What Is WAP

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is administered by the Department of Energy through state energy offices and local community action agencies. Unlike LIHEAP — which pays your utility bill — WAP permanently improves your home's energy performance, reducing what you owe on every future bill without requiring repeat applications or ongoing assistance.

WAP has operated since 1976 and has weatherized more than 7 million homes. The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provided $3.16 billion in new WAP funding over five years, the largest expansion in the program's history. States received their IRA allocations in 2023–2024 and are deploying that funding through local agencies in 2025–2026, meaning capacity is significantly higher than in pre-IRA years.

What Work WAP Covers

WAP performs a whole-home energy audit before any work begins. A certified energy auditor assesses insulation levels, measures air leakage with a blower door test, inspects HVAC systems, and identifies the most cost-effective improvements. Work is prioritized based on the audit — the program doesn't install a fixed set of measures but tailors the work to each home.

Common measures installed through WAP:

  • Attic insulation — the single highest-impact measure in most homes; can reduce heating costs 10–20%
  • Air sealing — plugging gaps around windows, doors, electrical boxes, and plumbing penetrations where conditioned air escapes
  • Furnace tune-up or replacement — cleaning or replacing inefficient or failing heating equipment
  • Water heater replacement — replacing old inefficient water heaters with efficient models
  • Duct sealing — sealing leaky ductwork that wastes conditioned air in unconditioned spaces
  • Carbon monoxide and smoke detectors — installed as part of health and safety measures

The Weatherization Savings Calculator estimates typical savings from these measures for your home type and climate zone.

Who Qualifies — 200% FPL

WAP income limit is 200% of the Federal Poverty Level — higher than most other assistance programs. For 2026, 200% FPL for selected household sizes: 1 person ($30,120/yr), 2 people ($40,840/yr), 3 people ($51,560/yr), 4 people ($62,280/yr). SNAP and TANF recipients are automatically income-eligible.

Priority is given to households with elderly members (60+), young children, people with disabilities, and high energy cost burden. In areas with waitlists, these priority factors determine placement order.

Renters and WAP

Renters can receive WAP with landlord consent. The landlord must agree to allow the work and sign a waiver limiting rent increases for a defined period after weatherization. For multi-unit buildings, at least 50% of units must be income-eligible. For single-family rentals, the 50% rule doesn't apply. Many landlords agree readily since the improvements are free and increase property value.

How to Apply

Apply through your local state energy office or community action agency. Find your state's WAP administering agency at energy.gov/scep/weatherization-assistance-program — click your state for the state office, which can direct you to the local agency serving your county. The application requires ID, income documentation, and proof of residence — similar to a LIHEAP application. Also apply for LIHEAP simultaneously since LIHEAP receipt confirms WAP income eligibility.

The Home Assessment Process

After approval: an energy auditor visits your home (2–4 hours), creates a prioritized work order, and crews perform the work over 1–3 days. A final blower door test confirms improved tightness. You receive documentation of all work performed. The entire process from application approval to completed work typically takes 2–8 weeks depending on local agency capacity and waitlist length.

IRA Funding Expansion 2022–2026

The Inflation Reduction Act's $3.16 billion WAP expansion increased the per-household spending limit (allowing more comprehensive work per home) and expanded the number of households served annually. If you checked WAP waitlist status before 2023 and found it long, it's worth reapplying — many areas have reduced waits significantly with IRA funding deployed.

Apply for both simultaneously. LIHEAP provides immediate utility bill relief while WAP work is pending; WAP permanently reduces future bills. LIHEAP receipt confirms WAP income eligibility, streamlining the WAP application. The two programs are designed to be complementary — neither reduces your eligibility for the other.