Last updated: June 3, 2026
Your house is drafty, one room never gets warm or cool, and the windows may feel like the problem. The Weatherization Assistance Program may help, but it usually starts with an energy audit – not with a promise to replace every window.
Quick answer
The Weatherization Assistance Program, often called WAP, helps income-eligible households lower energy use and improve health and safety. The U.S. Department of Energy says WAP is run at the state and local level, so the exact application, waitlist, income rule, and work list can change by state, tribe, territory, county, utility, and local agency. Start with the official DOE application steps, then contact the local provider for the county where the home sits.
WAP may cover insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, ventilation, safety testing, heating or cooling repairs, and some window or door work when the audit supports it. It is not a national window replacement program. Windows can be repaired or replaced in some cases, but many homes get better savings from attic insulation, wall insulation, duct work, and air sealing.
If there is an immediate safety danger
Do not wait for a weatherization appointment if the home is unsafe today. Leave the home and call emergency help if a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, you smell gas, you see sparking wires, or a heater is making people dizzy or sick. Call your utility emergency line for a suspected gas leak. If the danger is from heat, cold, no working heat, no cooling during a heat emergency, or a shutoff notice, also ask about LIHEAP, local crisis funds, and 211.
What problem this page helps solve
This guide is for homeowners, renters, and manufactured-home residents who want to know whether weatherization can help with insulation, air leaks, drafty windows, cold floors, hot rooms, high energy bills, or unsafe heating and cooling problems.
WAP is different from a simple do-it-yourself weather strip project. DOE describes WAP as a whole-house program. That means the provider looks at the building shell, heating and cooling systems, electrical use, ventilation, safety risks, and the people living in the home. The goal is to choose work that saves energy and can be done safely. See DOE’s whole-house WAP explanation for the basic model.
The exact work is not chosen by the applicant. It is usually chosen after a home energy audit. The audit may show that the attic is the biggest leak, not the windows. It may show unsafe combustion, mold risk, asbestos, a weak roof, or electrical problems that must be handled before some work can start.
Insulation, air sealing, and windows: what WAP may cover
WAP work must follow federal rules, state plans, local policy, and the energy audit. Federal rules say weatherization materials generally must be cost-effective, unless they are allowed health and safety measures. The official energy audit rules explain that measures must be tested and ranked for cost-effectiveness.
| Need in the home | Work WAP may consider | What can limit it |
|---|---|---|
| Cold attic, hot upper floor, ice dams, high heating or cooling use | Attic insulation, air sealing before insulation, attic access treatment, ventilation checks | Roof leaks, unsafe wiring, knob-and-tube concerns, asbestos, pests, or not enough audit savings |
| Drafts around walls, floors, crawlspace, basement, or rim joist | Wall, floor, basement, crawlspace, or foundation insulation when allowed by the audit | Moisture, mold, standing water, structural damage, exposed hazards, or local material rules |
| Air leaks around plumbing, wiring, doors, ducts, and ceiling penetrations | Blower-door guided air sealing, caulk, foam, weatherstripping, duct sealing, pipe and duct insulation | Ventilation must stay safe; the home may need fans or other air-quality work after sealing |
| Drafty or damaged windows and doors | Window or door repair, storm windows or storm doors, window film, solar screens, or replacement in limited cases | Window replacement is often expensive and may not pass the audit; lead-safe work may be required in older homes |
| Unsafe or inefficient heating, cooling, or water heating equipment | Cleaning, tuning, repair, replacement, duct repair, pipe insulation, thermostats, safety testing, alarms | Funding, audit results, equipment rules, fuel type, local policy, and whether the home is safe enough to serve |
| Moisture, mold risk, bad indoor air, or combustion safety concerns | Ventilation, carbon monoxide testing, smoke and CO alarms, limited repairs needed for safe weatherization | Major mold cleanup, major roof repair, asbestos abatement, or big structural repairs may be outside regular WAP |
Some states list examples of common measures. For example, Virginia WAP lists sealing air leaks, adding insulation, duct repair, fans, lighting, and heating or cooling work. Pennsylvania WAP lists blower-door guided air sealing, insulation, heating system work, minor repairs, and client education. These examples are useful, but your state and local provider still decide what is allowed in your home.
