About the scheme
Staffordshire County Council is delivering the Warmer Homes: Local Grant (WH:LG) scheme to help eligible residents make their homes warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.
The scheme has funding to support around 284 homes between now and March 2028. As funding is limited, not everyone who applies will receive support.
Government guidance from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) allows councils to prioritise applications based on need rather than on a first come, first served basis.
How we decide who gets support
Our aim is to help the households most affected by living in cold homes.
There are 3 ways a household can qualify for the scheme. Applications will be prioritised in the following order:
Priority 1: Pathway 2
Households where:
- someone receives a means tested benefit
- someone has poor health
- the household is experiencing financial hardship
Priority 2: Pathway 3
Households with a low income after housing costs have been paid, even if there are no health conditions.
Priority 3: Pathway 1
Households living in areas that are among the 20% most income deprived in England, based on postcode, but without additional evidence of low income or vulnerability.
Additional prioritisation rules
From September 2026, the following additional rules apply.
1. Immediate crisis
Applications will be given the highest priority where a professional referral shows that:
- the household is facing an immediate financial, health or social care crisis
- installing an energy efficiency measure or low carbon heating is likely to help address that crisis
For example, a home with severe mould that is affecting a child under 5, where insulation or ventilation improvements could help.
These cases will be fast tracked wherever possible. Households may also be referred to the Crisis and Resilience Fund for additional support.
2. Poor health
Within Pathway 2 and Pathway 3, priority will be given to households where someone has a health condition that is known to be made worse by living in a cold home, as identified in NICE guideline NG6.
This takes priority over the income rule described below because of the impact cold homes can have on health and social care services.
3. Underrepresented areas
To make sure funding is distributed fairly across Staffordshire, some applications may be prioritised to improve delivery in districts or boroughs that have received a lower share of funding than expected.
4. Higher household incomes
Some households applying through Pathway 2 may have incomes above the limits used for Pathway 3.
These households will not receive priority and will only be considered if there are not enough remaining eligible applications from higher priority Pathway 2 and Pathway 3 households.
This approach follows guidance from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
How applications are managed
Community Home Solutions manages applications on behalf of Staffordshire County Council. They will:
- check eligibility
- assess applications using the prioritisation approach set out above
- work with council delivery teams to monitor progress and outcomes
The process will be monitored regularly and formally reviewed every six months to make sure it remains fair and effective.
Further information
Find out more about the Staffordshire Warmer Homes