Aging in Place Grants

Weatherization Assistance Program: Free Energy and Safety Upgrades

Updated October 18, 2026 · By the Aging in Place Grants research desk · How we research

A free federal program, run by local agencies, that insulates homes, seals leaks and fixes heating systems for income-eligible households, with priority for older adults.

At a glance

Key amounts (check the source for the current figure)
Income limit200% of federal poverty guidelines (states may use an approved LIHEAP rule)
Average annual energy savings per weatherized home$372 (2022 dollars)
Cost to eligible households$0

What it can pay for

  • Attic, wall and floor insulation
  • Air sealing, weatherstripping and caulking
  • Furnace and air conditioner tune-ups, repairs or replacement
  • Ventilation fans
  • Water heater and pipe insulation
  • Fixing energy-related hazards such as carbon monoxide from a faulty furnace

Who qualifies

  • Homeowners and renters (renters need written landlord permission)
  • Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines, or under a state's approved LIHEAP-based rule
  • Households that received certain cash assistance, such as SSI, in the past 12 months may qualify automatically
  • Priority groups include elderly persons, persons with disabilities and families with children

How to apply

  1. Find your state weatherization office on DOE's 'How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance' map.
  2. Ask the state office for the local agency that serves your county; it is often a community action agency.
  3. Check your household income against the current limit for your household size.
  4. Apply with proof of income for everyone in the home and recent utility bills.
  5. If you rent, get written permission from your landlord.
  6. Schedule the energy audit. A trained auditor will test the home and choose the measures.

Watch out for

  • Waitlists can be long, and older adults are a priority group, so say your age when you apply.
  • The audit decides what gets done. You cannot pick a project, such as new windows, if the audit does not support it.
  • Severe roof leaks, mold or structural problems can delay or 'defer' service until they are fixed, so ask about repair partners.
  • Eligibility certification expires if work has not started within 12 months.
  • Weatherization staff will never ask you to pay. Be wary of door-to-door sellers using the program's name.

Why it matters for aging in place

Staying home safely is not only about grab bars and ramps. A drafty house, a broken furnace or a carbon monoxide leak can be just as dangerous for an older adult. High energy bills can also squeeze a fixed income.

The Weatherization Assistance Program, run by the U.S. Department of Energy, tackles these problems for free. It is delivered by nearly 700 local providers and weatherizes an average of about 35,000 homes a year with DOE funds 4.

What it does

A trained auditor visits the home, tests it, and recommends work based on its heating and cooling needs 5. Typical work includes 5:

  • Insulating the attic, walls and floors
  • Insulating the water heater and exposed pipes
  • Sealing air leaks with weatherstripping and caulk
  • Replacing broken glass
  • Tuning up, repairing or replacing the furnace or air conditioner
  • Installing ventilation fans

The program also aims to remove energy-related hazards, such as carbon monoxide from a faulty furnace 4. After the work, an inspector checks it 5.

On average, DOE estimates weatherized households save $372 a year on energy, in 2022 dollars 4.

Who qualifies

Income

The federal limit is 200 percent of the poverty guidelines 2. States may choose to use a rule based on the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), but it must be at least as generous 2. The exact dollar limit depends on household size and is updated every year, so check with your state office.

Households that received certain cash assistance in the past 12 months, such as SSI, can qualify without a separate income check 25.

Who gets priority

Federal rules list these priority groups 3:

  • Elderly persons
  • Persons with disabilities
  • Families with children
  • High energy users (optional for states)
  • Households with a high energy burden (optional for states)

If you or someone in your home is older or has a disability, say so when you apply.

Renters and home types

Both homeowners and renters can apply. That includes single-family homes, apartments and mobile homes 5. Renters need written permission from the landlord before work starts 5.

How to apply

DOE's advice is simple: find your state weatherization administrator and reach out 1. DOE's website has a map with links to each state 1. From there:

  1. Find your local provider. Your state office will point you to the agency serving your county, often a community action agency or local government 5.
  2. Apply. You will need proof of income for everyone in the home 5. Recent utility bills are also helpful.
  3. Get on the schedule. There may be a waitlist.
  4. Have the audit done. Plan to be home for a few hours.
  5. Let the crew work. Most jobs take a few days.

Getting ready for the audit

The energy audit is the heart of the program. A little preparation helps it go smoothly:

  • Clear a path to the attic hatch, basement, crawl space, furnace and water heater.
  • Gather a year of utility bills if you can. They help show how much energy the home uses.
  • Make a list of problems you notice, such as cold rooms, drafts, frost on windows or a furnace that cycles on and off.
  • Mention health concerns. Tell the auditor if anyone in the home uses oxygen, has breathing problems or is sensitive to cold or heat.
  • Plan for pets and visitors. Crews may need to move through every room.

Auditors often use a "blower door" test, which uses a fan to find air leaks. It is noisy but harmless. They also check gas appliances for safety. If an older adult will be home alone, a family member may want to be there to ask questions.

Common surprises

The audit decides the work. Weatherization uses testing and cost-effectiveness rules. You may want new windows, but the audit may call for attic insulation instead.

Some homes have to wait. If a home has major problems like a badly leaking roof or serious mold, the agency may hold off until those are fixed. Ask whether they partner with a repair program to solve this.

Approval can expire. Eligibility lasts 12 months from certification if work has not started 3.

What weatherization does not cover

Weatherization is about energy and energy-related safety. It does not pay for grab bars, ramps, walk-in showers or wider doors. For those, look at your Area Agency on Aging, local CDBG or HOME repair programs, USDA Section 504 in rural areas, or nonprofit repair groups.

The good news is that these programs often work together. In a national survey of Area Agencies on Aging, 88 percent of those that refer people to funding sources said they refer to weatherization 6.

Scam alert

Weatherization is free to eligible households 5. If someone knocks on your door claiming to be from the "government energy program" and asks for money, close the door and call your state weatherization office.

Common questions

Is weatherization really free?

Yes. Services are offered at no cost to eligible households through local agencies.

Can renters get weatherization?

Yes, renters can apply, but they need written permission from the landlord before work begins.

What is the income limit for weatherization?

The federal rule is 200% of the poverty guidelines, and states may use an approved LIHEAP-based rule that is at least that high. Households that received SSI or other qualifying cash assistance in the last year may qualify automatically. Ask your state office for the dollar amount.

Does weatherization pay for grab bars or ramps?

No. Weatherization focuses on energy efficiency and energy-related health and safety. Pair it with other programs, like your Area Agency on Aging or a local repair program, for accessibility work.

How much can it save?

DOE estimates average savings of $372 a year per weatherized household, in 2022 dollars.

Sources

  1. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance — U.S. Department of Energy. Checked October 18, 2026.
  2. Weatherization Program Notice 25-3: Federal Poverty Income Guidelines — U.S. Department of Energy. Checked October 18, 2026.
  3. Weatherization Program Notice 26-1: Grantee Application Instructions — U.S. Department of Energy. Checked October 18, 2026.
  4. Weatherization Assistance Program Briefing Book (October 2024) — U.S. Department of Energy. Checked October 18, 2026.
  5. What is the Weatherization Assistance Program? (eligibility fact sheet) — U.S. Department of Energy. Checked October 18, 2026.
  6. Building Community Capacity to Serve Older Adults: The Role of Area Agencies on Aging in Home Modifications and Repairs (data brief) — National Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Scripps Gerontology Center. Checked October 18, 2026.