{
  "name": "medfrail.com home help rules",
  "version": "2026-10-22",
  "note": "Public programs that can help an older or disabled person with little money keep a home safe, warm and repaired. Every line says what the agency's own page says, and names that page and the day it was read. Where the agency publishes no amount, amount is empty and the page says 'Ask the agency'. The agency decides who qualifies; this file only says what its page says. Read 2026-10-22.",
  "fields": {
    "id": "short key",
    "program": "the program's name",
    "agency": "who runs it",
    "area": "US = every state; CO = Colorado only",
    "helps_with": "bills (heating and cooling bills), drafty (a cold or drafty home), repair (repairs for health and safety), any (a finder for local help)",
    "what": "what it does, in plain words",
    "who_it_is_for": "who the agency page says can apply",
    "amount": "the dollar figures the agency publishes; empty when it publishes none",
    "how_to_ask": "how to apply or ask, from the agency page",
    "phone": "the agency's own number, as it prints it",
    "match": "the tap answers that make this row show first (a hint for the person, never a decision)",
    "source": "the agency page the row was read from",
    "read": "the day that page was read",
    "quotes": "exact words from the source page; every number in the row appears in one of them"
  },
  "programs": [
    {
      "id": "liheap",
      "program": "Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)",
      "agency": "U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community Services",
      "area": "US",
      "helps_with": ["bills", "drafty", "repair"],
      "what": "Helps pay home heating and cooling bills, helps in an energy crisis such as a shutoff, and can help with weatherization and small energy-related home repairs.",
      "who_it_is_for": "Households with low incomes, most of all those whose heating and cooling bills take a big share of their income, or who have someone older, disabled, or a young child at home. You apply through your state's program.",
      "amount": "",
      "how_to_ask": "Find your state's program with the national search tool, or call the National Energy Assistance Referral line at 1-866-674-6327 on weekdays, 9 am to 7 pm Eastern. LIHEAP does not charge a fee. If someone offers you a LIHEAP grant or asks for a fee, call the HHS fraud line at 1-800-447-8477.",
      "phone": "1-866-674-6327",
      "links": [{ "label": "Find your state's energy help", "url": "https://liheapch.acf.hhs.gov/search-tool/" }],
      "match": { "need": ["bills", "drafty"], "state": "not CO", "home": ["own", "rent"] },
      "source": "https://www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "LIHEAP provides federally funded assistance to reduce the costs associated with home energy bills, energy crises, weatherization, and minor energy-related home repairs.",
        "LIHEAP benefits target households with low incomes, particularly those that have a high home energy burden (percentage of income that goes to heating and cooling bills) and/or have members who are elderly, disabled, or a young child.",
        "You may also contact the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) number at 1-866-674-6327.",
        "at 1-866-674-6327 on weekdays 9:00 am to 7:00 pm (Eastern Time).",
        "LIHEAP does not charge a fee for receiving a benefit.",
        "please contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Fraud Hotline at 1-800-447-8477."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "doe_wap",
      "program": "Weatherization Assistance Program",
      "agency": "U.S. Department of Energy",
      "area": "US",
      "helps_with": ["drafty", "bills"],
      "what": "A local crew makes the home use less energy (an energy audit first, then work such as insulation and sealing air leaks), with attention to health and safety.",
      "who_it_is_for": "Households at or below 200% of the poverty guidelines, or that get Supplemental Security Income (SSI). A state may use 60% of state median income instead. Older people, people with a disability, and families with children come first. Owners and renters can both apply; a renter needs the landlord's permission.",
      "amount": "",
      "how_to_ask": "Find your state's weatherization agency on the Department of Energy map, then contact your local weatherization provider. Bring proof of income for the year before, such as pay stubs or Social Security payments. If you qualify, your name goes on a wait list.",
      "phone": "",
      "links": [{ "label": "Find your state's weatherization agency", "url": "https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/how-apply-weatherization-assistance" }],
      "match": { "need": ["drafty", "bills"], "state": "not CO", "home": ["own", "rent"] },
      "source": "https://www.energy.gov/scep/wap/how-apply-weatherization-assistance",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "Households at or below 200% of the poverty income guidelines or that receive Supplemental Security Income are considered under DOE guidelines as eligible for weatherization services.",
        "each state or territory may elect to use the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ (HHS) Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) eligibility criteria of 60% of state-median income.",
        "Priority is given to the elderly, families with one or more members with a disability, families with children, high-energy users, or households with a high energy burden. Both homeowners and renters are eligible to apply.",
        "Your local provider will require your proof of income for the prior year, such as pay stubs or social security payments.",
