Hey, Section 8 Tenants! Getting cold feet about being able to pay for your heating bills?
The end of the month is coming, and you have the dreaded payment. No, not the rent payment, though that’s bad, too, and never fun to pay. However, I’m talking about the heating bill. You know, that bill that seems to be higher than all of your neighbor’s heating bills—put together?
You might want to check into the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP).
Introducing the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is not an emergency heating service. It is a federally funded, low-income energy conservation program.
In short, it is a program to modify homes where a low-income person is living. The entire focus is to reduce the energy bills. This has a twofold benefit. It reduces the out-of-pocket cost for the low-income person living in the property, and it reduces energy waste, a very important President Obama initiative.
The allowable modifications include
* Wall Insulation
* Attic Insulation and Ventilation
* Foundation Insulation
* Air Leakage Reduction
* Smoke Detectors
* Dryer Venting
These modifications can be done to a low-income person’s home that he or she owns, or these modifications can be done to a property where a low-income person is renting. However, any changes must be approved by the landlord.
Who qualifies for WAP assistance?
Eligibility is based on household income being at or below 200% of the federal poverty guidelines. Recipients of the Family Independence Program (FIP) administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS) or those who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) automatically qualify for this no-cost program.