Assistance and grants

Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2, SHINE London, Energy Company Obligation

If you’re struggling to keep your home warm or to afford your energy bills, you might be able to take advantage of certain grants and support offered by the government and energy suppliers. 

See also our Here to Help page giving information on help and support including benefits and financial help, employment, housing and mental health.

Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) project

We have partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Everwarm to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to homes through the local Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) project.

HUG2 is a government-funded scheme that aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes across England. One hundred percent funding is available for eligible householders who own their property.

The scheme can fund energy efficiency improvements including:

  • wall, loft and floor insulation
  • low carbon heating
  • solar panels

Find out if you are eligible and make an initial application on the Everwarm website.

SHINE London

Haringey has partnered with the SHINE London energy advice service to help residents keep well and warm and reduce the anxiety of paying for large fuel bills.

Referrals are accepted for any vulnerable resident but particularly important are:

  • those aged over 65
  • those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease
  • those with other long term limiting illness
  • low income families with children
  • households spending 10% or more of their income on energy

Following a discussion with a Shine London representative, vulnerable residents can benefit from services including:

  • advice on saving energy and grants available for heating and insulation
  • support with bills and energy debt
  • 'Energy Doctor in the Home' home visiting service
  • benefit checks 
  • falls assessments
  • telecare applications
  • fire safety checks (from London Fire Brigade)
  • home security checks (from the police)
  • air quality alerts for people with respiratory diseases (from airTEXT)
  • stop smoking services
  • London Taxicard

Contact SHINE

You can make a referral to Shine online, by phone or email.

Visit the Shine website to see all the contact options.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. There are two streams to this funding:

The affordable warmth obligation

This provides help for people who might be vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home, like pensioners or young children. You are eligible under this aspect of ECO if you receive at least one of the following benefits and satisfy the relevant income requirements, where applicable:

  • Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
  • Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
  • Income support
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Tax Credits (on certain conditions)
  • Universal Credit (on certain conditions)

There is also a Flexible Eligibility element. This allows the council to set criteria to direct assistance towards local private sector homes at risk of fuel poverty, but falling outside of the normal rules of ECO. 

For assistance to apply for this funding please contact Shine London.

Carbon emissions reduction obligation

Your energy supplier could help you financially with:

  • insulating solid walls that might need cladding on either the inside or outside (usually on older buildings)
  • cavity wall insulation for homes built after the 1930s
  • loft insulation
  • connections to district heating systems
  • double glazing
  • draught proofing

Contact the Energy Saving Advice Service in England on 0300 123 1234 if you have questions about the scheme and whether you are eligible.

Contact the affordable warmth team