South Carolina wildfire home hardening grants & rebates

Home Repair Loans and Grants (Section 504 Home Repair Program)

USDA Rural Development / Rural Housing Service

Loans up to $40,000; grants up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners age 62+

USDA Rural Development helps very-low-income rural homeowners repair, improve, or modernize their homes with low-interest loans, and grants for eligible homeowners age 62+ to remove health and safety hazards. The program can provide up to $40,000 in loan funds and up to $10,000 in grant funds, subject to lifetime limits.

Single Family Housing Section 504 Home Repair Loans and Grants

U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development

Loans up to $40,000; grant portion available for some very-low-income seniors

USDA Rural Development’s Section 504 program offers low-interest loans and grants to very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve, or modernize homes and remove health and safety hazards. The loan amount can be up to $40,000.

Pennsylvania Disaster Recovery Assistance Program

Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

Up to $20,000 for home repairs; temporary housing and personal property assistance are also available

Pennsylvania offers disaster grants to homeowners and renters after certain disasters when other recovery funding is unavailable. The program can pay for home repairs up to $20,000, temporary housing, and replacement of certain personal items.

Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants

USDA Rural Development

Grant up to $15,000 for repairs to homes damaged in a presidentially declared disaster area; loan amount not stated on the page used here.

USDA Rural Development gives eligible rural homeowners low-interest repair loans and, for older very-low-income homeowners, grants to remove health and safety hazards, repair, improve, or modernize a home. Grants can also help repair homes damaged in a presidentially declared disaster, up to $15,000.

EnergizeCT Residential Insulation Incentive

EnergizeCT / Connecticut energy efficiency program sponsors

Up to $2.00/sq. ft. for professional installation, up to $10,000; $0.25/sq. ft. self-install; up to $2.50/sq. ft. for income-qualified or Environmental Justice Community customers

This utility rebate pays homeowners up to $2.00 per square foot for professionally installed insulation, with higher incentives for income-qualified customers. The program is current statewide, so it is available to homeowners in New London County too.

Sec. 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit

Federal government

Up to 30% of eligible costs, with a $3,200 annual maximum.

Federal tax credit for homeowners who make eligible energy-efficiency upgrades, including audits, panel upgrades, heat pumps, heat pump water heaters, and weatherization. The page says the credit can be up to 30% of costs, with a $3,200 annual maximum.

Georgia Power Home Energy Improvement Program

Georgia Power

Up to 50% back, with a maximum of $1,250 for the Home Comfort Bundle; individual measures include up to $150 for a home energy assessment, $200 for attic/ceiling insulation, $300 for air sealing, and $400 for duct sealing.

Georgia Power offers rebates on qualifying home efficiency upgrades, with some services rebating up to 50% of cost and the Home Comfort Bundle going up to $1,250. It is an energy program, not a wildfire-specific hardening program, but some eligible work can overlap with home resilience.

Firewise

Mississippi Forestry Commission

Free workshops and wildfire-home-hardening guidance

A free wildfire-prevention education program that helps Harrison County homeowners learn how to make homes and neighborhoods more resistant to wildfire. The program offers workshops and guidance on home ignition zones, defensible space, and access readiness.

Single Family Housing Disaster Assistance Fund Program

USDA Rural Development

Grants and loans; dollar limits not stated on the page excerpt used here.

USDA Rural Development offers grants and loans to very-low- and low-income rural homeowners whose homes were damaged in a disaster. The page says the program is currently open and accepts applications through September 30, 2026.

Section 502 Single Family Housing Disaster Assistance

USDA Rural Development

No specific amount stated on this disaster-assistance page.

USDA Rural Development says its Single Family Housing programs, including Section 502 home loans and 504 home repair, help rural families buy, build, or repair homes after a disaster. This is a disaster-assistance information page, not a separate homeowner grant program page.

Hazard Mitigation under the Individuals and Households Program – Wildfire Measures

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Additional mitigation funds for eligible wildfire survivors; amount not stated on the fact sheet.

FEMA may provide extra mitigation funds to eligible wildfire survivors who already qualify for Individuals and Households Program home repair assistance. Covered wildfire hardening measures include vent covers and non-combustible gutters and leaf guards.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Community-sponsored mitigation grants; no homeowner cap stated.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds post-disaster projects that reduce future damage to homes, including wildfire mitigation, but homeowners do not apply directly. Local governments or other sponsors apply on their behalf.

