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The Montana Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) is designed to help low income residents save fuel and money, while increasing the comfort of their homes. Its mission is to insulate the dwellings of low-income persons, particularly the elderly, persons with disabilities, families with children, high residential energy users, and households with a high energy burden, in order to conserve needed energy and to aid those persons least able to afford higher utility costs.

General Program Requirements
In order to qualify for this benefit program, you must be a resident of the state of Montana, your household's annual income before taxes must not exceed $18,200 if one person lives in the household; $24,500 if two people live in the household; $30,800 if three people live in the household; $37,100 if four people live in the household; $43,400 if five people live in the household; $49,700 if six people live in the household; $56,000 if seven people live in the household; and $62,300 if eight people live in the household. For larger households, add $5,610 for each additional person in the home.

Your Next Steps
The following information will lead you to the next steps to apply for this benefit.

Application Process
To find out where to apply for energy assistance, contact the Montana Citizen's Advocate, toll-free at 1-800-332-2272 Or can also visit the energy assistance eligibility office nearest you:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/programsservices/energyassistance/eligibilityoffices.shtml

You can download an application form from the following website:
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/programsservices/energyassistance/energyassistanceApp2010-2011.pdf

Program Contact Information
If you need additional information please contact the Department of Public Health and Human Services via email at:

dphhstech@state.mt.us

CLICK HERE

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) enables low-income families to permanently reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings of needy families using the most advanced technologies and testing protocols available in the housing industry. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) provides funding to states, U.S. overseas territories, and Indian tribal governments, which manage the day-to-day details of the program. These governments, in turn, fund a network of local community action agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local governments that provide these weatherization services in every state, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and among Native American tribes.

The energy conservation resulting from these efforts of state and local agencies helps our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil and decrease the cost of energy for families in need while improving the health and safety of their homes. During the past 33 years, WAP has provided weatherization services to more than 6.4 million low-income households. Families receiving weatherization services see their annual energy bills reduced by an average of about $437, depending on fuel prices. Because the energy improvements that make up weatherization services are long lived, the savings add up over time to substantial benefits for weatherization clients and their communities, and the nation as a whole.
Program Guidance

Find DOE documents for grant recipients—states, U.S. overseas territories, and Indian tribal governments—for how to administer the Weatherization Assistance Program.
Recovery Act
Recovery Act Logo

Find DOE guidance documents and instructions for grant recipients who will distribute $5 billion worth of weatherization services to low-income families. These materials include training videos, frequently asked questions for DOE administrators, and materials about how to comply with the Davis-Bacon Act requirements of the 2009 Recovery Act.

    * Recovery Act Funding to the States
    * Training and Technical Assistance Plan
    * Historic Preservation Programmatic Agreements

President Barack Obama.
Video of President Obama Addressing Jobs Forum

Watch a video of President Barack Obama addressing the Jobs and Economic Growth Forum at the White House on December 3, where he stressed the importance of weatherization in spurring job growth.
UT-Battelle Oak Ridge National Laboratory
WAPTAC logo

Oak Ridge National Laboratory gives technical support and evaluations.
Residential Retrofit Guidelines

DOE is facilitating development of national guidelines for home energy retrofits that include standard work specifications and skill standards for energy retrofit workers.
For Weatherization Practitioners

The Weatherization Assistance Program Technical Assistance Center provides weatherization practitioners and other energy conservation professionals with guidance for program operations and fosters community partnerships to advance weatherization.
For Individuals

Individuals should contact their state weatherization agency to apply for weatherization. DOE does not provide services directly to individuals.
Program Guidance
Department of Labor Weatherization Wage Determinations
Department of Labor Weatherization Wage Determinations: Revised December 2009
Weatherization Innovation Pilot Program

Contacts | Web Site Policies | U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov
Content Last Updated: 09/23/2010

CLICK HERE

For website information.

Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program

Weatherization Program

    * Program description
    * How to Apply for Assistance
    * PY09 Annual Application documents
    * Program facts
    * Program history
    * Fact sheets
    * Operational Manual
    * Training and Field Guide
    * Federal Links

Energy Funding Opportunities - Main Page

LIWAP Program

Home heating is a high-cost basic necessity. For people with low incomes, the decision to pay the utility bill may mean deciding between being warm in the winter or having well-balanced meals. Other low-income people live in older homes that may not have insulation or efficient heating systems. Weatherization is a long-term response to these problems.

