| The end of the month is coming, and you have the | | | | administered by the Department of Human Services |
| dreaded payment. No, not the rent payment, | | | | (DHS) or those who receive Supplemental Security |
| though that's bad, too, and never fun to pay. | | | | Income (SSI) automatically qualify for this no-cost |
| However, I'm talking about the heating bill. You | | | | program. |
| know, that bill that seems to be higher than all of | | | | |
| your neighbor's heating bills—put together? | | | | 2009 Income Guidelines—Continental United States |
| You might want to check into the Weatherization | | | | (not including Hawaii and Alaska) |
| Assistance Program (WAP). | | | | Group Size.................. Poverty Line... 200% of Poverty Line |
| | | | | One (1)....................... $10,830.......... $21,660 |
| Introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program | | | | Two (2)....................... $14,570.......... $29,140 |
| (WAP) | | | | Three (3)..................... $18,310.......... $36,620 |
| The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is not | | | | Four (4)...................... $22,050.......... $44,100 |
| an emergency heating service. It is a federally | | | | Five (5)....................... $25,790.......... $51,580 |
| funded, low-income energy conservation program. | | | | Six (6)......................... $29,530.......... $59,060 |
| In short, it is a program to modify homes where a | | | | Seven (7).................... $33,270.......... $66,540 |
| low-income person is living. The entire focus is to | | | | Eight (8)...................... $37,010.......... $74,020 |
| reduce the energy bills. This has a twofold benefit. | | | | Each Additional Member: Add $3,740 and $7,480. |
| It reduces the out-of-pocket cost for the low-income | | | | In addition to income guidelines, the home must be |
| person living in the property, and it reduces energy | | | | inspected, also. That will determine the |
| waste, a very important President Obama initiative. | | | | energy-based need and the amount of it. |
| The allowable modifications include | | | | |
| - Wall Insulation | | | | What are the steps to getting WAP assistance? |
| - Attic Insulation and Ventilation | | | | 1. Call Your Local Agency |
| - Foundation Insulation | | | | 2. Visit Your Local Agency to Apply |
| - Air Leakage Reduction | | | | 3. Eligibility based upon Income is Determined. |
| - Smoke Detectors | | | | 4. Energy Consultation is Conducted (Energy Bill |
| - Dryer Venting | | | | History Review and Property Inspection) |
| These modifications can be done to a low-income | | | | 5. Inspection Agency Auditor Meets to Explain |
| person's home that he or she owns, or these | | | | Modifications |
| modifications can be done to a property where a | | | | 6. Authorized Workers Perform Energy Modifications |
| low-income person is renting. However, any changes | | | | 7. Post-Inspection Verification Takes Place |
| must be approved by the landlord. | | | | 8. Enjoy Lower Energy Bills |
| | | | | So Section 8 Tenants (or Homeowners), if you think |
| Who qualifies for WAP assistance? | | | | that you might be paying too much for your energy |
| Eligibility is based on household income being at or | | | | bills, take a closer look at the Weatherization |
| below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. | | | | Assistance Program (WAP). You might be able to |
| Recipients of the Family Independence Program (FIP) | | | | find a way to lower them--without it costing you. |