Last updated: July 28, 2026
Leave first if the home is unsafe. If you smell gas, hear arcing, see sparks or a downed line, have a carbon monoxide alarm, or feel sick around a fuel-burning appliance, leave the area and call 911 or the utility emergency number from outside. Do not wait for an energy program inspection. Never use a grill, camp stove, or generator indoors or in an attached garage.
Bottom Line
Call the electric and gas utilities shown on your bill and ask for every income-qualified energy-efficiency, weatherization, appliance replacement, heating-and-cooling, and health-and-safety program that serves your address. Most utility help is not a cash grant. It is usually a no-cost direct service, rebate, bill discount, bill credit, approved-contractor installation, or financing offer. Apply and receive written approval before buying equipment or hiring a contractor.
Utility companies and state energy programs can sometimes pay for insulation, air sealing, a furnace or heat pump, a refrigerator, water-heating work, duct sealing, or limited repairs needed to complete energy work. The exact help depends on the utility territory, household income, home condition, fuel type, and current funding.
One household may qualify through income. Another may qualify because it receives Supplemental Security Income, Medicaid, SNAP, LIHEAP, or another accepted benefit. Renters may also qualify, but larger improvements often need the owner’s written permission.
This guide explains how to find the correct program, identify whether the offer is free or repayable, prepare for an energy assessment, and respond if the home is denied or deferred.
On this page
Quick Reference: Where to Start
| Your need | Ask for | Type of help | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| High bills, drafts, poor insulation | Income-qualified weatherization or direct-install program | No-cost service or large incentive | An assessment chooses cost-effective work |
| Unsafe or failed heating equipment | Heating repair, furnace replacement, heat-pump, or crisis program | Direct service, rebate, or emergency benefit | Not every utility replaces equipment |
| Old refrigerator or inefficient appliance | Appliance replacement or recycling program | Free replacement, instant discount, or rebate | Existing unit and model rules apply |
| Work needed before weatherization | Health-and-safety or barrier-removal funds | Limited repair service or referral | Major roof, mold, wiring, or structural problems may exceed the cap |
| Shutoff notice or unaffordable balance | Payment plan, low-income rate, arrearage help, LIHEAP, or charity fund | Bill discount, benefit, credit, or forgiveness plan | This usually does not pay for general home repairs |
| You can pay part of the project | Income-based rebate or on-bill financing | Rebate or loan | Financing must be repaid and may appear on the utility bill |
What These Programs Are—and Are Not
A utility may run the program itself or send customers to a state agency, Community Action Agency, approved contractor, or regional administrator.
- No-cost direct service: The program approves the contractor and pays for approved work. The household receives no cash and normally owes no repayment.
- Rebate: The program pays part of an eligible purchase, either at sale or after approved installation.
- Bill discount or credit: The utility lowers the rate or places a credit on the account. This reduces bills but does not repair the home.
- Arrearage plan: Part of an overdue balance may be forgiven after required payments.
- Loan or on-bill financing: The customer borrows for improvements and repays the balance, sometimes through the utility bill. Zero percent interest does not make it a grant.
- Referral: The utility gives the household to a weatherization, LIHEAP, housing, or nonprofit partner. The partner makes the eligibility and funding decision.
Ask one direct question: “Will I owe any money now or later?” Request the answer in writing, including the project price, customer contribution, loan balance, interest, bill charge, lien, repayment period, and what happens if you move.
How to Find the Program That Serves Your Address
- Use the delivery utility, not only the energy supplier. Your bill may name a company that delivers electricity or gas and a separate competitive supplier. Efficiency programs are usually tied to the delivery utility or state program.
- Check both electric and gas utilities. One may cover insulation while the other handles heating equipment, water heating, or appliance measures.
- Use the national directory. ENERGY STAR maintains a state-by-state assistance directory, but some local offers may be missing.
- Ask for related programs. Say “income-qualified,” “low-income energy efficiency,” “weatherization,” “direct install,” “health and safety,” “pre-weatherization repair,” “appliance replacement,” and “bill assistance.” Different offices use different names.
- Check federal weatherization. The Department of Energy’s weatherization application map leads to state, tribal, territorial, and local providers. Read our weatherization program guide before applying.
- Use a local screening door. A Community Action Agency may run weatherization, LIHEAP, furnace work, or referrals. You can also call 211 or use the 211 utility-help search.
- Escalate conflicting information. If the utility and contractor give different answers, contact the state public utility commission through the state commission directory.
Call script for the utility: “I live at [address] and receive electric or gas service from your company. Please screen me for every income-qualified efficiency, weatherization, appliance, heating-and-cooling, health-and-safety, bill-discount, and arrearage program. Which program takes the application, and must I get approval before any work starts?”
