Air Source Heat Pump Grants in Wales

You could qualify for a free heat pump grant in Wales if you meet all three of the conditions below:

• You own or privately rent your property (not from a local authority or housing association)
• You struggle to heat your home and it is expensive to do so
• You or someone in your  household receives a means-tested benefit or has a chronic respiratory, circulatory, or mental health condition and has an income below the outlined thresholds

The means-tested benefits that are eligible are:

• Child Tax Credit (income lower than £16,105 a year)
• Council Tax Reduction (exemption and discount won’t be eligible on their own)
• Housing Benefit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Working Tax Credit (income below £16,105 a year)

Health eligibility criteria

As well as the most recent criteria for people receiving a means-tested benefit, the new health criteria for free heat pumps in Wales are:

Someone in your household needs to:

• Be living with a chronic respiratory, circulatory, or mental health condition. These include respiratory disease (infections, broncho-constriction in asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), circulatory disease (such as cardio-vascular disease, strokes, and heart attacks), and mental health issues (including depression, anxiety, psychosis, and bipolar disorders, dementia, and intellectual and developmental disorders)
• Be living on a low income that is less than the defined thresholds

Evidence of a health condition

You will be required to show evidence of your health condition by providing a prescription, medication package, treatment plan, or GP/hospital appointment or referral letter. This evidence will not need to be given in advance. If you qualify for a heat pump grant, the evidence will be checked by an assessor when they visit your property.

Income thresholds for health eligibility

The income thresholds for most customers are detailed below. These are based on your total household income after mortgage/rental payments.

 
Some people, who spend longer than average time at home, are at higher risk during colder months. This could include:

• Older individuals (aged 75 and over)
• Families with young children (aged five or younger)
• Individuals with disabilities (defined as a person with a mental or physical impairment, which has a significant and long-term negative effect on the person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities)

For these homeowners who live with a qualifying health condition, the income threshold increases to £21,352 after housing costs with savings of no more than £16,000 for older people that are aged 75 and over.

 
Evidence

On top of the health condition evidence detailed above, you can prove your eligibility for the extra income threshold by providing a discretionary/disabled bus pass, blue badge, or be registered with the local authority through section 18 of the Social Services and Well-being (Wales) Act 2014. This evidence will be examined by the assessor when they visit your home.