Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
Yes, the federal Weatherization Assistance Program is open to low-income homeowners and renters for free energy upgrades. Local providers carry out this service under your state agency, and household energy bills drop by an average of $372 each year.
- Average Annual Savings
- $372 Saved a year, based on a national program evaluation
- Income Limit (Standard)
- 200% Of the federal poverty guidelines, or alternatively 60% of the state median
- Four-Person Income Limit
- $66,000 Uses the 2026 poverty guideline across forty-eight states
- Homes Weatherized Yearly
- 32,000 About how many homes federal program funds serve each year
Weatherization Assistance Program by state
In each state, a designated housing or energy agency handles applications, working with its network of local community providers.
| State | Who runs it | Income rule | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | ADECA works through local community action agencies plus the Central Alabama Regional Planning | Income for the household cannot go above 200% of the federal poverty level. | Official page |
| Alaska | Alaska Housing Finance Corporation delivers the program through regional weatherization service providers | AHFC Alaska income limits | Official page |
| Arizona | Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH) runs it with 10 sub-grantee organizations | Federal poverty level based Weatherization Income Qualification Limits | Official page |
| Arkansas | Arkansas Energy Office | Eligible if household income does not exceed 200% of Federal Poverty Guidelines, or if categorically eligible | Official page |
| California | California Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) | Rules cover income, household size, and energy use; contact the local service provider for your county | Official page |
| Colorado | Colorado Energy Office | County-specific limit based on area median income | Official page |
| Connecticut | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection | Eligibility matches the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program: 60% of State Median Income. | Official page |
| Delaware | DNREC Division of Climate | The income limit depends on household size: for example, 1 person can earn up to $31,920 and a household of 4 up to $66,000 | Official page |
| District of Columbia | District Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) | Household income each year must fall below 60% of State Median Income | Official page |
| Florida | FloridaCommerce | A household qualifies as long as its income does not exceed the 200% level of the federal poverty guidelines | Official page |
| Georgia | Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) runs the program through local Community Action Agencies | To qualify, household income must stay within the 200% line of the federal poverty level; the elderly receive preference | Official page |
| Hawaii | State of Hawaii Office of Community Services | within 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline | Official page |
| Idaho | Local Community Action Agencies deliver the program for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare | Limits on monthly income apply from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | Official page |
| Illinois | Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) runs the program through local agencies | Combined income for the household cannot exceed the 200% mark of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| Indiana | Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority (IHCDA) delivers the program through Local Service Providers | Income for a household can reach as high as the 200% mark of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| Iowa | Iowa Department of Health and Human Services works through local Community Action Agencies | 200% of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| Kansas | Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) | Low-income households that meet the income test qualify; the KHRC page does not state the percentage | Official page |
| Kentucky | Kentucky Housing Corporation | 200% of the poverty level or less, and no weatherization assistance in the last 15 years. | Official page |
| Louisiana | Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC), through regional weatherization providers | Income-based; LHC's 2025 annual income levels table | Official page |
| Maine | Maine State Housing Authority (MaineHousing) runs the program, and Community Action Agencies deliver it | Households with eligible income qualify, often through participation in HEAP | Official page |
| Maryland | Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) | Limits on household income sit at 60% of State Median Income | Official page |
| Massachusetts | Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) runs it, and local agencies deliver it | Gross income for the year must stay within the 60% mark of the estimated State Median Income | Official page |
| Michigan | Michigan Department of Health and Human Services | A household qualifies as long as its income does not exceed the 200% level of the federal poverty guidelines | Official page |
| Minnesota | Minnesota Department of Commerce, which works with local Weatherization service providers | Either 200% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines or the LIHEAP cap of 50% of State Median | Official page |
| Mississippi | Mississippi Department of Human Services | The limit is 200% of the current Federal Poverty Guidelines, for example $66,000 for a household of 4. | Official page |
| Missouri | Missouri Department of Natural Resources | A household qualifies with income that does not exceed the 200 percent line of the federal poverty guidelines | Official page |
| Montana | Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, known as DPHHS | The weatherization upper limit sits at 200% of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| Nebraska | Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment | Income must fall below 200% of the federal poverty level; households on ADC or SSI are automatically eligible | Official page |
| Nevada | Nevada Housing Division (NHD), through nonprofit agencies | Income cannot exceed the 200% mark of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Department of Energy, with delivery through Community Action Agencies | Household income may reach up to 60% of State Median Income | Official page |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Department of Community Affairs | 2026 income guidelines | Official page |
| New Mexico | Housing New Mexico (New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority) | Homeowners and renters who meet the income rules; the program page does not give a percentage | Official page |
| New York | New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), Office of Housing Preservation | Income cannot exceed 60% of state median income for a household | Official page |
| North Carolina | NC DEQ State Energy Office, working through local weatherization agencies | Household income must stay under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines | Official page |
| North Dakota | North Dakota Department of Commerce, which delivers the work through eight local Community Action Agencies | A household's income may not go over 200% of the federal poverty level | Official page |
| Ohio | Ohio Department of Job and Family Services | A household qualifies as long as its income does not exceed the 200% level of the federal poverty guidelines | Official page |
| Oklahoma | Oklahoma Department of Commerce | Renters or owners who are low-income, with income not exceeding 200% of the poverty level. | Official page |
