Weatherization Assistance Program (Tennessee)
Last updated August 2026
This program shrinks the power bill itself. A crew studies your home, then fixes what the numbers justify: insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, sometimes heating repairs. The average is about $8,547 of work per home. It is a grant, not a loan. You repay nothing. THDA funds it, but you apply through the local agency for your county. Find yours with THDA's agency locator, or call 800-228-8432.
The income door is wider than people think: 200 percent of the poverty line. That is $31,300 a year for one person. $42,300 for two. $53,300 for three. $64,300 for four. Better yet: if anyone in the home gets SNAP, LIHEAP, SSI, Families First, or Section 8, you skip the income paperwork entirely.
Renters qualify too. Your landlord signs an agreement and cannot raise the rent for a year after the work. Do not screen yourself out because you do not own the house.
Be honest about the wait. It can be long. Some agencies warn of multi-year lists. And the line moves by priority points, not arrival order. Being 75 or older scores the most points. Then 60 to 74, disability (your own say-so counts), a child under 6, and a heavy power bill. If that sounds like your home, you move up. So get on the list now.
A big problem like a leaking roof gets the job deferred, not denied. You keep your place in line until it is fixed. While you wait, LIHEAP pays toward the bill itself, through the same 19 local agencies. And getting LIHEAP automatically qualifies you here.
Updated August 2026 Program details can change — confirm with the program directly.
Who qualifies
- Income-eligible households; homeowners and renters can both qualify, and priority goes to older adults, people with disabilities, and families with children
- Services are provided at no cost, and the local agency generally responds within 90 days of a complete application
You may qualify. The program makes the final decision.
How to apply
- 1
Find the agency covering your county with THDA's Weatherization Agency Locator at thda.org, or call 800-228-8432.
- 2
Call that agency and ask for a weatherization application. There is no state portal; the local agency owns the process.
- 3
Tell them about anyone 60 or older, any disability, and any child under 6 in the home. Those add priority points and move you up the list.
- 4
Send the papers: ID, income proof for everyone (or proof of SNAP, LIHEAP, SSI, Families First, or Section 8, which skips the income math), 12 months of utility bills, and proof of ownership. Renters add the signed landlord agreement.
- 5
Get the energy audit when your turn comes. The audit decides exactly what work your home gets.
- 6
If the home is deferred for a problem like a roof leak, ask exactly what has to be fixed. You keep your spot once it is.
What to have ready
- Photo ID and proof of citizenship or legal residency for the applicant
- Income proof for everyone in the home, or proof of SNAP, LIHEAP, SSI, Families First, or Section 8
- 12 months of utility bills and a signed Energy Bill Release Form
- Proof you own the home, or the landlord agreement if you rent
- Your local agency confirms its exact checklist.
What the application looks like
Common questions
Is weatherization really free?
Yes. It is grant money, not a loan, and there is nothing to repay. The average investment is about $8,547 of work per home.
What is the income limit for weatherization in Tennessee?
200 percent of the poverty level: $31,300 for one person, $42,300 for two, $53,300 for three, $64,300 for four, plus $11,000 each added person. Anyone in the home on SNAP, LIHEAP, SSI, Families First, or Section 8 qualifies without income paperwork.
Can renters get weatherization?
Yes. The landlord signs an agreement before work starts and cannot raise the rent for one year afterward.
How long is the weatherization waiting list?
It can run years at some agencies, and the line moves by priority points, not arrival order. Age 75 plus scores highest, then 60 to 74, disability, a child under 6, and high energy costs. Apply now so the clock is running.
How do I apply for weatherization?
Through the local agency serving your county, never through THDA directly. Find yours with THDA's agency locator online or at 800-228-8432.
My home was deferred. Is that a denial?
No. Deferral means something like moisture or a roof problem must be fixed before crews can work safely. Your job stays on the priority list, so ask the agency exactly what needs fixing.
Not sure this is the right program for your situation?
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