Eligibility & requirements. WAP serves low-income households; each state, territory, and tribal government sets its income thresholds within federal guidelines. Priority is commonly given to the elderly, people with disabilities, families with children, and households with high energy use or high energy burden. Both homeowners and renters can qualify, though renters need landlord agreement. Applicants apply through their state's WAP administrator or a local community action agency.
What you get. A trained crew performs a home energy audit and installs weatherization measures at no cost to the household. Typical measures include insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, furnace repair or replacement, and health-and-safety-related repairs needed to install the measures. DOE reports average annual household energy savings of more than $372 and roughly 32,000 homes weatherized each year nationwide.
Deadlines. There is no single application deadline; the program runs continuously, but local agencies maintain waitlists and funding is limited each program year. Apply early in your area.
How it works. Contact your state's WAP office or local weatherization provider to apply. An energy audit identifies the most cost-effective measures for the home. Approved work is scheduled and performed by the agency's crews or contractors at no charge, followed by a quality inspection.
Important notes. WAP is not a rebate — eligible households pay nothing for the work. Waitlists can be long in some areas. The program is distinct from LIHEAP (which helps pay energy bills); many households qualify for both.
Program details change — verify current rules on the official program page before applying.