Weatherization Assistance in Plain Words
A government program can help lower the energy bills of low-income households by making their homes use less energy. This page explains it in simple words.
General information only — not legal or tax advice.
What is this program?
The U.S. Department of Energy runs the Weatherization Assistance Program. Most people call it WAP for short.
WAP reduces energy costs for low-income households. It does this by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while also making sure the work keeps the home healthy and safe.
“Weatherization” means fixing up a home so it holds heat in during winter and keeps heat out during summer. When a home wastes less energy, the energy bills go down.
The program is run at the state and local levels. The federal government funds it, but state and local offices do the work in your area.
How much can a household save?
$372 or more
That is what participating households save on average every year, according to a national evaluation reported by the Department of Energy.
How big is the program?
- WAP began in 1976.
- It has served more than 7.2 million families since then.
- Using Department of Energy funds, it provides weatherization services to approximately 32,000 homes every year.
- The program supports 8,500 jobs.
Who is the program for?
WAP is for low-income households. Under the federal definition, the main line is this:
Household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
The federal definition also covers certain other households, including:
- Certain households that received cash assistance under Title IV or Title XVI of the Social Security Act during the preceding 12 months.
- Certain households that qualify through LIHEAP-based routes. LIHEAP is another federal program that helps with energy costs.
This page cannot tell you if you qualify. Only the state or local provider can decide that, after they look at your situation. Rules can also differ from place to place, because states and local offices run the program.
Who gets priority?
Federal rules say priority goes to:
- Households that include elderly persons.
- Households that include persons with disabilities.
- Families with children.
- High residential energy users — homes that use a lot of energy.
- Households with a high energy burden — homes where energy bills take a large share of the household’s income.
Priority means these households are served first. It does not promise that any one household will be served.
How to apply
The Department of Energy gives this route:
1Find your state weatherization administrator. The Department of Energy’s how-to-apply page has a map of the states. Use it to find the administrator for your state.
2Contact that state agency. They will tell you what comes next in your state.
Start here: How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance (energy.gov)
Because each state runs its own program, the state agency is the right place to ask about your own case.
Sources. U.S. Department of Energy: Weatherization Assistance Program and How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance. Federal rules: the Weatherization Assistance Program regulations in 10 CFR Part 440, including 10 CFR 440.3 (definitions, including “low income”), 10 CFR 440.16 (priority for certain households), and 10 CFR 440.22 (eligible dwelling units).
General information only — not legal or tax advice.