The Warm Homes scheme began in July 2001. It is funded by the Department for Social Development and managed by Eaga Partnership. The Warm Home Scheme is aimed at private sector housing only, i.e. those who are owner occupiers or who rent their homes from private landlords. The insulation measures that are available under the scheme include:

• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Reflective Radiator Panels (solid walls only)
• Loft insulation
• Draught proofing to windows and doors
• Hot Water Tank Jackets
• Compact Fluorescent Lamps
• Energy Advice.

A grant of £750 is available for the installation of these measures. There are three main groups of householders who are eligible for the insulation measures. These include:

Householders of any age (the applicant or their spouse) who have a child under the age of 16 and who are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Housing Benefit
• Rate Rebate
• Income Support
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Child Tax Credit & NHS Tax Exemption Certificate 37 (can apply to children over the age of 16 and in full time education)
• Expectant mothers in receipt of a Maternity certificate (MAT B1) and one of the above benefits.

Householders under the age of sixty (the applicant or their spouse) who are in receipt of one or more of the following disability related benefits:

• Disability Living Allowance
• Housing Benefit (with Disability Premium)
• Rate Rebate (with Disability Premium
• Income Support (with Disability Premium)
• Working Tax Credit (with Disability Premium) & NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
• War Disablement Pension (with Mobility supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance)
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (with Constant Attendance Allowance).

Householders who are 60 years and over and are in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

• Rate Rebate
• Housing Benefit
• Pension Credit
• Income Based Job Seekers Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Working Tax Credit (with Disability Premium) & NHS Tax Exemption Certificate
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Pension (with Constant Attendance Allowance)
• War Disablement Pension (with Mobility Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance).

Warm Homes Plus

As well as the insulation measures, the last group of householders i.e. those 60 and over and who are in receipt of one of the specified benefits above are also eligible for the following heating measures:

• Conversion of an existing bottle gas, solid fuel central heating system or Economy 7 to oil or natural gas
• Installation of a new fully controllable, energy efficient oil or gas central heating system
• Repair/upgrade of an existing oil/natural gas central heating system.

*The total grant available in this instance for both insulation and heating measures is £3,700.

For more information or to register on the Warm Homes Scheme, please contact:

EAGA Partnership
Freephone 0800 181 667

*If a property requires more than the maximum grant, this is taken from the Energy Efficiency Programme administered by Northern Ireland Electricity so householders do not have to make any financial contribution.