UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / June 25, 2025 /

Energy Saving Genie is urging those living with health conditions to check whether they qualify for support under UK energy-saving grant schemes. Help is available for people living with long-term illnesses or vulnerabilities that can be made worse by cold conditions, yet many don’t realise that they qualify for financial assistance, missing out on opportunities to live more comfortably. 

Government-backed initiatives such as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) provide fully funded upgrades to help improve household energy efficiency for those with health conditions. This includes insulation measures like cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as whole-home solutions such as replacing old heating systems. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware that they’re eligible for support. 

A major reason for this, according to Energy Saving Genie, is confusion surrounding the criteria. Ofgem outlines broad eligibility categories such as respiratory disease and cardiovascular conditions, but fails to offer a comprehensive list of qualifying health issues. As a result, many people do not see their condition reflected in the guidance and assume they don’t qualify. 

“The health criteria may look narrow at first glance, but in reality, a huge number of people qualify through a wide range of conditions, from mobility issues to chronic pain,” explains Kate Hallewell, Founder of Energy Saving Genie. “Any Registered GP can make the referral, and it’s entirely up to them to judge whether someone’s condition fits within the recognised categories. If a GP is willing to make that call, and the applicant’s council is issuing declarations, we can usually help progress the grant application from there.”

Energy Saving Genie has successfully helped applicants living with a wide variety of conditions including Raynaud’s Disease, mobility issues, hypothyroidism, and arthritis. One applicant, a young woman living with anorexia, was told by her installer that she didn’t qualify. After contacting Energy Saving Genie, she received a referral from her practitioner under the immunosuppression umbrella term and was approved for insulation measures that improved her home.

To help improve awareness of health-related support schemes, Energy Saving Genie’s free online grant checker includes targeted prompts asking about common - but often overlooked - conditions such as asthma, chronic pain, and mobility. These prompts are designed to help people consider the full scope of their situation and encourage them to explore grant eligibility, even if their condition appears to be unrelated to energy use at first glance.

Both ECO4 and GBIS use the same health-related eligibility criteria. This means that if a household qualifies under one scheme, they automatically qualify for the other, giving applicants the best possible chance of securing vital home upgrades that could reduce bills and improve wellbeing, comfort, and safety. 

For more information and to see if you may be eligible for financial assistance, check out Energy Saving Genie’s free online grant checker: energysavinggenie.co.uk/ECO4-Grant-Checker/quiz-home.html