What we verified in “Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP): energy repairs for your home”

Statements and where we checked them

The statements with rules, figures or dates, with the exact place in the source and the date we checked them.

1. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.

   Sources 1 · Weatherization Assistance Program: 'reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety' · Checked October 31, 2026

2. According to DOE, income is a primary factor: households at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines or receiving SSI are eligible; each state may use LIHEAP's criterion of 60% of state median income; priority goes to the elderly, families with a member with a disability, families with children, high energy users and households with a high energy burden; and both homeowners and renters may apply.

   Sources 2 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance, Step 1: 'Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or that receive Supplemental Security Income'; 'LIHEAP eligibility criteria of 60% of state-median income'; 'Priority is given to the elderly, families with one or more members with a disability, families with children, high-energy users, or households with a high energy burden'; 'Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply' · Checked October 31, 2026

3. According to DOE, the program is run at the state and local level: first you find your state administrator; its site usually lists local providers by county; the provider asks for proof of the prior year's income, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments; if you are income eligible, you are placed on a waitlist; and if you rent, the provider works with you and your landlord to get permission before work begins.

   Sources 2 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: 'administered at the state and local level'; 'first identify your state weatherization administrator'; 'This list is usually organized by county'; 'Your local provider will require your proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or social security payments'; 'your name will be placed on a waitlist'; 'If you are a renter, the weatherization provider will work with you and your landlord to receive permission' · Checked October 31, 2026

4. According to DOE, once your home is selected an energy auditor carries out a computerized assessment of its energy use: an analysis of your bills, a blower-door test for air infiltration and an inspection of all energy equipment and areas of the home for improvements and health and safety issues; the auditor then gives you a scope of work with the most cost-effective measures; the crew explains how and when the work will happen; and at the end an inspector checks that everything was completed, meets the specifications and that equipment operates safely.

   Sources 2 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance, 'What to Expect When Receiving Weatherization Services': 'an energy auditor to visit your home'; 'an analysis of your energy bills, a blower-door test'; 'an inspection of all energy equipment and all areas of your home'; 'health and safety issues'; 'recommended scope of work of the most cost-effective energy conservation measures'; 'a local WAP provider’s inspector will review the work'; 'all equipment is operating safely' · Checked October 31, 2026

5. According to DOE, other federal programs help low-income families: LIHEAP provides short-term help paying energy bills; LIHWAP helps with water service; CSBG funds go to Community Action Agencies; and USDA repair loans and grants help very low-income rural homeowners repair their homes.

   Sources 2 · How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance, 'Learn More About Other Federal Low-Income Programs & Resources': 'Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides short-term assistance'; 'Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)'; 'Community Action Agencies (CAAs)'; 'Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants through the U.S. Department of Agriculture' · Checked October 31, 2026

6. Under DOE's regulation (10 CFR §440.22(a)), a home is eligible if it is occupied by a family with income at or below 200% of the poverty level, or with a member who received cash assistance under Title IV or XVI of the Social Security Act in the prior 12 months, or, if the state chooses, that is eligible for LIHEAP, as long as that basis is at least 200% of the poverty level.

   Sources 3 · 10 CFR §440.22(a)(1)–(3): 'income is at or below 200 percent of the poverty level'; 'has received cash assistance payments under Title IV or XVI of the Social Security Act ... during the 12-month period preceding'; 'If the State elects, is eligible for assistance under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act' · Checked October 31, 2026

7. Under DOE's regulation (10 CFR §440.22(b) and (c)), a rental building may be weatherized if the owner gives written permission and generally at least 66% of the units are eligible (50% for duplexes and four-unit buildings); the state must ensure benefits go primarily to the low-income tenants; that for a reasonable period after the work tenants are not subjected to rent increases unless they are related to other matters; that tenants can file complaints and the owner must show the increase is unrelated to the work; and that there is no undue or excessive increase in the units' value; and the state may ask the owner for a lien or other agreement to protect the federal investment against eviction or sale.

   Sources 3 · 10 CFR §440.22(b)(1): 'written permission of the owner or his agent'; (b)(2): 'Not less than 66 percent (50 percent for duplexes and four-unit buildings ...)'; (b)(3)(i): 'will accrue primarily to the low-income tenants'; (b)(3)(ii): 'will not be subjected to rent increases unless those increases are demonstrably related to matters other than the weatherization work'; (b)(3)(iii): 'tenants may file complaints'; (b)(3)(iv): 'No undue or excessive enhancement'; (c): 'States may seek landlord agreement to placement of a lien' · Checked October 31, 2026

8. Under DOE's regulation (10 CFR §440.16(b)), priority goes to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users and households with a high energy burden; and (§440.16(g)) a home may not be reported as completed until all materials are installed and a final inspection is done.

   Sources 4 · 10 CFR §440.16(b)(1)–(5): 'Elderly persons'; 'Persons with disabilities'; 'Families with children'; 'High residential energy users'; 'Households with a high energy burden'; (g): 'No dwelling unit may be reported to DOE as completed until all weatherization materials have been installed and the subgrantee ... has performed a final inspection' · Checked October 31, 2026

9. According to DOE Weatherization Program Notice 26-1 (July 9, 2026), the appropriations law signed on January 23, 2026 (Pub. L. 119-74) funds the program for program year 2026 through September 30, 2027, including $328 million for the Retrofit program and $30 million for Weatherization Readiness.

   Sources 5 · WPN 26-1, issued July 9, 2026, §1.1 Background: 'On January 23, 2026'; 'Pub. L. 119-74'; 'provides Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations for WAP through September 30, 2027'; '$328 million appropriated for the Retrofit program'; '$30 million appropriated for Weatherization Readiness' · Checked October 31, 2026

10. According to DOE Notice 26-1, starting in program year 2026, renewable electricity-generation technologies not listed in Appendix A to 10 CFR part 440 are no longer permitted in state programs, and DOE is not considering new approvals; the program focuses on proven measures such as air sealing, insulation and heating and cooling equipment upgrades; and its purpose includes improving health and safety, especially for the elderly, people with disabilities and children.

    Sources 5 · WPN 26-1, §3.8: 'Beginning in PY 2026, any existing renewable electricity-generation technologies not listed in 10 C.F.R. § 440: Appendix A to Part 440 will no longer be permitted in Grantee programs'; 'DOE is not considering new approvals'; 'air sealing, insulation, and heating/cooling equipment upgrades'; §3.9: 'improve their health and safety, especially for low-income persons who are particularly vulnerable such as the elderly, the handicapped, and children' · Checked October 31, 2026

11. According to Oregon's housing agency, its weatherization program provides services at no cost to households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level; services may include ceiling, wall and floor insulation, energy-related minor repairs, energy education, air infiltration reduction, furnace repair and replacement and duct improvements; priority includes people 60 or older, people with disabilities and households with children under six; households may be placed on a waiting list; and an audit decides the measures based on the home's condition and available funding.

    Sources 6 · Oregon Housing and Community Services, Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Programs (fact sheet 2026): 'provides weatherization and energy conservation services at no cost to households with incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty level'; 'Ceiling, wall, and floor insulation; Energy-related minor home repairs; Energy conservation education; Air infiltration reduction; Furnace repair and replacement; and/or Heating duct improvements'; 'seniors (60 years of age and older)'; 'households with children under the age of six'; 'waiting service list'; 'based on the home's existing condition and available funding' · Checked October 31, 2026