| Oregon | Local community action agencies deliver the program for Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) | The income rule is 200% of the federal poverty level or less for a household | Official page |
| Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) | The household income cap equals the 200% mark of the Federal Poverty Income Level | Official page |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island Department of Human Services | Households that qualify for LIHEAP | Official page |
| South Carolina | S.C. Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO), which works through local Community Action Agencies | Yearly household income must stay at or below the posted limits | Official page |
| South Dakota | South Dakota Department of Social Services, with four community action programs doing the work | Income must be low; the DSS page gives no percentage | Official page |
| Tennessee | Tennessee Housing Development Agency | Low-income households; elderly people, those with disabilities, and children get priority | Official page |
| Texas | Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs | 200% of Federal Poverty Income Guidelines | Official page |
| Utah | Utah Division of Housing and Community Development | Income may not go over 200 percent of today's federal poverty income level; the elderly get priority | Official page |
| Vermont | Vermont Department for Children and Families | Household income at or below program limits | Official page |
| Virginia | Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development | Official page | |
| Washington | Washington State Department of Commerce (through local agencies) | Homeowners and renters qualify with income up to the 200% mark of the federal poverty level, or the 60% mark of state median | Official page |
| West Virginia | WV Department of Economic Development, Community Advancement and Development | Income may reach 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines but not above it | Official page |
| Wisconsin | Wisconsin Department of Administration | Home Energy Plus | Official page |
| Wyoming | Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) | Income can go as high as the 200% mark of the federal poverty level; SNAP | Official page |
Weatherization Assistance Program WAP Income Rules
Department of Energy eligibility rules make households earning 200% of the federal poverty guidelines or less eligible for help. The government sets the poverty guideline as a yearly income threshold, and it depends on how many people live in your home. The Department of Health and Human Services guideline for 2026 sets the figure at $15,960 for one person, or $33,000 for four people. In states such as Illinois and Pennsylvania, a four-person household can have an annual income as high as $66,000 at the 200% threshold.
Automatic qualification also applies when anyone in your household gets Supplemental Security Income. A state may instead cap income at 60% of state median income. Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire are examples. Renters can apply too, along with homeowners. However, a renter must get landlord permission before any work starts. Priority from local agencies goes to older adults, households with high energy costs, families with children, and people with disabilities.
Upgrades in the Free Weatherization Program
No crew picks up a tool until an approved household has received a free computerized home energy audit. During an energy audit, your home's energy use gets a full checkup. It begins with a look at your utility bills. A blower-door test is also part of the visit. The inspector uses a temporary doorway fan to locate spots where outside air leaks in. After that, crews install the specific safety and efficiency upgrades your home needs the most.
After weatherization, a household's yearly savings average $372 or more, as the Department of Energy program overview states. The program has helped more than 7.2 million families since 1976. It still upgrades about 32,000 homes each year. Each $1.00 invested yields $2.78 in health and safety benefits, according to a national program evaluation.
Applying for Free Home Weatherization in Your State
To process applications and home work, state administrators contract with about 700 local community agencies and nonprofits. The Department of Energy application guide lists four steps to follow when you request service:
- Ask your state weatherization office or a local community action agency for the application forms used in your county.
- Collect proof of your household income from last year. Pay stubs or Social Security letters work for this.
- If you rent your home, sign a written permission form together with the landlord and your local provider.
- Once approved, take a place on the local waitlist. Priority households get scheduled first for their audit.
Maine, Massachusetts, and Minnesota let one heating assistance application sign you up for weatherization too. In states such as Idaho, Kentucky, and Vermont, homes weatherized during the last 15 years are not eligible to reapply.
Combining Weatherization Upgrades With a Heat Pump
Before you pay for a heat pump or any other upgrade, start with a home energy assessment. When air leaks are sealed first, heated and cooled air stays in your living space rather than escaping outside. Your installer can then choose a smaller heat pump for a tighter house. A smaller unit costs less to buy and run.
In some states, including Vermont, agencies pair weatherization with electrification services for households under 80% of Area Median Income. When your income is above the limit for free service, check with your utility or state energy office about local auditors. You can also search the directory of certified RESNET raters. The audit tax credit from the federal government, 30% with a cap of $150, no longer applies after December 31, 2025.
Common Home Weatherization Questions
In Pennsylvania and nearby states, what income limit applies to the weatherization program?
The household limit in Pennsylvania is $66,000 for four people, and it took effect on January 13, 2026. A four-person home in Delaware is also capped at $66,000. Each person above eight adds $11,360. One person qualifies for up to $48,085 and a four-person household for $92,470 in nearby Maryland, which applies a 60% of state median income rule.
During a professional energy audit, how will an inspector test my house?
A professional inspector reviews your energy bills, runs the doorway fan test, and also looks for leaks and hazards that are hidden. To pinpoint the exact spots where drafts and insulation gaps hide, auditors rely on infrared cameras plus non-toxic smoke pens. Safety is checked with tools they also carry: moisture meters, gas leak detectors, and detectors for carbon monoxide.
On a home energy rating, what does the HERS Index score mean?
The industry's standard for measuring how efficiently a home uses energy is the HERS Index; lower numbers mean better efficiency. A house built to 2006 standards gets a score of 100. A score of 70 means the home is 30% more energy efficient. Compared with a standard new home, a house scoring 130 is 30% less energy efficient.
How is a HERS rating worked out for a home?
After testing your home, a certified rater checks the results against those of a same-size reference home. Outside air leakage is measured by the rating calculation, which also measures leakage in the ducts for your heating and cooling. Member rating companies can be found in the RESNET directory online, searchable by state or by ZIP code.
Get installer quotes with your rebates included
Weatherization is arranged by your local agency, not by installers. If you are also planning a heat pump, tell us the ZIP code and what you want installed, and installers who work with your rebate programs send a written price with the rebates taken off.