What is LA Flex Eligibility?
LA Flex (Local Authority Flexible Eligibility) is Route 2 of the ECO4 scheme, allowing local councils to approve households for free energy efficiency improvements using flexible criteria beyond standard benefit requirements. Unlike Route 1 which requires specific government benefits, LA Flex considers household income, vulnerability factors, and property conditions to help working families and vulnerable households not on qualifying benefits.
No Benefits Required
Route 1 requires qualifying benefits like Pension Credit or Universal Credit. LA Flex doesn't - it uses income thresholds and vulnerability assessments instead.
Council Discretion
Each Local Authority sets its own LA Flex criteria within government guidelines, meaning eligibility varies by region.
Additional Documentation
LA Flex requires income proof (bank statements, payslips) and may need vulnerability evidence (medical letters, property EPC).
LA Flex Income Thresholds 2025
Understanding income thresholds is crucial for LA Flex eligibility. While each Local Authority sets its own criteria, most follow standard guidelines established by the UK government and energy regulator Ofgem.
£31,000
Annual Gross Income
Before tax deductions
All income sources included
Lower in some regions (£25k-£28k)
£38,000
Combined Annual Income
All household adults combined
London may be higher (£42k)
Children's income not counted
Important Income Calculation Note
Income thresholds use GROSS income (before tax). Include all sources: employment, pensions, rental income, investment returns. Do NOT include benefits like Universal Credit, Child Benefit, or PIP - these are supplementary and don't count toward income thresholds.
LA Flex Eligibility Criteria
Beyond income thresholds, LA Flex considers multiple factors. The more criteria you meet, the stronger your application becomes. Local Authorities use a holistic assessment approach.
Household Income Assessment
Total gross income below your Local Authority's threshold. Most councils use £31k single / £38k couples as baseline. Evidence required: 3-6 months bank statements, payslips, pension statements, P60 or tax return.
Fuel Poverty Indicators
Spending >10% of income on energy bills, cold-related health issues, inability to heat home adequately, use of pre-payment meter, energy debt, or living in fuel poverty as defined by Low Income High Costs (LIHC) metric.
Income Volatility
Irregular income patterns, recent redundancy, reduced working hours, zero-hours contracts, seasonal work, or transition between employment affecting financial stability and heating affordability.
LA Flex Application Process: Step-by-Step
The LA Flex application process involves multiple stages with specific documentation requirements. Following this exact process increases approval chances and reduces processing delays.
Initial Eligibility Check
Contact ECO4 installer (like Free Boiler Upgrade) to verify basic eligibility. Provide postcode, property type, household composition, rough income estimate. Installer conducts preliminary assessment and confirms LA Flex suitability.
Document Collection
Gather required documents: 3-6 months bank statements (all accounts), recent payslips or pension statements, council tax bill, utility bill for proof of address, government-issued photo ID, property ownership proof (title deeds or mortgage statement), current EPC certificate.
LA Flex Declaration Form
Complete Local Authority declaration form with installer assistance. Declare household income, composition, vulnerabilities. Sign consent for data sharing with Local Authority. Installer verifies information accuracy and completeness.
Local Authority Review
Council reviews application against their specific LA Flex criteria. May request additional documentation or clarification. Assesses income, vulnerability factors, property conditions. Performs means-testing and eligibility verification.
Statement of Intent (SOI)
If approved, Local Authority issues SOI - official confirmation of ECO4 eligibility. SOI valid for specific period (typically 6-12 months). Contains installation authorization and funding confirmation. Installer receives copy to proceed.
Property Survey
Certified surveyor visits property to assess current heating system, insulation levels, structural suitability. Identifies optimal measures (boiler, insulation, controls). Creates retrofit plan meeting ECO4 standards. Survey typically 1-2 hours.
Installation Planning
Installer creates detailed installation plan based on survey. Orders equipment and materials. Schedules installation team. Obtains necessary permissions if required (conservation areas, listed buildings). Confirms installation date with householder.
Installation & Completion
Professional installation of approved measures. Typically 1 day for boiler, additional days for insulation. Quality checks and compliance verification. Handover with operation instructions. Post-installation EPC assessment. 10-year warranty provided.
Required Documentation Checklist
Comprehensive documentation is essential for LA Flex approval. Missing or incomplete documents are the leading cause of application delays and rejections. Prepare these documents before starting your application.
Pro Tip: Document Organization
Create a digital folder with clearly named files: "BankStatements_Oct-Dec2024.pdf", "Payslips_2024.pdf", "EPC_Certificate.pdf". Keep physical copies in a single folder. This speeds up application and reduces missing document delays.
Average approval with complete docs:
85%
Average approval with incomplete docs:
45%
Answer a few questions to see if you qualify for LA Flex funding