Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
To improve home energy efficiency for low-income families through the most cost-effective measures possible. The program’s additional objectives are:
1. To reduce fossil fuel emissions created as a result of activities within the jurisdictions of eligible entities; and
2. To reduce the total energy use of the eligible units while ensuring their health and safety.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- State governments
- Local governments
- Public nonprofits
- Federally recognized tribes
- U.S. territories (incl. universities)
- For-profit organizations
- Private nonprofits
States and Territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, and, Native American tribal organizations (Navajo Nation, Northern Cheyenne, Intertribal Council of Arizona). In the event a State does not apply, a unit of general purpose local government, or community action agencies and/or other nonprofit agencies within that State becomes eligible to apply.
Beneficiaries
- 10
- 4
- 9
All low-income households are eligible to receive weatherization assistance. A low-income household is one whose combined income falls at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty level determined by the Office of Management and Budget's poverty income guidelines or the basis on which Federal, State, or local cash assistance payments have been made. A State may also elect to make all homes eligible under the HHS Low-income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligible for weatherization assistance and may use either 150 percent of poverty or 60 percent of State median income.
How to Apply
Application Procedure
State applications for the WAP Program must be submitted through the PAGE system (https://www.page.energy.gov/login.aspx) to be considered for award.
Award Procedure
Formula Grants: States and tribes will submit applications for available allocation. Grant applications will be reviewed by DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) personnel. Grant procedures will be in accordance with Federal government regulations. Notification of grant awards will be issued by the DOE Procurement Office and/or EERE personnel serving the applicant State. Project Grants: Evaluations will be conducted by an independent merit review committee and Federal employes. Final decisions to approve are made by ASEE, Program Manager and/or Designee. DOE Field Offices are then instructed to negotiate and prepare the grant award documents.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Improvement of the thermal efficiency and cooling of dwellings by the installation of weatherization materials such as attic insulation, caulking, weather-stripping, furnace efficiency modifications, certain mechanical measures to heating and cooling systems, and replacement furnaces, boilers, and air-conditioners.
Required Documentation
Compliance with Federal, State and local environmental statutes and regulations, as required under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The Department of Energy (DOE) requires that grantees meet certain statutory and administrative requirements which can be found in the Weatherization Program Rules available at 10 CFR Section 440 et al and from DOE offices. For Formula Grants, Governors or their designated agencies must apply for grants to the appropriate DOE office and submit State Plans and applications pursuant to State applications at 10 CFR part 440.12. Any household at or below 200% of poverty, per the modified statute, is considered low-income. About 15 million of all eligible households are good candidates for Weatherization. Priority service is given to the elderly, people with disabilities, and families with children.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements