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Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) (free home energy upgrades for low-income owners and renters): who qualifies, what you get, how to apply, and what happens next

The Weatherization Assistance Program pays for energy efficiency and safety work on the homes of low-income households, owners and renters alike. It is a U.S. Department of Energy program run in California by the Department of Community Services and Development through local providers. Apply with the local provider for your area.

What the Weatherization Assistance Program is, in one paragraph

The Weatherization Assistance Program is the U.S. Department of Energy's program that makes low-income homes more energy efficient, healthy and safe (rule:what_wap_is). It is run at the state and local level; in California, the Department of Community Services and Development (CSD) works through local providers (rule:administration). An energy auditor visits the home and the provider does the most cost-effective work at no cost to the household (rule:energy_audit). Nationally, DOE funds weatherize about 32,000 homes a year, and a national evaluation found average savings of $372 or more a year (rule:program_scale).

$372 or more
average yearly energy savings per weatherized household, national evaluation (U.S. Department of Energy, rule:program_scale)

Who may qualify

Income or SSI. Under DOE guidelines a household qualifies at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines, or if it receives SSI (rule:federal_income, rule:ssi_categorical). A state may use 60% of state median income instead (rule:state_option_smi). California's 2026 table, effective 1 July 2026, gives the monthly limit (rule:ca_income_table):

People in the homeMonthly income at or below
1$2,660.00
2$3,606.67
3$4,553.33
4$5,500.00
5$6,446.67
6$7,393.33
7$8,340.00
8$9,286.67
9$10,233.33
10$11,180.00
Each person over 10add $946.67

Owners and renters both qualify; a renter's landlord must give permission (rule:owners_renters, rule:landlord_permission).

Who goes first. The elderly, families with a member with a disability, families with children, high-energy users and households with a high energy burden (rule:priority).

How to apply, and what happens after

Apply with the local energy services provider for your area: find it on CSD's map or call CSD's toll-free help line, (866) 675-6623 (rule:helpline). Bring proof of income for the prior year (rule:proof_of_income).

The provider decides income eligibility and puts an eligible household on a waitlist (rule:waitlist). When the home comes up, an energy auditor visits and writes a scope of work (rule:energy_audit); crews or contractors then do it.

If denied. Appeal in writing to the provider, which must decide within 15 days of receiving the appeal (rule:appeal_local), then in writing to CSD (rule:appeal_state). No page read states a filing deadline, or whether a home can be weatherized again later (rule:repeat_service).

The procedure, stage by stage, as data
JSONThe procedure, stage by stage, as data
10 items
10 keys
"id""stage:discover"
"order"1
"name""Discover"
"what_happens""Household learns free weatherization exists for owners and renters"
"who_acts""Household / CSD / 211"
"timeline""No deadline; there is a waitlist (rule:waitlist)"
"evidence""None"
"failure_mode""Renters assuming they cannot apply"
"model_role""Screen income and SSI; name the local provider"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:screen_eligibility"
"order"2
"name""Screen eligibility"
"what_happens""Monthly income against California's table (rule:ca_income_table) or SSI (rule:ssi_categorical); priority groups (rule:priority)"
"who_acts""Model + household"
"timeline""Minutes"
"evidence""Household size, monthly income, SSI, own or rent"
"failure_mode""Using annual income against a monthly table"
"model_role""Compare and say the provider decides (s_csd_wap_local)"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:gather_documents"
"order"3
"name""Gather documents"
"what_happens""Proof of income for the prior year (rule:proof_of_income); renters prepare landlord contact"
"who_acts""Household"
"timeline""Before applying"
"evidence""Pay stubs, Social Security statements, landlord contact"
"failure_mode""Missing prior-year income proof"
"model_role""Build the checklist"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:complete_application"
"order"4
"name""Complete application"
"what_happens""Local provider's application"
"who_acts""Household with provider"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Application"
"failure_mode""Applying to a provider outside the county"
"model_role""Find the provider (rule:helpline)"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:submit"
"order"5
"name""Submit"
"what_happens""Application filed with the provider"
"who_acts""Household"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Receipt"
"failure_mode""No proof of filing"
"model_role""Record the date"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:decision"
"order"6
"name""Decision"
"what_happens""Provider determines income eligibility and places the household on a waitlist (rule:waitlist)"
"who_acts""Local provider"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Provider's notice"
"failure_mode""Silence while on the waitlist"
"model_role""Ask the provider for the waitlist position"
"automation_class""B"
10 keys
"id""stage:interview_verification"
"order"7
"name""Interview / verification"
"what_happens""Energy audit at the home; scope of work of cost-effective measures (rule:energy_audit); landlord permission for renters (rule:landlord_permission)"
"who_acts""Energy auditor + household (+ landlord)"
"timeline""When the home is selected"
"evidence""Access to the home; landlord consent"
"failure_mode""Landlord refuses permission"
"model_role""Prepare the landlord request"
"automation_class""C - the audit is in person"
10 keys
"id""stage:issuance_use"
"order"8
"name""Issuance / use"
"what_happens""Work crews or contractors install the measures"
"who_acts""Provider"
"timeline""UNKNOWN"
"evidence""Completed work"
"failure_mode""Work left unfinished"
"model_role""Track completion against the scope of work"
"automation_class""D"
10 keys
"id""stage:denial_response"
"order"9
"name""Denial response"
"what_happens""Read the provider's decision"
"who_acts""Model + household"
"timeline""Immediately; no filing deadline was found"
"evidence""Notice"
"failure_mode""Not appealing"
"model_role""Separate an income denial from a waitlist delay"
"automation_class""A"
10 keys
"id""stage:appeal_fair_hearing"
"order"10
"name""Appeal / fair hearing"
"what_happens""Written appeal to the provider, decided within 15 days (rule:appeal_local); then to CSD (rule:appeal_state)"
"who_acts""Household"
"timeline""Provider decides within 15 days of receiving it"
"evidence""Notice, application"
"failure_mode""Not appealing in writing"
"model_role""Draft the appeal"
"automation_class""B"

