Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

How it works

The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) annually provides grant funds to community action agencies and other nonprofit agencies to deliver weatherization services to low-income Arkansas households. The program is intended to reduce energy usage in homes that are severely energy inefficient and to make homes more comfortable and safe. It operates year-round.

After a household is determined eligible, the local agency schedules an energy inspection. A trained Energy Auditor completes a full inspection of the home’s energy and health-and-safety concerns and prepares a work order/job write-up. Weatherization service providers then use crews or local private-sector contractors to complete the work at no cost to the occupants.

What the money covers

The actual conservation work depends on the specific needs of the home and DOE-approved conservation measures. Typical measures include:

• Air sealing
• Attic, floor, and/or sidewall insulation
• Weather-stripping
• Heating and air conditioning repairs and replacement
• Health and safety services such as installing carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and ventilation fans
• Installing LED light bulbs
• Minor repairs associated with the weatherization work

All work receives a thorough quality control inspection by the local agency’s Quality Control Inspector.

Amounts and matching

The page says an average grant of $5,000 per home, or the current average, is awarded for installed energy efficiency measures. No client contribution is required.

The page also says AEO uses DOE WAP funds plus LIHEAP funds, and that subgrantees are encouraged to leverage the utility-funded Arkansas Weatherization Program (AWP). If a home has both electric and gas utilities, an agency could receive an additional $1,058 to $2,116 toward retrofitting the home. The page explains these leveraged funds are used to “buy down” the DOE investment so DOE funds can be used to complete more units.

How to apply

Applicants must apply with the local community action agency or nonprofit serving the county where the house is located and be determined eligible.

Timing and deadlines

The program is operational year-round. The page also references a public hearing held on August 26, 2026, for the 2026-2027 proposed state plan.

Local providers

The state says WAP service providers operate throughout all of Arkansas’s 75 counties. The page lists five service providers overall, and provides county coverage for one solicitation area including Arkansas, Ashley, Bradley, Chicot, Cleveland, Desha, Drew, Grant, Jefferson, Lee, Lincoln, Monroe, Phillips, and Prairie counties.