Why WAP does not usually start with new windows
Many people call WAP because their windows leak air. That is understandable. A drafty window is easy to feel. But a home may lose more energy through the attic, ducts, basement, crawlspace, or hidden bypasses around pipes and wires. WAP uses testing and an audit so the biggest savings can be treated first.
DOE’s whole-house examples include building-shell work such as insulation, blower-door testing, air sealing, repairing or replacing primary windows and doors, storm windows and storm doors, window film, solar screens, louvers, awnings, and minor roof or wall leak repairs before insulation. That does not mean every home gets windows. It means these items may be considered when they are allowed and make sense under the audit.
Windows can also trigger safety rules. In homes built before 1978, work that disturbs painted surfaces may require lead-safe practices. EPA says paid workers disturbing paint in many pre-1978 homes must be certified and trained under the EPA lead rule. This matters because window sills, trim, sash, and doors can have old paint.
Practical tip: When you call, do not ask only, “Can I get free windows?” Ask, “Can I apply for weatherization, and will the audit look at my drafty windows, attic, ducts, and insulation?” That is closer to how the program works.
Who may qualify
DOE says households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines, or households that receive Supplemental Security Income, are considered eligible under DOE guidelines. DOE also says states and territories may use LIHEAP eligibility of 60% of state median income. Priority is often given to older adults, people with disabilities, families with children, high energy users, and households with a high energy burden.
For calendar 2026, 200% of the HHS poverty guidelines in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia is shown below as a simple reference. Alaska and Hawaii have higher poverty guideline amounts. Some WAP offices use federal fiscal year tables, state median income, LIHEAP rules, or state-specific tables, so check your local provider and the official HHS poverty guidelines.
| Household size | 200% poverty guideline, 48 states/DC, calendar 2026 | What to remember |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $31,920 | State WAP rules may use a different table or period. |
| 2 | $43,280 | Count household members the way the local program tells you. |
| 3 | $54,640 | Bring proof of all income sources requested. |
| 4 | $66,000 | Benefit income may need award letters. |
| 5 | $77,360 | Alaska and Hawaii use higher guideline amounts. |
| 6 | $88,720 | Ask your provider how they count zero-income adults. |
- Homeowners may apply if the home is eligible and the household meets the local rules.
- Renters may apply, but the landlord usually must give permission before work begins.
- Manufactured homes may be eligible if they meet program rules and can be served safely.
- A house can be delayed or deferred even when the household is income-eligible.
Fastest realistic starting points
There is no single national application that sends crews to your home. WAP money moves through states, territories, tribes, and local providers. In many areas, the local provider is a community action agency, nonprofit, county agency, housing organization, or tribal office.
- Find the state WAP page. Start with the DOE map and state links on the DOE application steps page.
- Find the county provider. Many state pages list local providers by county. If you cannot find it, call 211 or search the CAA finder.
- Ask for the current WAP application. Some areas let you apply online. Others use paper, phone intake, in-person intake, or a combined LIHEAP and WAP process.
- Submit proof quickly. An incomplete file can sit still. Ask exactly what documents are missing.
- Get on the waitlist. Being eligible usually means your name goes on a list. It does not always mean work starts right away.
Phone script: first call to WAP
Hello, my name is [name]. I live in [county and ZIP code]. I want to apply for the Weatherization Assistance Program. My main problems are drafty windows, poor insulation, and high energy bills. Are you the provider for my address, and what documents do you need to start my application?
Documents you may need
Each local provider can ask for different proof. DOE says local providers commonly require proof of income, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments. A state example from New York WAP shows that local providers take applications, do energy audits, complete work, and inspect the home after work is done.
| Document | Why it matters | Helpful note |
|---|---|---|
| Photo ID | Confirms who is applying | Ask what is accepted if you do not have a driver’s license. |
| Proof of address | Shows the home is in the provider’s service area | A utility bill, lease, or official mail may be requested. |
| Proof of income | Shows income eligibility | Pay stubs, benefit letters, pension proof, unemployment, or tax documents may be used. |
| Utility bills | Helps the audit review energy use | Ask for how many months are needed. |
| Ownership or lease proof | Shows the right to approve work | Renters usually need landlord permission. |
| Landlord agreement | Allows work in a rental unit | Some programs require owner contribution or tenant-protection language. |
| Benefit award letters | May support categorical eligibility | SSI, LIHEAP, HEAP, or other benefits may matter depending on the state. |
What happens at the home energy audit
After you are approved and selected, the provider usually schedules an energy audit. DOE says an audit may include energy bill review, a blower-door test to measure air leakage, and inspection of energy equipment and home areas such as living space, attic, and basement. The auditor uses this to recommend cost-effective work and to check health and safety issues.
