Apart from a system of heating allowance available to the less well off, the regions offer help and advice (which may include financial assistance) and in Midi Quercy there is a scheme called OPAH - (operation programme d'amelioration de habitat). It was covered some year ago in Taglines when based at Caylus and has been granted funds for 3 more years.
This link is to an article on the subject http://www.midi-quercy.fr/spip.php?article2441
If you click the "en savoir plus" link you can get an English version.