A home that has been weatherized can reduce average annual fuel consumption per dwelling by up to 13.5 percent, with electricity at 12.2 percent and natural gas at 23.4 percent, making it a cost-effective means to help low-income families with their energy bills.  Lasting energy-efficient improvements are installed in the home, resulting in lower utility bills year after year.  This reduces the amount of assistance needed to pay higher utility bills in low-income households.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Energy administers federal funds to
16 regional Community Action Agencies, one city government and one not-for-profit organization. Allocations to these agencies are based on the percentage of the state's total low-income households within each service area.

Since 1977, more than
155,000 Missouri homes
have been weatherized.

The agencies provide weatherization services to eligible clients, as well as training and guidance. Newspaper, radio, television, utility bill stuffers and other advertising methods are used to publicize the services.

The program saves clients dollars and stimulates the state and local economy. The agencies use their own crews or contract the work to area businesses. Most products are purchased from state and regional manufacturers. Indirectly, through an economic multiplier effect, weatherization funds are used and reused, stimulating the state's businesses, economy and creating jobs.
How to Apply for Assistance

To apply for assistance, clients should contact their local weatherization agency.

The agency will ask the clients to complete the appropriate forms, including income documentation to verify eligibility. Once the client is verified as eligible, an auditor from the agency will conduct a pre-inspection of the home to determine what steps will produce the greatest energy savings. The next step is for the agency crew or contractor to install the energy efficient measures on the home. After the weatherization of the home is complete, a quality control inspector will examine the home to ensure the quality of work and completeness. The Division of Energy monitors the work of the agencies to ensure state and federal guidelines are followed.

Weatherization Program Facts

Since the program began in 1978, weatherization funds have helped to weatherize more than 157,000 Missouri homes. The program supports energy-efficient housing, long-term reduction in utility bills and the comfort and safety of those served. The elderly, physically disadvantaged and families with children are program priorities.

The weatherization program puts money into counties and local communities to support local jobs for people. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, weatherization creates 52 direct jobs and 23 indirect jobs for every million invested. For Missouri, the program currently supports 450 jobs annually.

Primary funding for Missouri's weatherization efforts comes from the U.S. Department of Energy's Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program. These funds are administered by the department's Division of Energy according to LIWAP guidelines. Through agreements made with the Division of Energy in rate adjustment cases and other regulatory matters, further funding is also provided by the following companies to weatherize additional homes in their service areas:

    * AmerenUE
    * Aquila
    * Atmos Energy
    * Empire District Electric Company
    * Kansas City Power and Light Company
    * Laclede Gas Company
    * Missouri Gas Energy

LIWAP History

In 1977, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources responded to the energy crisis of the early 1970s, establishing the Low-Income Weatherization Program (LIWAP) in the Division of Energy. The program provided Missouri's low-income households, especially targeting the physically disadvantaged, elderly, children and others hit hardest by the energy crisis.  The program aims to lower utility bills and improve comfort while ensuring health and safety.

In the early years, LIWAP used volunteer labor and temporary measures. However, changes in federal regulations, technology, and the needs of Missourians have changed the program. Today, professional trained staff install permanent, cost-effective energy efficient weatherization improvements.

Weatherization Fact Sheets

All files listed below are in PDF format unless other noted.

    * Low-Income Weatherization, Fact Sheet--PUB1217 (04/06)
    * Low-Income Weatherization Assistance Program, Flyer--PUB1254 (02/09)
    * Missouri Closeup Fact Sheet

Operational Manual - Missouri Weatherization Program
Cover and Table of Contents            

Section 1:
Table of Contents
    Subgrantee Overview     Attachments

Section 2:
Table of Contents
    Client Services     Attachments

Section 3:
Table of Contents
    Technical Standards and Best Practices     Attachments

Section 4:
Table of Contents
    Reports and Recordkeeping     Attachments 1-14
Attachment 15.1-4

Section 5:
Table of Contents
    Financial Management     Attachments

Section 6:
Table of Contents
    Procurement     Attachments
State Plans    

PY09 State Plan - Annual File
PY09 State Plan - Master File
     

Weatherization State Plans
DRAFT PY10 Plan Documents

    * PY10 State Plan - DRAFT Annual File
    * PY10 State Plan - DRAFT Master File

PY09 plan documents

    * PY09 Plan Documents (regular annual funding )
          o PY09 State Plan - Annual File
          o PY09 State Plan - Master File
    * ARRA Plan Documents (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding)
          o ARRA - PY09 State Plan - Annual File
          o ARRA - PY09 State Plan - Master File

Weatherization Network Training

    * Upcoming Missouri Energy-Efficiency Training Classes (updated April 1, 2010) Updated icon.

Weatherization Field Guide for Missouri

    * Weatherization Field Guide for Missouri 7.6 MB

Federal program links

    * DOE Federal Regulations, Program Guidance and Legislative Updates