A guide to how councils can refer households for energy-efficiency help under ECO4, and what happened to the similar route under the Great British Insulation Scheme.
Local Authority Flex (LA Flex), also called ECO4 Flex, is the route through which councils (and the Scottish and Welsh governments) can refer low-income or vulnerable households who aren’t on qualifying benefits for help under ECO4. Suppliers can also refer some households in fuel debt.
ECO4 Flex is part of ECO4, so it ends with ECO4 on 31 December 2026. Consumer Rights can no longer help with ECO4 applications. The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) also had a flexible route, which ended when GBIS closed on 31 March 2026.
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How LA Flex Works
ECO4 requires larger energy suppliers to fund energy-efficiency improvements, such as insulation and heating upgrades. The main way in is through qualifying benefits. LA Flex widens that by letting councils refer households that don’t claim those benefits but are still on a low income or vulnerable to the cold.
The council doesn’t pay for the work. It decides which households to refer, and the cost is funded through energy suppliers under ECO4. Ofgem says ECO “is not a grant scheme”: suppliers decide what they fund, you may be asked to contribute, and being referred doesn’t guarantee an installation.
Who Can Be Referred Through LA Flex?
Each council publishes a Statement of Intent setting out the criteria it uses, so the details vary by area. Councils typically focus on:
- low-income households facing high energy costs
- people whose health may be made worse by living in a cold home
What about GBIS Flex?
The Great British Insulation Scheme had its own flexible route, mainly for single insulation measures. It ended with GBIS on 31 March 2026.
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What Can You Get Under LA Flex?
A household referred through LA Flex can be considered for the same kinds of measures as other ECO4 households, such as insulation and heating upgrades, if a supplier agrees to fund them.
Why LA Flex Exists
Many households don’t receive benefits but are still struggling. LA Flex exists because:
- not all fuel-poor households claim or qualify for benefits
- it allows more targeted support based on local knowledge
- it brings in health referrals, so cold-related illness can be taken into account
What You Can Do Now
LA Flex ends with ECO4 on 31 December 2026, and Consumer Rights can no longer help with ECO4 applications. Instead:
- You can apply for a free home battery or register your interest in the free home battery scheme.
- In England, look at the Warm Homes: Local Grant, which is delivered by councils.
- Thinking about a heat pump? See the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (England and Wales).
- Compare all home energy grants or browse our grants and funding hub.
Already had work done under ECO4 or GBIS and something has gone wrong? See our guide to ECO4 complaints.
ECO4 Support Available:
- Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy: Energy Company Obligation
- Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Guidance: Delivery V1.1
- Ofgem: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- UK Government: Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
- Which?: Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
Other Support Available: