Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Families Are Getting More Money to Weatherize Their Homes

The commonwealth will receive $186 million through the Weatherization Assistance Program, money that will help thousands of families make their homes more energy efficient.

Pennsylvania is getting a substantial increase in federal funds to help low-income families save on energy bills.

Thanks to last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, Pennsylvania’s funding from the Weatherization Assistance Program has increased by tenfold, from $18 million to $186 million. This funding will pay for retrofitting the homes of thousands of eligible families to make them more energy efficient while lowering utility bills.

The increase in funding should help address weatherization needs for the nearly 10,000 Pennsylvania households currently on a wait list for the program, according to US Sen. Bob Casey (D).

“Thanks to the infrastructure law, we’re going to help more families than ever before, particularly those who live in communities that are disproportionately impacted by high energy costs,” Casey said in a statement. “This is another example of how the Biden Administration is working to lower costs for families and ease the burden on our planet.”

Under the program, households are eligible for new insulation, updated heating and cooling systems, and upgrading electrical appliances to more energy-efficient models. On average, each household receives about $8,000.

Individuals at or below 200% of the federal poverty level are eligible, with priority given to higher risk residents such as the elderly, disabled individuals, families with children, and high energy users.

Click here for more information on the program or to apply.