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1. What are the income guidelines for the program?

Your household must be at or below 80% AMI of the federal poverty level to qualify for the Weatherization Assistance Program. Income eligibility is established based on the previous 3 months income for the household.

UPDATE: 06/30/23 ~~ Income guidelines for the Weatherization program have been updated recently. The income limit has approximately doubled. Call 734-544-3008 for exact details to see if you might qualify under these new eligibility limits.

• For a family of 1 the maximum annual income is $66,300
• For a family of 2 the maximum annual income is $75,750
• For a family of 3 the maximum annual income is $85,200
• For a family of 4 the maximum annual income is $94,650
• For a family of 5 the maximum annual income is $102,250
• For a family of 6 the maximum annual income is $109,800
• For a family of 7 the maximum annual income is $119,250
• For a family of 8 the maximum annual income is $128,700

Add $9,450 for each additional household member.

2. Who can automatically qualify?

If a member of the household receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI), State Disability Assistance (SDA), cash benefits through the Family Independence Program (FIP) then the applicant is automatically eligible for Weatherization. Receipt of any of these benefits within the previous 3 months makes an applicant eligible. We will need documentation of those benefits, and also documentation of any other income that the applicant may have.

3. What type of work can be done and what cannot be done?

The program is designed to perform energy saving repairs and measures. This can include but is not limited to: 

• Insulation of attics, walls, and crawl spaces
• Air sealing work such as foaming gaps and holes in attics and foundations
• Replacements or repairs of inefficient furnaces, hot water heaters, and refrigerators
• Fresh air bath fan

We do not do any plumbing or electrical work. We do not install wheelchair ramps, fix gutters, repair steps, replace windows or address other issues unrelated to energy savings.

4. If I am approved, how long will it take before work on my home will begin?

The application process may take up to three months.  We have many new applicants and a detailed application review process has to be completed before you can be approved or denied.  After approval, it can take up to 6 months or more before the project begins.

5. Will you replace my windows?

The Weatherization program does not replace windows.  As an energy saving measure, new windows generally do not provide good energy savings.

6. Can you replace my roof?

In some cases we are able to do roof repairs if it allows us to perform other energy saving repairs such as adding attic insulation. It is however very rare and contingent on the availability of funds for the program to do a roof replacement. The need for a roof work can only be determined during the inspection, so it is beneficial to apply to the program if you would like to have your roof evaluated.

7. Can you replace my furnace or hot water heater?

In some cases but only after the inspection takes place. If the applicant is without heat or hot water we will make our best effort to inspect the home quickly but will still need a completed application (PDF) with all required documentation before we can proceed.

8. Can renters qualify?

Yes, we can weatherize rental units (single family up to a 4 Plex), but we have to have the approval of the landlord.  Note that for duplexes to 4 Plex properties all residents must apply to the program at the same time, though not all residents of the property need to be eligible to receive help.

Note: The Department of Energy Regulations restrict the weatherization of 4 story or larger buildings.

9. Can mobile homes qualify?

Yes, but due to a required "savings to investment ratio," our grant requirements may mean that it is more difficult to move forward with improvements on a mobile home. A copy of the mobile home title must be submitted as proof of ownership.  Please contact us so we can determine how to best serve your household.

10. Do you replace refrigerators?

We are able to replace a refrigerator. That decision is made based on the initial inspection which will determine the condition and current energy usage of the refrigerator. If we determine that we can replace the refrigerator we will order one and a delivery company will arrange with the client to deliver it to the house and remove the older unit. It is a one for one replacement. We remove the old unit and replace it with a basic white energy star rated model with a freezer on top. We make sure it is a comparable size, but do not install ice makers, side by sides, or any other luxury items.

11. My home was weatherized in the past, can my home be weatherized again?

Yes, clients are eligible to apply every 15 years.

12. What information do you need to provide when applying?

In order to determine eligibility, the applicant must fill out a complete application. They also need to provide:

• Income documentation:
  • Level of income must be at or below 80% of area median income
  • Income documentation is required for the previous 3 months from date of application for all household members
  • Even if the client automatically qualifies, we still want to make an effort to document their income
• Proof of home ownership:
  • Copy of deed, title or tax bill is sufficient
  • Title only for mobile home
• Recent utility bill
• If renting, then the landlord must agree to and sign the landlord agreement (PDF).

13. What is required for income documentation?

More documentation is better when it comes to an applicant. However, we do not need 3 months worth of documents. We can work with:

• Pay Stubs which show a gross Year To Date (YTD) from 3 months prior to submitting the application, along with the most recent pay stub (if the applicant was at the same job for the entire 3 month period)
• Social Security or other benefit letters that show a gross amount per month
• Letter from an employer on their letterhead detailing income information
• If no income, then a notarized declaration of no income will do
• If self-employed, then a notarized declaration of self-income will do