Glossary · Programs & credentials

Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Also called: weatherization assistance · DOE weatherization · weatherization program · low-income weatherization

A US Department of Energy program, delivered by state and local agencies, that makes low-income households' homes more energy efficient.

What it means

Local crews use computerized energy audits and diagnostic tests to choose the most cost-effective measures, add health and safety fixes, and have a certified Quality Control Inspector check the work. Households at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines generally qualify (states may use 60% of state median income instead), and both owners and renters can apply. Start with your state weatherization office.

Why it matters in an audit

For income-eligible households it's often the first program to check before paying for an audit and upgrades yourself.

Typical numbers

Reference values with their sources. Your auditor’s report gives the figure for your own house.

What	Value	Source
Income eligibility (DOE, Oct 2024)	At or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines, or 60% of state median income; HUD 80%-of-AMI program limits may also be used	energy.gov ↗
Federal funding for FY2026	$329 million (appropriations signed Jan 23, 2026, per Utility Dive)	utilitydive.com ↗

Sources

Learn more here

Weatherization Assistance Program →

Related terms

Home energy audit A professional check-up of how your home uses and loses energy, with tests and a written, ranked list of upgrades.
Air sealing Blocking the hidden gaps where air leaks in and out of a house, which cuts drafts, heating and cooling costs, and moisture problems.
Area median income (AMI) The middle household income for your area; rebate programs set eligibility as a percentage of it, such as under 80% or 150% of AMI.
HOMES rebates (Home Owner Managing Energy Savings) A federal rebate, run by states, that pays $2,000 to $8,000 based on the modeled energy savings of whole-home upgrades.
High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate (HEEHR) An Inflation Reduction Act rebate run by states for efficient electric equipment and envelope upgrades in lower- and moderate-income homes.
Federal poverty level (FPL) Yearly income figures, by household size, that the US government publishes and assistance programs use to set income limits, such as 200% of poverty.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) A federal program, run by states, tribes and territories, that helps lower-income households pay heating and cooling bills and avoid shutoffs.
Categorical eligibility Qualifying for an assistance or rebate program automatically because your household already receives certain benefits, such as SNAP, SSI or TANF.
State median income (SMI) The middle household income for a whole state; LIHEAP and some weatherization and rebate programs set income limits as a share of it, such as 60% of SMI.

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