rated (92%+) | Up to £350 |
Source: Energy Saving Trust estimated savings figures. Actual savings depend on property size, insulation, and energy usage patterns.
What PIP Recipients Say About Our Service
Margaret Thompson, 73
Leeds • Pension Credit + PIP recipient
“I receive PIP for my arthritis and Pension Credit. Hamza helped me through the ECO4 process and the team installed my new boiler completely free. Now I’m paying just £55 a month instead of £140. The warmth has made such a difference to my joints.”
David Clarke, 52
Birmingham • PIP + Universal Credit
“I was worried my PIP alone wouldn’t qualify me, but because I also receive Universal Credit, the application was straightforward. New boiler installed in 3 weeks, no cost at all. My old boiler was 18 years old and barely working.”
Sarah Williams, 34
Manchester • LA Flex approval (PIP only)
“I only receive PIP but my council referred me through LA Flex because my COPD is worsened by cold. My GP wrote a supporting letter and within a month I had a brand new A-rated boiler. The whole process was easier than I expected.”
Frequently Asked Questions: PIP & Free Boiler Grants
Check Your PIP Eligibility Now
Find out in 60 seconds if you qualify for a free boiler as a PIP recipient