If you are having issues paying for heating oil, you may be able to get help via the Crisis and Resilience Fund, which is administered for the whole of Essex by Southend City Council.
Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) is a government-funded programme in England worth £500 million, running from 2025 to 2028.
The grant supports EPC D to G low-income homes to reduce bills and carbon emissions. It replaces the previous ECO and Eco Flex 4 schemes which end in March 2026.
You can find out more about the WHLG on the GOV.UK website.
You can use the Warm Homes Local Grant for:
- solar PV
- electric storage heaters
- air source heat pumps
- low carbon heating upgrades
- first time central heating
- loft insulation
- cavity wall insulation
- ventilation upgrades alongside other works
Eligibility criteria
You may be eligible for the scheme if you are:
- an owner, occupier or private tenant with an EPC rating of D to G
- a household on income under £36,000
- receiving certain benefits
- a resident living in specific postcodes that fall within the bottom 20% of average household income in the UK
- on ECO Flex route 2, which is a combination of two low-income or health proxies. More information is available on the Energy Advice Helpline website
If you are a private landlord, you can also apply. Your first property is fully funded, with a 50% contribution required for any additional homes.
How to apply
You can apply for funding through the Heat Essex website.