The crew or contractor should not simply do whatever a salesperson suggested. WAP work should follow the state-approved audit, local field guide, and quality standards. DOE and NREL describe the work standards as minimum acceptable outcomes for home energy upgrades, including ventilation, insulation, and air sealing.
Common tests and checks
- Blower-door test: helps find air leaks and checks how tight the home is before and after work.
- Insulation check: looks at attic, walls, floors, ducts, and crawlspaces where accessible.
- Combustion safety check: looks for risks from fuel-burning appliances.
- Moisture check: looks for leaks, mold risk, bad ventilation, or drainage issues.
- Lead-safe review: matters when painted surfaces in older homes will be disturbed.
- Final inspection: checks that the work is complete and safe.
Phone script: before the audit
Before the auditor comes, can you tell me what areas of the home need to be clear? I have concerns about [attic/crawlspace/windows/heater]. Should I gather utility bills, landlord paperwork, or photos of the problem?
Repairs that may be outside regular WAP
WAP can include minor repairs when they are needed for weatherization work to be effective or safe. Federal allowable costs include incidental repairs and the cost of eliminating health and safety hazards when needed before or because of weatherization materials. But WAP is not a full home rehab program.
Common limits include full roof replacement, major mold cleanup, large structural repairs, major plumbing, major electrical replacement, pest infestation, asbestos abatement, sewer or septic failure, foundation failure, and general remodeling. The state may have a weatherization readiness fund, repair partner, utility fund, or local housing rehab program that can fix barriers before WAP returns.
The federal average cost limit is also not the same as a personal grant limit. DOE explains that the average cost per dwelling unit starts with a $6,500 base in federal rules and is adjusted each program year. It is an average across weatherized units, not a promise that one home will receive a set amount. Check DOE’s average cost table and your state plan for current program-year details.
How local and state administration changes the answer
WAP is federal, but it is not delivered the same way everywhere. One state may use a community action network. Another may use county agencies, nonprofit providers, tribal offices, or utility partnerships. Some states combine WAP with LIHEAP weatherization money, state funds, utility money, or special repair funds. That is why two households with similar homes can get different work.
For example, Washington Weatherization says its program uses local agencies that specialize in insulation, air sealing, ventilation, and other work, and it lists income paths that can include poverty, state median income, or area median income. Some states also publish more detailed caps. Illinois weatherization lists specific maximum amounts for energy-related work and health and safety measures, but those numbers are Illinois-specific and should not be treated as national limits.
Why applications get delayed, denied, or deferred
A denial usually means the program says you do not meet a rule, such as income, address, documentation, housing type, or prior weatherization. A deferral often means the home may qualify, but work cannot safely move forward yet. North Carolina’s WAP guidance says safety comes first and lists possible issues such as structural hazards, roof and floor hazards, plumbing or electrical hazards, lead-based paint, asbestos, mold, and excessive clutter. See North Carolina safety for one state example.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending an application without all pages signed.
- Not listing every household member or income source.
- Ignoring calls or letters from the provider.
- Starting private work before asking whether it affects the audit.
- Refusing needed ventilation after air sealing.
- Assuming WAP will replace windows because an ad said so.
- Not getting landlord permission early enough.
- Leaving attic, basement, crawlspace, or mechanical areas blocked.
Phone script: if delayed
I applied on [date]. Can you tell me whether my file is complete, whether I am on the waitlist, and what step comes next? If anything is missing, please tell me the exact document and deadline.
Phone script: if deferred
I was told my home is deferred. Can you give me the reason in writing, the repair needed to make the home weatherization-ready, and any partner programs that help with that repair?
What to do if you disagree with a denial or poor work
Appeal and complaint rules are local or state-specific. Ask for the decision in writing, including the reason, deadline, and appeal steps. Keep copies of your application, letters, emails, photos, utility bills, and names of people you spoke with.
California gives a clear example: its California appeal rules say a denied LIHEAP or DOE WAP applicant, a person who did not get a timely response, or a person unhappy with provider performance may start a written appeal with the local service provider. Your state may have a different deadline or process, so use your state WAP page.