What Utility Programs May Pay For
An energy assessment controls the scope. Work must fit program rules, save energy, or remove a safety barrier tied to the approved job.
| Possible measure | What may be included | Common limit |
|---|---|---|
| Air sealing and insulation | Attic, wall, floor, basement, crawlspace, weatherstripping, caulking | Moisture, pests, asbestos, unsafe wiring, or roof leaks may need correction first |
| Heating and cooling | Cleaning, tune-up, safety repair, furnace, boiler, heat pump, thermostat, duct work | Replacement depends on assessment, fuel, equipment condition, and program cap |
| Water heating | Pipe insulation, low-flow fixtures, water-heater blanket, efficient water heater | Plumbing, venting, electrical, and space requirements must be safe |
| Appliances and products | Refrigerator, freezer, lighting, power strips, room air conditioner, dehumidifier | The old appliance may need testing, removal, recycling, or proof of ownership |
| Health and safety | Combustion testing, ventilation, smoke or carbon monoxide alarms, limited electrical work | Funding is usually tied to energy work, not a whole-house code upgrade |
| Barrier removal | Minor repairs that make insulation or equipment installation possible | Major roof, foundation, sewage, lead, mold, or structural work may cause deferral |
Utility programs rarely pay for a full roof, foundation, addition, cosmetic remodel, or repair unrelated to energy use.
If the home has no safe heat now, use the emergency heating guide and ask about crisis LIHEAP. LIHEAP may provide a non-repayable benefit or direct service under state or tribal rules, but it is not one national furnace-replacement promise. The federal LIHEAP office finder lists current contacts, and the referral line is 1-866-674-6327.
Who May Qualify
Income is only one part of eligibility. Programs commonly check all of the following:
- Service territory: The home receives power or gas from a participating utility.
- Income: Gross household income is below the program’s current limit.
- Benefit enrollment: A recent SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, LIHEAP, TANF, housing-assistance, or other award letter may provide streamlined proof.
- Home type: The program accepts the property’s number of units, manufactured-home status, age, and ownership arrangement.
- Occupancy: Many programs require the unit to be the participant’s primary home.
- Landlord permission: Renters may apply, but permanent equipment and building work usually require owner approval.
- Assessed need: The energy audit must find an eligible and cost-effective measure.
- Common barrier: Work has already started, the account is with a nonparticipating utility, documents are expired, or the home has a major unresolved hazard.
Income standards are not interchangeable. A program may use 200% or 250% of the federal poverty guidelines, 60% of state median income, 80% of area median income, or a local table. The Department of Energy says WAP households at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines, or households receiving Supplemental Security Income, are considered eligible under DOE guidelines. A state may instead use LIHEAP criteria up to 60% of state median income.
For 2026, the federal poverty guideline for the 48 contiguous states and District of Columbia is $15,960 for one person and $33,000 for four people. Alaska and Hawaii have higher guidelines. A program using 250% of those figures would screen at $39,900 for one person and $82,500 for four people. Always use the program’s own current table. The official 2026 poverty guidelines do not replace local eligibility rules. Our income-limit guide explains the differences.
Current Income-Qualified Program Examples
These examples show how different the rules can be. They are not a national list, and living in the state does not automatically qualify a household. Verify the utility, address, property type, income, and current intake status before acting.
| Program | Type of help | Key 2026 rule | Application reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| California Energy Savings Assistance | No-cost weatherization and approved home upgrades | Income limits are effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 | Apply through the serving investor-owned utility |
| New Jersey Comfort Partners | Free energy-saving and education service | At or below 250% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines | Individually metered primary residence; landlord form for renters |
| New York EmPower+ | No-cost assessment, direct installation, and income-based incentives | Below 80% of state or area median income, or utility-payment-assistance enrollment | Program contractor and preapproval required |
| Mass Save income-based offers | No-cost weatherization, enhanced rebates, turnkey improvements, or financing | Current 2025–2026 heating-season income table and sponsor rules apply | Start with assessment and income verification |
| Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance | Free home energy improvements | Income, home age, size, value, occupancy, and prior-participation rules apply | Eligible renters and homeowners can apply; local property rules are detailed |
California Energy Savings Assistance
The California Public Utilities Commission’s Energy Savings Assistance program provides no-cost weatherization and approved upgrades. Income limits effective June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027 include $39,900 for one person and $82,500 for four. Customers apply through their serving investor-owned utility. This is direct service, not a check or loan.
New Jersey Comfort Partners
Comfort Partners is a free service for households at or below 250% of the 2026 federal poverty guidelines. The applicant must have an individually metered account and use the unit as a primary residence. Call 1-866-378-4345. Renters need a landlord agreement; homes zero to five years old or under builder warranty are excluded.