        "If you’re income eligible, then your name will be placed on a waitlist."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "usda_504",
      "program": "Section 504 Home Repair loans and grants",
      "agency": "U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development",
      "area": "US",
      "helps_with": ["repair"],
      "what": "Loans to repair, improve or modernize a home, and grants to remove health and safety hazards, for homeowners in eligible rural areas.",
      "who_it_is_for": "You own the house and live in it, cannot get affordable credit elsewhere, and your household income is not over the low or very-low limit for your county. For a grant, you must be 62 or older and under the very-low limit. The home must be in an eligible rural area (USDA has an address lookup).",
      "amount": "Loan up to $40,000. Grant up to $10,000 (a lifetime limit). Loan and grant together up to $50,000. Loans are for 20 years at a fixed 1% interest rate. A grant must be paid back if the home is sold in less than 3 years.",
      "how_to_ask": "Contact your local USDA Rural Development office. Applications are taken year round. Before applying you can ask the office for an informal prequalification with Form RD 3550-35 (the intake form) and Form RD 3550-1.",
      "phone": "",
      "links": [
        { "label": "Find your local Rural Development office", "url": "https://www.rd.usda.gov/browse-state" },
        { "label": "Check whether an address is in an eligible area", "url": "https://eligibility.sc.egov.usda.gov/eligibility/welcomeAction.do?pageAction=sfpd" }
      ],
      "match": { "need": ["repair"], "state": "any", "home": ["own"], "rural": true },
      "source": "https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-programs/single-family-housing-repair-loans-grants",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "this provides loans to low and very-low-income homeowners to repair, improve or modernize their homes or grants to elderly very-low income homeowners to remove health and safety hazards.",
        "Be the homeowner and occupy the house",
        "Be unable to obtain affordable credit elsewhere",
        "For grants, be age 62 or older and have a household income that does not exceed the very low limit by county",
        "Maximum loan is $40,000",
        "Maximum grant is $10,000",
        "Loans and grants can be combined for up to $50,000 in assistance",
        "Loans are termed for 20 years",
        "Loan interest rate is fixed at 1%",
        "Grants have a lifetime limit of $10,000",
        "Grants must be repaid if the property is sold in less than 3 years",
        "Applications for this program are accepted through your local RD office year round",
        "Form RD 3550-35, Section 504 Home Repair Loan and Grant Program Intake Form & Form RD 3550-1, Authorization to Release Information"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "co_leap",
      "program": "Colorado Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP)",
      "agency": "Colorado Department of Human Services",
      "area": "CO",
      "helps_with": ["bills", "repair"],
      "what": "Pays part of your winter heating bill, usually straight to the utility. If you are approved, you may also get help to repair or replace your heating system.",
      "who_it_is_for": "You pay for heat to the utility or as part of your rent, and your household is under the income limit for the season (the agency's income table lists it by household size). Household members born outside the country need proof of lawful presence. Getting other help such as Medicare, SSI or food assistance does not stop you from applying.",
      "amount": "Usually between $200 and $1,000. It is not the same for everyone: it depends on your heating costs, household income, LEAP funding and the number of applications. Once each season.",
      "how_to_ask": "Apply from November 1 through April 30 (applications open Nov. 1, 2026). Apply online through Colorado PEAK, call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435), or use a paper application from your county human services office. No interview is needed. If your heat may be shut off or you are out of propane, call right away: an emergency application can take about 10 days.",
      "phone": "1-866-432-8435",
      "links": [{ "label": "Apply through Colorado PEAK", "url": "https://peak.my.site.com/peak/s/peak-landing-page?language=en_US" }],
      "match": { "need": ["bills", "repair"], "state": "CO", "home": ["own", "rent"] },
      "source": "https://cdhs.colorado.gov/leap",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "LEAP usually pays between $200 to $1,000. LEAP does not pay the same amount to everyone. The amount depends on your heating costs, household income, available LEAP funding and the number of applications received.",
        "You can get LEAP heating assistance once each season. The LEAP season runs Nov. 1 to April 30 of each year.",
        "LEAP will start taking applications Nov. 1 , 2026, when the season begins.",
        "You can apply for LEAP at any time between Nov. 1 through April 30.",
        "Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866-432-8435) to apply by phone.",
        "You do not need an interview to apply for LEAP.",
        "LEAP might be able to process an emergency application in about 10 days if you qualify.",
        "Pay home heating costs directly to the utility company or as part of your rent to a landlord.",
        "If you are already approved for LEAP, you may also qualify for help repairing or replacing your main heating system."