Title I Property Improvement Loan Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Insured private loans; balances over $7,500 must be secured against the property.

HUD’s Title I Property Improvement Loan Program lets homeowners finance repairs and improvements through insured private lender loans. HUD says improvements must substantially protect or improve the basic livability or utility of the property.

Section 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

One mortgage can cover purchase/refinance plus rehab; dollar cap not stated on the main page excerpt used here.

HUD’s 203(k) program lets homebuyers and homeowners finance purchase or refinance plus rehabilitation in one FHA-insured mortgage. It is a way to roll home repairs and improvements into mortgage financing.

Wildfire Prepared Home designation program

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS)

No cash payment; homeowners receive a designation/certificate after completing the standard.

IBHS offers Washington homeowners a wildfire-hardening designation program that confirms a home meets science-based wildfire mitigation standards. The state insurance commissioner points homeowners to it as a way to make properties more resistant to wildfire, but this is not a state-funded grant or rebate.

Single Family Housing Disaster Assistance Fund

USDA Rural Development / Rural Housing Service

USDA Rural Development offers grants and loans to low-income rural homeowners to repair homes damaged in certain Presidentially Declared Disaster Areas. The program is for disaster recovery, not routine upgrades, and USDA says it can help remove health and safety hazards caused by a disaster.

FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Typically FEMA pays 75% of eligible HMGP project costs

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds mitigation projects after a presidential major disaster declaration, usually through state, tribal, territorial, or local sponsors rather than directly to homeowners. It can help pay for home elevation, retrofits, wildfire mitigation, safe rooms, and buyouts/relocations when sponsored locally.

FEMA Individuals and Households Program Hazard Mitigation Measures

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Additional mitigation funds tied to FEMA disaster home-repair assistance; no separate cap stated on the page

FEMA can add hazard-mitigation money to eligible disaster home-repair assistance for homeowners after certain disasters. For wildfire-damaged homes, FEMA says it may pay for vent coverings plus non-combustible gutters and leaf guards.

Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Grants

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Varies by underlying FEMA mitigation grant program

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants fund eligible projects that reduce future disaster losses. FEMA’s materials show wildfire mitigation is an eligible activity in the main HMA programs.

Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program

Federal Emergency Management Agency

Varies; FEMA describes it as a pre-disaster flood mitigation grant program

FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance program funds measures that reduce or eliminate long-term flood damage to buildings, including homes. It is a pre-disaster grant program.

SBA Mitigation Assistance

U.S. Small Business Administration

Up to 20% increase on an SBA disaster loan for mitigation

The Small Business Administration lets eligible disaster loan borrowers increase their low-interest disaster loan by up to 20% to make home improvements that reduce future damage. Homeowners can use it after a declared disaster.

Wildfire Prepared Home Program & Certification

Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety

Discounted application fee; possible insurance-rate benefit, not a direct cash payment

Homeowners can pay for an IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home assessment and certification that may help lower insurance rates; New Mexico OSI says residents can use the certificate with insurers and can get a discounted application fee with promo code NM GRANT.

Homeowners Insurance Required Discount for Hurricane-Resistant Shutters, Windows, and Doors

New York State Department of Financial Services

Discount amount not stated on the official page.

New York requires homeowners insurers to provide discounts for hurricane-resistant shutters, windows, and doors. The DFS page also says insurers may offer other discounts for home safety improvements that reduce losses.

Offering of Loss Mitigation Tools and Services and Discounts for Loss Mitigation Devices and Systems

New York State Department of Financial Services

No statewide dollar amount stated; insurers are encouraged to offer free or reduced-fee tools/services and discounts.

DFS urges New York property/casualty insurers to offer free or reduced-fee loss-mitigation tools and services, and to file actuarially appropriate discounts for devices or systems that reduce losses. The circular names items like smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, and deadbolt locks.

Homeowners Insurance Premium Discounts for Loss-Mitigation Devices and Systems

New York State Department of Financial Services

Insurer-specific discount amount not stated.

DFS says New York insurers may offer homeowners premium discounts for loss-mitigation devices and systems such as deadbolt locks, smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, and security systems. Homeowners are told to ask their insurer what savings apply.

Real Property Tax Credit

New York State Department of Taxation and Finance

Refundable tax credit; amount depends on tax form rules and eligibility.

New York offers a refundable income tax credit for some low-income homeowners and renters based on real property taxes, not for hardening work. It is included only because it is a statewide homeowner tax incentive, but it does not fund disaster mitigation improvements.

Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Services Grant

Office of the State Fire Commissioner

The Commonwealth gives grants to volunteer and career fire companies, EMS agencies, and rescue squads for equipment, facilities, training, and related needs. It is not a homeowner program, but it is the main statewide grant page tied to wildfire and other emergency response readiness.

Pennsylvania FAIR Plan basic fire and crime insurance availability

Pennsylvania FAIR Plan

Guaranteed availability of basic fire and crime insurance; no incentive amount stated

Pennsylvania residents are guaranteed access to basic fire and crime insurance through the Pennsylvania FAIR Plan. This is insurance availability, not a home hardening grant or rebate, but it is a statewide insurer-linked home-protection resource.

WeCare Program (LG&E/KU)

LG&E and KU

Free audits, safety checks, education, and weatherization services; no dollar cap stated.

LG&E and KU’s WeCare program provides no-cost energy audits, health and safety checks, education, and weatherization services to income-qualified customers. The Louisville Metro assessment says it can include direct-install measures and deeper weatherization work.

PSO Home Weatherization Assistance

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (Power Forward With PSO)

Free weatherization services; dollar cap not stated in the source found.

PSO offers weatherization services for qualified customers to make homes more comfortable and energy efficient, with free weatherization services mentioned in PSO’s program materials.

EnergizeCT Home Energy Solutions – Income Eligible (HES-IE)

EnergizeCT / Connecticut energy efficiency program sponsors

No-cost service; no cash amount stated

This utility-run program gives income-eligible homeowners a no-cost home energy assessment and weatherization improvements, with some additional services like insulation, windows, or heating and cooling system work. It is not wildfire-specific, but it is a current free home-harden­ing-related service available in Connecticut, including New London County.

EnergizeCT Weatherization Baseline / Energy Efficiency Programs

EnergizeCT / Connecticut energy efficiency program sponsors

Varies by subprogram

EnergizeCT’s utility programs include home weatherization and efficiency services that can improve a home’s envelope and reduce vulnerability to weather impacts. The main site confirms the initiative is funded by the Energy Efficiency Fund, the Connecticut Green Bank, the State, and local electric and gas utilities.

Louisiana Wind Mitigation Incentives / Hurricane Loss Mitigation Insurance Discounts

Louisiana Department of Insurance

Insurance premium discount; amount varies

Louisiana homeowners may qualify for insurance premium discounts for making hurricane and storm mitigation improvements that comply with state code requirements. The Department of Insurance says homeowners need an assessment to document qualifying features.

Firewise Communities Mitigation Cost-Share Program

Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization

No amount stated

HWMO says Firewise communities can use this cost-share program to pay for shared wildfire-reduction work like vegetation management, defensible space, home hardening, and community preparedness. The official page does not list a dollar cap.

Wildfire Home Risk Assessor Program

Hawaiʻi Wildfire Management Organization

Free home wildfire risk assessment service

HWMO offers a free home wildfire risk assessment program for homeowners, helping them identify ignition risks and possible home-hardening improvements. The page says the information may help develop future incentive programs, but it does not promise cash payments.

Neighborhood Energy Saver

Duke Energy

Free home energy assessment plus free installed products valued at up to $300; the page also says customers may save up to $95 on energy bills.

Duke Energy offers eligible residential customers free home energy assessments and free energy-saving products through Neighborhood Energy Saver. The event page says customers may get up to $300 in products installed for free.

Connecticut Weatherization Assistance Program (CT WAP)

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Free weatherization measures; no dollar cap stated.

A state weatherization program for lower-income households that can provide home retrofits and repairs such as air sealing, insulation, and heating system tune-ups.

SC Safe Home Grant Program

South Carolina Department of Insurance

South Carolina’s Safe Home grant program helps eligible homeowners harden homes against hurricane and wind damage. The official notice says homeowners are responsible for costs above the grant award, but it does not give a county-specific Florence County cap on the page snippet available.

Get Alarmed, Tennessee!

Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance, State Fire Marshal’s Office

Free smoke alarms; carbon monoxide detectors are also included in the 2026 expansion

The State Fire Marshal’s Office gives out free smoke alarms, and now carbon monoxide detectors too, through local fire departments. It’s aimed at high-risk homes and can help homeowners in Washington County lower the chance of a deadly residential fire.

