What is the Weatherization Assistance Program?
The Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally funded program that sends a crew to your home at no cost to insulate, seal air leaks, and repair or replace unsafe heating equipment, so that a qualifying household's energy bill goes down permanently instead of being paid once.
What this means
- The U.S. Department of Energy funds it and a local agency, often a community action agency, does the work.
- Work typically starts with an energy audit, then attic and wall insulation, weather stripping, duct sealing, and safety checks on the furnace and water heater.
- Renters can be served with the property owner's written permission.
- Households already receiving LIHEAP or Supplemental Security Income are usually automatically income eligible.
What to do first
- Find your state weatherization office through the Department of Energy program page and ask for the local provider.
- Get on the waiting list now, even if your bills are manageable this month.
- Mention if anyone in the home is 60 or older, has a disability, or has a respiratory condition, because that usually raises your priority.
LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance
Helps pay heating and cooling bills, and can stop a shut-off in an emergency.
Weatherization Assistance Program
Free insulation, sealing, and heating repairs that permanently lower your energy bill.
What you'll need
- Proof of income for the last 30 days for everyone in the home
- Most recent heating and electric bills
- Photo identification
- Proof of home ownership or a signed landlord agreement
- Shut-off notice if you have one
- Proof of income for everyone in the home
- Social Security numbers for the household
- Recent utility bills
Deadlines and timing
- Waiting lists commonly run a year or more, so applying during a cold snap will not help this winter.
- The crew may find a health and safety problem that must be fixed before other work can proceed.
- Never pay a contractor who says they can put you at the front of the weatherization list.
Where to go
- LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance: https://acf.gov/ocs/map/liheap-map-state-and-territory-contact-listing
- Weatherization Assistance Program: https://www.energy.gov/cmei/scep/wap/how-apply-weatherization-assistance
Reviewed by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Last verified August 25, 2026
Sources
- Weatherization Assistance Program · U.S. Department of Energy
Need help today?
- Shut-off notice in hand: call the number on the bill and ask for a medical hold and a payment plan, then call 211.
- No food today: call 211 or the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 for a same-week food bank or meal.
- In danger: call 911, or reach Adult Protective Services through the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
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