New York EmPower+
NYSERDA’s 2026 EmPower+ tool screens by county and household size. Eligibility can extend to households below 80% of state or area median income or enrolled in utility-payment assistance. Approved low-income costs may be covered up to 100% within caps, while moderate-income help may cover up to 50%. Completed work is not reimbursed, and separate on-bill financing remains repayable.
Mass Save Income-Based Offers
The Mass Save enhanced program offers no-cost weatherization and income-based turnkey upgrades for qualifying one- to four-unit homes. The 2025–2026 table lists a $51,777 income-eligible limit for one person and $99,573 for four, with a higher enhanced-incentive band. Call 1-866-527-7283 for an assessment or 1-888-714-3990 for income verification. The separate 0% HEAT Loan must be repaid.
Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance
Austin Energy’s Weatherization Assistance program offers free improvements to eligible renters and homeowners. Rules cover local 80% median income, occupancy, home type, age, size, value, and prior participation. Customer service is 512-494-9400. This shows why address-level utility rules matter.
How to Apply Without Losing Time
- Write down the exact problem. Use one sentence, such as “gas furnace was red-tagged,” “attic has little insulation,” or “refrigerator runs constantly.”
- Call before buying. Ask whether applications are open, whether funding is available, and whether equipment bought before approval is ineligible.
- Ask what type of help it is. Confirm no-cost service, rebate, loan, bill credit, discount, forgiveness plan, or referral.
- Complete income screening. Use current gross-income proof or an accepted benefit-award letter. Ask how the program counts household members and irregular income.
- Schedule the assessment. An auditor reviews energy use, equipment, air leakage, and safety conditions.
- Review the written scope. Do not rely on a salesperson’s promise. The scope should show the approved work, customer cost, contractor, warranties, and financing terms.
- Wait for authorization. Many programs will not reimburse work started early. Use only a required or approved contractor.
- Keep the final inspection record. Save invoices, model numbers, warranties, rebate confirmations, loan papers, and the inspector’s sign-off.
Documents to gather
- Recent electric and gas bills showing the account holder and service address.
- Photo identification and Social Security numbers only when the verified program requires them.
- Income proof for household members, such as pay stubs, Social Security or pension letters, unemployment records, tax forms, or zero-income statements.
- Current benefit letters if the program accepts categorical eligibility.
- Lease and landlord contact information for a renter.
- Photos, technician notes, red-tag notices, outage records, or repair estimates.
Use the HRG application document checklist to build a complete folder.
Call script before an assessment: “Please tell me which documents must be current, how your program counts household income, whether my benefit letter can replace income papers, whether my landlord must sign, and whether any roof, moisture, wiring, or safety problem could cause a deferral.”
What Happens After You Apply
The intake office first checks address, utility, income, household size, and basic property rules. Approval at this stage may only mean that you can move to an assessment. It does not guarantee a furnace, heat pump, refrigerator, insulation package, or a specific dollar amount.
If the household is eligible, an auditor or contractor inspects the home. The Department of Energy says a WAP audit may examine utility bills, use a blower door to find air leakage, and inspect energy equipment and home areas for improvements and health-and-safety issues. A final inspector checks completed work.
Utility programs may have a waiting list even when the website says applications are open. Priority may go to households with older adults, disabled members, children, or high energy burdens. Contractor schedules can also delay work.
Track the application. Keep the intake date, confirmation number, staff name, missing-document deadline, assessment date, contractor name, written scope, and next follow-up date in one place.
Delays, Denials, and Weatherization Deferrals
Common reasons a case stops
- The household contacted the supplier instead of the delivery utility.
- The address is outside the program territory or the utility is not participating.
- Income proof is missing, expired, or calculated under the wrong household size.
- The work was purchased or started before required approval.
- The renter cannot obtain owner permission.
- The home was served too recently or does not meet age, unit-count, size, or primary-residence rules.
- The audit does not support the requested measure as cost-effective.
- A roof leak, standing water, sewage, severe mold, pests, asbestos, unsafe wiring, structural failure, or blocked work area makes installation unsafe.
- Funds, equipment, or approved contractors are temporarily unavailable.
A deferral is not always permanent. Ask for the condition, correction standard, deadline, and any barrier-removal or partner repair option in writing.
If the income decision appears wrong, request the calculation and review process. Contact the utility administrator, then the state public utility commission if needed.
Call script after a denial or deferral: “Please send the decision and rule in writing. Is this an income denial, property-rule denial, funding closure, or temporary safety deferral? What proof or repair would correct it, what is the deadline, and who can review the decision?”
