AWARM is a fuel poverty service, providing advice and support to help you stay healthy, safe and warm at home - find out more about AWARM.
To be eligible for AWARM you need to meet one of the following requirements:
- Low income - in receipt of income related benefits or an income lower than £31,000 per year and;
- Inadequate insulation or inefficient heating OR;
- Health condition/circumstances that are affected by living in a cold damp home.
Eligibility criteria may differ dependant on the grant scheme, and can again differ in line with your tenure – i.e. if you are a homeowner, a Council/Housing Association tenant or living in privately rented accommodation. The AWARM Team will check with the relevant grant funding requirements and advise you as appropriate.
Please note the following in respect of heating-related queries:
- Private Tenants: If you are a private tenant and your heating system is not working you should report this to your landlord. If you have reported this to your landlord and the fault remains you can get help by contacting the Private Sector Housing Standards Team.
- Council Tenants: If you are a Council tenant and your heating system is not working, you can request a repair through your online Housing Account.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Scheme
ECO4, running until March 2026, is a government-backed scheme to improve the energy efficiency of our worst performing homes (those in EPC bands D-G) through employing a range of retrofitting measures: from the installation of insulation to air-source heat pumps (for heating and hot water) and solar PV.
The scheme will focus on supporting low income and fuel poor, vulnerable households. See the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ECO4 Flexible Eligibility Statement (external link) of Intent for the full eligibility criteria and referral routes in respect of Wigan households.