As we move into the colder months, we want to make sure our referral partners are up to date with the support available through LEAP this winter.

Please share this information with colleagues and relevant organisations within your network so that we can reach more households who may need support.

The LEAP Boiler Scheme is now open.

Please note that the eligibility criteria have changed this year, so we encourage all referral partners to familiarise themselves with the updated requirements before referring a resident.

Who is eligible?

To be considered for support, residents must:

• Be a homeowner
• Have a broken boiler
• Either receive a means-tested benefit or have a total household income below £31,000
• Have someone living in the property who is aged 65 or over, or a child under 5
• Receive an energy advice home visit or telephone appointment
• Provide evidence confirming their eligibility before they can be referred to the scheme

What does the Boiler Scheme cover?

Funding is limited to the repair or replacement of the boiler only.

The scheme does not cover wider heating system improvements, including:

• Radiator replacements
• Pipework repairs or replacements
• Heating controls
• Other heating system upgrades

The appointed installer will carry out the approved boiler work and ensure the property has functioning heating and hot water. However, the installer will not be responsible for undertaking or funding additional repairs, replacements or improvements to the wider heating system.

Alongside energy advice, eligible residents may be considered for additional appliance support following an assessment by one of our Energy Advisors.

Heated Throws:

• Available following a home visit only
• Restricted to single-occupancy households

Heated Airers:

• Available following a home visit only
• Intended for households where residents would struggle to dry clothes indoors

Dehumidifiers:

• Available following a home visit only
• May be offered alongside a heated airer where there are issues with damp, mould or condensation
• Dehumidifiers are not available as a standalone appliance

Support through the Boiler Scheme and appliance offer is subject to the resident receiving an energy advice home visit, followed by an assessment from one of our Energy Advisors.

Support is not guaranteed. We therefore ask referral partners to manage residents’ expectations when discussing the support that may be available.

Referral Process

• Refer your client to us using the “General Referral Form”, found here: www.epplus.org.uk/referrals
• Please make sure on your referral that you select the option confirming the client is in a no heat situation, plus any vulnerability present in the home.
• Upon receipt of your referral we will check client eligibility for a LEAP home visit. It is only during the home visit that a LEAP assessor will register the client as being eligible for support through the LEAP Boiler Scheme. This cannot be actioned outside a home visit.

For further information, or to request an update on a referral you’ve submitted, please call our Save Energy Advice Line free on 0800 043 0151, or email us at advice@epplus.org

To refer yourself for consideration you can use the above contact details, or complete a “self-referral” by clicking here.