Though winter storms are slowly brewing, it is never too early to prepare for the harsh conditions they bring. Benefits.gov wants to help you and your family stay ahead of the forecast and make informed decisions when dealing with the weather.
Tips When Preparing for Winter
To help you get started, here are some quick tips:
- Place rock salt or more environmentally safe products to melt ice on walkways.
- Place sand on driveway and walkways to improve traction.
- Make sure to have shovels and other snow removal equipment (Consider your health and safety before shoveling snow or operating snow removal equipment).
- Purchase adequate clothing and blankets to keep warm.
- Make a family communication plan - your family may not always be together when disaster strikes. With a plan you may communicate ways to stay in touch and get back together.
Check out Ready.gov for more helpful information on preparing your family and home for extreme cold and winter storms. Also be sure to check out the following benefit programs that could help you save during winter months.
Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons
You can also help to make your home as energy efficient as possible with the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons (WAP). WAP enables low-income families to reduce their energy bills by making their homes more energy efficient. Funds are used to improve the energy performance of dwellings families in need, using the most advanced technologies and testing procedures available in the housing industry resulting in lower energy bills in the future.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to help families pay for increasing energy and fuel costs. Each state offers their own version of LIHEAP, so you should find out whether you are eligible to receive LIHEAP benefits by contacting your state or tribal LIHEAP office. Information about how to contact each office can be obtained on the HHS website.
Need more resources?
Be sure to check out our article Winter is Unpredictable for information and tips to be prepared for winter storms and information on disaster assistance.
Stay warm this winter and find out if you might be eligible for these, or any of the more than 1,000 other benefits on our site, take the Benefit Finder questionnaire.
