Weatherization Assistance for Low-Income Persons
Related Programs
Examples of Funded Projects
State funded local action agencies install energy conservation measures in the homes of low-income persons.
The Department of Energy's goal is to advance national, economic and energy security in the U.S.; to promote scientific and technological innovation in support of that goal; and to ensure environmental cleanup of the national nuclear weapons complex.
Program Accomplishments
Over 5.5 million homes have been weatherized with DOE funds since 1976.
Uses and Use Restrictions
Improvement of the thermal efficiency 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.
States may average expenditures per dwelling unit for materials, program support and labor costs not to exceed $2,500 adjusted annually for inflation.
Up to 10 percent of each grant may be spent by a State and its subgrantees for administrative expenses (a State may not use more than 5 percent of the total State grant for such purposes).
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
States, including the District of Columbia, and in certain instances, Native American tribal organizations.
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.
Beneficiary Eligibility
All low-income households are eligible to receive weatherization assistance. A low-income household is one whose combined income falls at or below 125 percent of the 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.
Credentials/Documentation
The Department of Energy (DOE) requires that grantees meet certain statutory and administrative requirements which can be found in the Weatherization Program Guidelines available from DOE offices. Governors or their designated agencies must apply for grants to the appropriate DOE office and submit State Plans and applications pursuant to E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." Costs will be determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-87 for State and local governments.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
No preapplication form is required by the DOE.
This program is eligible for coverage under E.O.
12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." A copy of the final State plan must accompany the grant application from the State.
Consultation and assistance will be available from the DOE in the preparation of the application.
Applicants for sub-awards from the states should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance.
Application Procedures
For applications from states, it is expected that Grants.gov will be utilized from FY 2006 forward. The application forms must be downloaded from the specific funding opportunity announcement posted on the Grants.gov web-site: http://www.grants.gov/ Applicants for sub-awards from the states should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance.
Award Procedures
Grant applications will be reviewed by DOE office staff. Grant procedures will be accomplished in accordance with Federal government regulations. Notification of grant awards will be made by the DOE Office Director serving the applicant State.
Deadlines
State applications must be received within 60 days from the date the State receives notification of eligibility to apply for funding.
Authorization
Energy Conservation and Production Act, Title IV, Part A, Public Law 94-385, 42 U.S.C. 6851-6872; Department of Energy Organization Act of 1977, as amended, Public Law 95-91, 42 U.S.C. 7101; National Energy Conservation Policy Act of 1978, Title II, Part 2, Public Law 95-619, 92 Stat. 3206; Energy Security Act of 1980, Title V, Subtitle E, Public Law 96-294; Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1984, Public Law 98-558, 98 Stat. 2888; State Energy Efficiency Programs Improvement Act of 1990, Public Law 101-440.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately 30 days.
Appeals
If an application is disapproved, the DOE office Director shall issue a written notice which will be sent to the applicant by registered mail. A public hearing will be held no later than 15 days after receipt of such notice. The DOE office Director will issue a final determination not later than 5 working days after the public hearing. In the event of an adverse final determination by the DOE office Director, the applicant may file a written appeal to the Secretary not later than 10 working days after receipt of the DOE office Director's determination. The Secretary will have 21 working days to consider the appeal and if no action is taken the decision of the DOE office Director will stand.
Renewals
Financial assistance will be provided from sums appropriated for any fiscal year only upon annual application.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The statistical factors used for fund allocation are: (1) Heating degree days and the source is "State Level Heating and Cooling Degree Days," over a 30-year period (1951 to 1980), NOAA; (2) cooling degree days and the source is "State Level Heating and Cooling Degree Days" over a 30-year period (1951 to 1980), NOAA; (3) the number of low-income owner occupied dwelling units and the source is 1990 Decennial Census, from the Bureau of the Census; (4) number of low-income renter occupied dwelling units and the source is the 1990 Decennial Census from the Bureau of the Census; (5) the percentage of total residential heating used for space heating and the source is the "1987 Residential Energy Consumption Survey" published by DOE, Energy Information Administration; and (6) the percentage of total residential energy used for space cooling and the source is the "1987 Residential Energy Consumption Survey" published by DOE, Energy Information Administration. The statistical factor used for eligibility is the dwelling units occupied by families with incomes at or below 125 percent or if the State elects, 150 percent or 60 percent of State median income as defined under the HHS LIHEAP Program of the "OMB Poverty Guidelines."
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Authorized funding is established by ECPA, NECPA, and ESA.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Quarterly program and financial reports.
Annual monitoring, leveraging, training, and technical assistance reports.
Audits
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A- 133, (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that receive financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements that year, except as noted in Circular No. A- 133.
Records
Will be required in accordance with 10 CFR 600.
Financial Information
Account Identification
89-0215-0-1-999.
Obigations
FY 07 $204,356,661; FY 08 est $122,090,951; and FY 09 est $150,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The average State grant is $2,744 per household.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Weatherization Assistance guidelines published June 1, 1977. Amendments to guidelines published January 2, 1979, August 29, 1979, February 27, 1980, June 1, 1981, March 1, 1982, January 27, 1984, January 4, 1985, December 5, 1985, March 4 1993, June 5, 1995, and December 8, 2000.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Office of Weatherization and Intergovernmental Program, EE-2K, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585. Telephone: (877) 337-3463.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
DOE requires that grantees meet certain statutory and administrative requirements which can be found in the Weatherization Program Guidelines available from DOE Regional Offices.
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