Backup Options When the Utility Cannot Do the Work
- Weatherization Assistance Program: A separate local provider may serve the home even when the utility has no direct-install program. DOE issued Program Year 2026 allocation guidance on July 9, 2026, but local funding and queues still control service.
- LIHEAP crisis or equipment help: State and tribal plans may cover heating or cooling emergencies, bill crises, or limited energy-related repair. See the LIHEAP crisis guide.
- City or county housing repair: A local rehabilitation program may handle roof, wiring, plumbing, structure, or code work that an energy program cannot. The help could be a grant, deferred loan, forgivable loan, or regular loan.
- Rural repair assistance: USDA Section 504 may offer a low-interest repair loan and, for eligible homeowners age 62 or older, a hazard-removal grant. Rural eligibility, very-low-income limits, credit rules, and local funds apply.
- Nonprofit repair: Habitat, Rebuilding Together, senior programs, disability groups, or charities may handle limited safety work.
Use the HRG guide to find local repair programs. Apply to more than one appropriate path, but tell each office about other assistance so the same cost is not paid twice.
Scams and Unsafe Financing
Do not trust an unexpected “utility rebate” call. The Federal Trade Commission warns that utility impostors may offer fake rebates or threaten immediate shutoff. Hang up and call the number printed on the real bill. A legitimate program will not require payment by gift card, cryptocurrency, wire transfer, or a payment app to protect a benefit.
- Do not pay an application or reservation fee to a social-media lead company without confirming the program through the utility or government agency.
- Do not sign a loan, lease, power-purchase agreement, PACE assessment, or on-bill charge because a salesperson calls it “free.”
- Compare the cash price, financed price, annual percentage rate, fees, payment schedule, lien or tax-assessment effect, warranties, cancellation rules, and sale or refinance terms.
- Do not send identity, income, bank, or benefit records to an unverified email address or text number.
- Do not allow a stranger into the home without confirming the visit with the program and checking identification.
The FTC’s utility scam guidance explains common warning signs. HRG also has a guide to verify a repair program before sharing documents or signing.
A Short Action Plan
- First action: Call both delivery utilities and ask for a full income-qualified program screening.
- Next action: Apply through the utility or approved local provider before buying equipment or starting work.
- Backup action: If the home is deferred or the utility has no suitable program, contact weatherization, LIHEAP, Community Action, 211, and the city or county repair office.
- Safety action: Use emergency services or the utility emergency line for gas, electrical, carbon monoxide, fire, or downed-line danger. Do not wait for an application.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are utility income-qualified programs grants?
Not always. Many are no-cost direct services or rebates rather than cash grants. Bill discounts and credits reduce charges. On-bill financing and energy loans must be repaid. Ask for the program type and repayment terms in writing.
Can renters apply?
Often, yes. Renters may qualify for assessments, small direct-install products, appliance help, and some weatherization. Permanent equipment, insulation, or building work usually needs the landlord’s written approval.
Will the utility replace my furnace or heat pump?
Some programs repair or replace heating and cooling equipment, but approval is not automatic. Income, utility territory, equipment condition, fuel type, energy assessment, safety rules, program caps, and available funding all matter.
Can I get reimbursed for work already completed?
Usually not. Many direct-service and rebate programs require an application, assessment, approved equipment, approved contractor, reservation, or written authorization before purchase or installation.
What if my income is above the low-income limit?
Ask about moderate-income incentives, standard rebates, no-cost assessments, utility financing, city or county repair programs, and programs that use area median income instead of federal poverty guidelines.
What if the home is deferred because of a roof, wiring, moisture, or mold problem?
Request the deferral reason and correction standard in writing. Ask about barrier-removal funds, local rehabilitation, emergency repair, health-and-safety programs, nonprofit repair, and whether the energy application can be reopened after the problem is corrected.
About This Guide
How we researched this page: We checked official federal, state, local, tribal, utility, and trusted nonprofit sources linked in this article. We reviewed program names, service areas, eligibility rules, application routes, contact details, and whether each option is a grant, loan, rebate, service, or referral.
Our role: HomeRepairGrants.org is an independent information website. We do not run these programs, accept applications, choose recipients, or guarantee funding or approval.
Local changes: Funding, waitlists, service areas, income limits, and application periods can change. Confirm current details with the organization that runs the program before you apply, sign papers, pay money, or start repair work.
Corrections: See something outdated or incorrect? Email info@homerepairgrants.org and include the page URL and a reliable source when possible.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information. It is not legal, financial, tax, insurance, medical, disability-rights, contractor, or government-agency advice.
Last verified: July 28, 2026 | Next review: October 28, 2026