PNM wildfire preparedness guidance and vegetation management support

Public Service Company of New Mexico (PNM)

No cash incentive stated on the official page; preparedness guidance only.

PNM provides wildfire-preparedness guidance to customers in its service territory, including trimming vegetation around homes and clearing gutters and debris. The official wildfire-safety page does not describe a homeowner cash program or rebate for hardening a house.

Louisiana Wind Mitigation Survey / Premium Discount

Louisiana Department of Insurance

Louisiana homeowners can get an insurance premium discount for approved wind-hardening features if their insurer offers it and they complete the state wind mitigation survey. The Department of Insurance says admitted insurers must offer actuarially justified wind-mitigation discounts.

Sec. 25D Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit

Federal government

Federal tax credit for qualified clean energy measures; amount not stated on the page.

Federal tax credit for installing new qualified clean energy measures, such as solar, geothermal, fuel cells, and battery storage. The page lists the program but does not state a dollar cap on the snippet provided.

Fannie Mae HomeStyle Energy Mortgage

Fannie Mae

Up to 15% of the property's as-completed value for energy improvements.

A federal mortgage product that lets homebuyers finance energy improvements as part of a HomeStyle Energy mortgage. The page says borrowers may use up to 15% of the property's as-completed value for energy improvements.

Freddie Mac GreenCHOICE Mortgage

Freddie Mac

Financing for completed or to-be-completed energy and water efficiency improvements; no cap stated.

Federal mortgage product that allows buyers to finance completed or to-be-completed energy and water efficiency improvements and repairs through the mortgage. The page does not state a dollar cap.

Federal Housing Agency’s Energy Efficient Mortgage Program

Federal Housing Administration

Energy-efficient improvements can be financed as part of an FHA-insured mortgage; no cap stated.

An FHA mortgage program that lets homebuyers finance energy-efficient improvements as part of an FHA-insured mortgage. The page gives no dollar amount or cap.

Federal Housing Agency’s 203(k) Rehabilitation Mortgage

Federal Housing Administration

Finances renovations, repairs, or remodeling in one loan; no cap stated.

An FHA rehabilitation mortgage that can finance home purchases or refinances and roll renovations, repairs, or remodeling into one loan. The page says it can be used for structural repairs, major remodeling, and improvements that increase energy efficiency or help protect homes from natural disasters.

Dominion Energy EnergyShare

Dominion Energy

Dominion Energy’s EnergyShare program helps qualifying customers pay energy bills and may also provide a free home energy assessment plus free energy-efficiency upgrades. Hanover County lists EnergyShare as a local resource for residents needing utility help.

Pennsylvania Insurance Department homeowners insurance resources

Pennsylvania Insurance Department

Pennsylvania’s Insurance Department publishes homeowners-insurance guidance, including disaster and claim information, but it does not show a statewide homeowner discount or rebate for wildfire hardening. I found no official Pennsylvania statewide insurance-mandated wildfire mitigation discount for homeowners.

Hazard Mitigation and Community Education Grants

Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry

A state wildfire-prevention grant for local communities and organizations, not individual homeowners. It funds wildfire hazard mitigation and education projects, with examples including fuel reduction, thinning, and prescribed burning.

Pennsylvania Municipal Fire Department Capital Grant

Office of the State Fire Commissioner

$25,000 to $100,000

The Commonwealth offers grants to municipal fire departments for facilities and equipment that help them respond to emergencies. This is not a homeowner grant, but it is a statewide public-safety funding program related to wildfire resilience.

Residential Safe Room Program

Indiana Department of Homeland Security

Up to $5,000 maximum rebate; 75% reimbursement

Indiana offers a rebate to help homeowners install safe rooms in residences. The program’s headline benefit is up to $5,000, with reimbursement capped at 75% of eligible costs.

Homeowner Assistance Fund

U.S. Department of the Treasury

Grant assistance for COVID-related housing costs; no hardening-specific amount stated.

The federal Homeowner Assistance Fund was a COVID-era homeowner relief program that could pay certain housing-related costs to prevent delinquency, default, foreclosure, and utility loss. It is not a natural-disaster hardening program, but it is a federal homeowner assistance program that may affect housing costs.

Louisiana Fortified Roof Tax Credit

Louisiana Department of Revenue

100% of qualified roof upgrade expenses

Louisiana offers an income tax credit for 100% of qualified expenses for roofs upgraded to FORTIFIED standards. The state announced a June 30, 2026 deadline for the credit in its 2026 notice.