Home maintenance & planning · Checklists and planning · Updated November 2026
Home Improvement Assistance Directory: Government, Utility and Nonprofit Help
Many households qualify for help with home repairs, weatherization or accessibility changes and do not know it. These are national programs and finders. Most are run locally, so the links below help you find the office that serves your area.
How this page is different
This directory is information only. We do not receive payment from these programs, and they are separate from the contractor connections and call lines elsewhere on FixFinch. Programs, funding and eligibility change often; confirm details with the program before applying. Last verified November 2026.
Energy bills and weatherization
| Program | What it can help with | Who it serves | How to find your local office |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) | Heating and cooling bills, energy crises such as shutoffs; in some states, weatherization and furnace or AC repair | Households within state income limits; renters may qualify | Contact your local LIHEAP office, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at (866) 674-6327. LIHEAP consumer FAQ |
| Weatherization Assistance Program (U.S. Department of Energy) | Energy efficiency improvements such as insulation and air sealing | Income-eligible households; run by state and local agencies | Find your state weatherization administrator: how to apply |
| Utility and state rebates | Rebates for insulation, heat pumps, water heaters and more | Varies by utility and state | DSIRE incentives database and the ENERGY STAR rebate finder |
Home repairs
| Program | What it can help with | Who it serves | How to find your local office |
|---|---|---|---|
| USDA Section 504 Home Repair loans and grants | Loans up to $40,000 at 1% for repairs; grants up to $10,000 to remove health and safety hazards | Very-low-income homeowners in eligible rural areas; grants for ages 62+ | Contact a USDA Rural Development office through rd.usda.gov |
| Rebuilding Together | Repairs such as roofs, ramps, grab bars, HVAC and windows | Typically households at or below 80% of area median income; often older adults, veterans, people with disabilities and families | Find a local affiliate |
| 211 | Referrals to local repair, utility and emergency programs | Anyone | Dial 211 or visit 211.org |
| Disaster assistance | Help after federally declared disasters | Survivors in declared areas | DisasterAssistance.gov |
Accessibility and aging in place
| Program | What it can help with | Who it serves | How to find your local office |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eldercare Locator (Administration for Community Living) | Connects to local home modification and repair programs through Area Agencies on Aging | Older adults and caregivers | Search by ZIP code |
| VA disability housing grants (SAH, SHA, TRA) | Adapting a home for a service-connected disability; SAH up to $126,526 and SHA up to $25,350 for fiscal 2026 | Veterans and service members with qualifying disabilities | VA disability housing grants |
For planning the changes themselves, see the aging-in-place room-by-room checklist.
Before you apply
- Gather proof of income, ownership, and recent utility bills.
- Apply early in the program year; funding often runs out.
- Be wary of anyone who charges a fee to "guarantee" a grant. Government programs do not.
- Ask whether the program uses its own contractors or lets you choose.
Sources
- Administration for Children and Families: LIHEAP FAQs for consumers, accessed November 2026
- U.S. Department of Energy: How to apply for weatherization assistance, accessed November 2026
- USDA Rural Development: Section 504 Home Repair fact sheet, accessed November 2026
- VA: Disability housing grants for veterans, fiscal year 2026 amounts; accessed November 2026
- Eldercare Locator: Home repair, accessed November 2026
- Rebuilding Together: FAQ, accessed November 2026
- U.S. Department of Energy: About DSIRE, accessed November 2026
Cost figures are national ranges from the sources listed above, not a quote from FixFinch or any contractor.