The same facts open other programs

The facts weatherization asks for, household size, income and the address, also open:

What this article shares with the graph
JSONWhat this article shares with the graph
6 keys
"program_id""B046"
"graph""california-benefits-graph"
"related_program_ids" 4 items
"B045"
"B043"
"B023"
"B044"
"related_programs" 4 keys
"B045""LIHEAP (energy assistance + crisis + weatherization referral)"
"B043""CARE (California Alternate Rates for Energy)"
"B023""SSI + California SSP"
"B044""FERA (Family Electric Rate Assistance)"
"triggered_by_events"
"shares_facts_with" 4 keys
"household.size" 6 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B045"
"B049"
"household.income.monthly_gross" 8 items
"B001"
"B003"
"B011"
"B021"
"B043"
"B044"
"B045"
"B060"
"benefits.currently_receiving[]" 4 items
"B001"
"B009"
"B043"
"B047"
"person.address.residential.postal_code" 5 items
"B001"
"B035"
"B043"
"B045"
"B058"

Official addresses

Related pages
References (18)
  1. Weatherization Assistance Program — U.S. Department of Energy“reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes, while ensuring their health and safety.”
  2. Weatherization Assistance Program: homes served — U.S. Department of Energy“provides weatherization services to approximately 32,000 homes every year using DOE funds.”
  3. Weatherization Assistance Program: average savings — U.S. Department of Energy“these households save on average $372 or more every year according to a national evaluation of the program.”
  4. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: eligibility — U.S. Department of Energy“Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or that receive Supplemental Security Income are considered under DOE guidelines as eligible for weatherization services.”
  5. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: state option — U.S. Department of Energy“eligibility criteria of 60% of state-median income.”
  6. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: priority — U.S. Department of Energy“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.”
  7. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: owners and renters — U.S. Department of Energy“Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply.”
  8. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: proof of income — U.S. Department of Energy“Your local provider will require your proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or social security payments.”
  9. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: waitlist — U.S. Department of Energy“then your name will be placed on a waitlist.”
  10. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: renters — U.S. Department of Energy“the weatherization provider will work with you and your landlord to receive permission before weatherization work can begin.”
  11. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: energy audit — U.S. Department of Energy“your local WAP provider will schedule an energy auditor to visit your home.”
  12. How to Apply for Weatherization Assistance: who runs it — U.S. Department of Energy“is administered at the state and local level.”
  13. WAP Income Eligibility (California) — California Department of Community Services and Development“For families/households with more than 10 persons, add $946.67”
  14. WAP Income Eligibility (California): local determination — California Department of Community Services and Development“Please contact your local low-income energy services provider to determine your eligibility.”
  15. Filing an Appeal — California Department of Community Services and Development“Weatherization Assistance Program (DOE WAP) benefits or services is denied”
  16. Filing an Appeal: provider decision time — California Department of Community Services and Development“The appeal must be reviewed and a decision rendered no later than 15 days after the appeal is received.”
  17. Filing an Appeal: appeal to CSD — California Department of Community Services and Development“pursuant to Title 22, California Code of Regulations section 100805.”
  18. Home Energy Efficiency — California Department of Community Services and Development“please call our toll-free help line at (866) 675-6623”