How to Qualify for Stimulus Money for Weatherizing or Insulating a Home
The Federal stimulus package money (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) is available for many Americans to insulate or winterize or weatherize their homes, but there are guidelines to qualify for these funds.
If you have been wanting to know if you might qualify, this article will give starting basics and website information for checking with your State to see if you can winterize or insulate your home with help from the Energy Department and the State you live in.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- a computer
- a home
- an interest in winterizing or insulating your home
-
-
1
Qualify by income. The income ceiling on the individual winterizing and insulating is $44,100 for a family of four. If your income is less, or if you have a larger family than four even with a greater income, you may qualify. The individual states are administering this part of the stimulus package.
-
2
Know that this is not a tax credit. This requires home ownership and an income under $44,100 for family of four. If you own a home and meet the income requirements, you may be able to qualify.
-
3
Qualify for a specific amount. Entitlement is up to $6,500 in insulating and winterizing your home that will decrease energy consumption and your utility bills for years to come.
-
4
Contact your State office that regulates and administers this program. The Resources below show the Texas website. If you are from another state, you can check the Texas site and see if you can locate a similar site for your state. The resources are available, but the program seems to be obscure, so you may have to dig to find your State program.
-
5
File an Application for this funding. If approved, workmen will come to your house and do the work. You will not receive the funds directly, but the funds will be paid to the workmen.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Be persistent. There is a program available, and some news reports indicate that there is more money available than qualifying homeowners in several states. If you think you qualify, insist that you get an application from your State.
There are other energy programs available under the stimulus package, too, in the form of tax credits for your next U.S. tax return. There are also funds available for public housing and small businesses.
copyright 2009 Linda Richard
This is not legal advice, but simply directions to help you locate the program and state office that may be able to assist you.
Related Searches
Resources
- Photo Credit images from the author