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "co_wap",
      "program": "Colorado Weatherization Assistance Program",
      "agency": "Colorado Energy Office",
      "area": "CO",
      "helps_with": ["drafty", "bills", "repair"],
      "what": "An energy audit of your home, then work it shows you need, such as sealing air leaks, insulation, or furnace repair or replacement. You may not get every service.",
      "who_it_is_for": "Income limits are set by county and household size (the agency's chart lists them). If you already get Aid to the Needy Disabled, TANF, SSI, SNAP or LEAP, you may qualify automatically. Owners and renters can apply; a renter needs the owner's permission. Manufactured and mobile homes are served. A home weatherized in the last 15 years cannot be done again.",
      "amount": "",
      "how_to_ask": "Apply online, or contact your county's local weatherization provider (the agency page lists them by county) to ask for a paper application. Meeting the income limit does not promise service: there may be a wait list. If you are turned down, you can appeal to the local provider within 30 days, then to the Colorado Energy Office.",
      "phone": "",
      "links": [{ "label": "Apply online", "url": "https://socgov02.my.site.com/ceoweatherization/s/" }],
      "match": { "need": ["drafty", "bills", "repair"], "state": "CO", "home": ["own", "rent"] },
      "source": "https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/weatherization-assistance-program",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "Income eligibility is determined by county, household size, and household income or through current enrollment in any of the assistance programs listed below.",
        "Meeting income requirements alone does not guarantee services will be provided.",
        "Qualified renters may receive WAP services with the property owner's permission.",
        "WAP serves manufactured and mobile homes. RVs are not eligible.",
        "Homes that have been weatherized within the previous 15 years are not eligible for re-weatherization.",
        "You must appeal to your local weatherization service provider within 30 days after your application was denied.",
        "Furnace repair or replacement"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "co_ptc",
      "program": "Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat (PTC) Rebate",
      "agency": "Colorado Department of Revenue",
      "area": "CO",
      "helps_with": ["bills"],
      "what": "A yearly rebate to help older Coloradans with low income pay property tax, rent or heat.",
      "who_it_is_for": "You lived in Colorado all of 2025, are 65 or older (or a surviving spouse 58 or older), paid property tax, rent or heating bills, were not claimed as a dependent, and your total 2025 income was under $19,094 (single) or $25,788 (married filing jointly). A person with a disability under 65 now uses a different program, the Disability Assistance Credit.",
      "amount": "Up to $1,178 a year, based on your income and expenses.",
      "how_to_ask": "Fill in Form DR 0104PTC. Mail it to Colorado Department of Revenue, Denver, CO 80261-0005, or bring it to a Taxpayer Service Center, where staff can help you fill it in. The 2025 rebate can be claimed until December 31, 2027.",
      "phone": "",
      "links": [{ "label": "The PTC application form", "url": "https://tax.colorado.gov/DR0104PTC" }],
      "match": { "need": ["bills", "drafty", "repair"], "state": "CO", "home": ["own", "rent"], "age": "65" },
      "source": "https://tax.colorado.gov/PTC-rebate",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "The rebate amount can be up to $1,178 a year",
        "You lived in Colorado from January 1 - December 31, 2025.",
        "Your total income from all sources was less than $19,094 for single filers and $25,788 for married filing jointly.",
        "Age 65 or older",
        "Or a surviving spouse, age 58 or older.",
        "The rebate amount is based on the applicant's income and expenses.",
        "Colorado Department of Revenue Denver, CO 80261-0005",
        "2025: Applications for the Colorado PTC rebate for 2025 are due by December 31, 2027.",
        "individuals with disabilities under 65 years old or a surviving spouse under 58 years old will need to follow a new process",
        "submit the rebate application DR 0104PTC"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "hud_home_improvements",
      "program": "HUD home improvement pointers",
      "agency": "U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development",
      "area": "US",
      "helps_with": ["repair"],
      "what": "HUD's list of federal home repair loans and the community programs your city or county runs with federal money (the HOME program and Community Development Block Grants).",
      "who_it_is_for": "This page does not say who qualifies. Each program and lender sets its own rules: ask the local program.",
      "amount": "",
      "how_to_ask": "Use the page to contact a HOME representative in your community. If you borrow for repairs through a HUD program, work only with a HUD-approved Title 1 or 203(k) lender. To report fraud in those programs, call (800) 225-5342.",
      "phone": "(800) 225-5342",
      "links": [],
      "match": { "need": ["repair"], "state": "any", "home": ["own"] },
      "source": "https://www.hud.gov/helping-americans/home-improvements",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "Contact a HOME representative in your community",
        "Community Development Block Grant Program",
        "To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, work only with a HUD-approved Title 1 or 203(k) lender.",
        "To report any fraud or abuse in the Title 1 or 203(k) Program, call",
        "(800) CALL-FHA or (800) 225-5342"
      ]
    },
    {
      "id": "eldercare_locator",
      "program": "Eldercare Locator (finds your local Area Agency on Aging)",
      "agency": "U.S. Administration for Community Living",
      "area": "US",
      "helps_with": ["any"],
      "what": "A public service that connects older adults and their families to local services, such as your Area Agency on Aging, which often knows the local home repair and safety programs.",
      "who_it_is_for": "Older adults and their families.",
      "amount": "",
      "how_to_ask": "Call or text 1-800-677-1116 to reach trained staff, chat online, or search by your location.",
      "phone": "1-800-677-1116",
      "links": [],
      "match": { "need": ["bills", "drafty", "repair", "unsure"], "state": "any", "home": ["own", "rent"] },
      "source": "https://eldercare.acl.gov/",
      "read": "2026-10-22",
      "quotes": [
        "Welcome to the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration for Community Living connecting you to services for older adults and their families.",
        "You can also reach us at 1-800-677-1116.",
        "Call or send a text message to trained staff."
      ]
    }
  ],
  "hand_off": {
    "name": "Keep your Medicaid",
    "what": "On Medicaid and facing the work rule: the checker and the state's own rules, on the device.",
    "url": "https://www.medfrail.com/keep"
  }
}