Backup options if WAP cannot do the work
If WAP cannot replace windows or has deferred your home, ask for a warm handoff, not just a denial letter. The right backup depends on the problem.
| Problem | Possible backup | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Utility bill crisis | LIHEAP, utility hardship fund, shutoff protection, 211 | Ask if there is crisis aid while you wait for weatherization. |
| Major roof, electrical, or structural barrier | City or county rehab, state weatherization readiness, nonprofit repair program | Ask what repair would remove the WAP deferral. |
| Rural owner-occupied home | USDA Section 504 repair loans or grants | Check the USDA repair program for age, income, ownership, and rural-area rules. |
| Confusing repair loan or contractor financing | HUD-approved housing counseling | Talk to a HUD housing counselor before signing a loan you do not understand. |
| You do not know who serves your area | 211, community action agency, state energy office | Ask for weatherization, LIHEAP, and home repair referrals. |
USAgov also has a plain-language page on USAGov weatherization that points people toward weatherization and energy help. Use official government, utility, nonprofit, and local agency pages before trusting ads.
Scam and sales warnings
Be careful with ads that say the government is giving every homeowner free windows, free insulation, or instant home repair money. Real WAP usually requires an application, income review, waitlist, audit, work scope, and final inspection. It is not a fast cash payment to you.
The FTC warns that scammers may contact people out of the blue, claim they qualify for government grant money, ask for personal or bank information, or demand a fee by cash, gift card, wire, or cryptocurrency. Read the FTC grant scams warning before giving information to anyone who contacted you first.
- Do not pay a fee to apply for a supposed government grant.
- Do not sign a same-day window contract because a salesperson mentioned WAP.
- Do not share your Social Security number with a random ad or caller.
- Do not sign a lien, loan, or property-assessed financing document unless you understand it.
- Do call the official local WAP provider to confirm any claim.
FAQs
Will WAP replace my windows?
Maybe, but do not count on it. WAP may consider window repair, storm windows, window film, or replacement in limited cases. The audit, state rules, health and safety rules, and cost-effectiveness test matter. Many homes get insulation and air sealing instead because those measures often save more energy for the cost.
Can I choose the repairs I want?
You can explain the problems you see and feel, but the final scope is usually based on the energy audit and program rules. Tell the auditor about rooms that are too hot or cold, high bills, drafts, moisture, window leaks, and unsafe equipment.
Is WAP only for homeowners?
No. DOE says both homeowners and renters can apply. Renters usually need landlord permission before work begins. In some places, rental property owners may have to contribute to the cost or agree to tenant protections.
Do I have to pay WAP back?
Most WAP services are provided at no cost to eligible households. But rules can vary for rental owners, leveraged funds, local repair partners, or separate loan programs. Ask before signing any document that mentions repayment, lien, mortgage, assessment, or owner contribution.
Why was my home deferred if I qualify by income?
Your home may have a safety or repair problem that blocks weatherization. Common barriers include roof leaks, unsafe wiring, mold, asbestos, structural hazards, pests, or heavy clutter. Ask for the reason in writing and ask what repair would make the home ready.
How long does WAP take?
It depends on your area, funding, priority status, weather, contractor capacity, and whether the home has barriers. Some households wait months or longer. Ask your local provider whether your file is complete, where you are on the waitlist, and whether crisis or utility help is available while you wait.
About This Guide
This HomeRepairGrants.org guide uses official federal, state, local, and high-trust nonprofit/community sources mentioned in the article, including DOE, eCFR, HHS/ACF, EPA, FTC, USAGov, state WAP offices, 211, Community Action, HUD, and USDA sources.
HomeRepairGrants.org is not a government agency and does not guarantee eligibility, approval, funding, repairs, timing, or contractor availability. This guide is not legal, financial, tax, medical, insurance, disability-rights, or government-agency advice. Program rules can change, and local agencies make final decisions under their current rules.
Corrections: Email info@homerepairgrants.org with corrections.
Update notes
Next review: August 17, 2026
Editorial note
Always confirm current income limits, waitlists, appeal deadlines, forms, and covered measures with your state or local WAP provider. If a rule or dollar amount is not listed on an official current page, ask the provider for the written policy before relying on it.