Utilities

Needing assistance with those high heating costs during the winter months?  LIHEAP has two programs that may assist you.

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Crisis

An enrollment period for LIHEAP Crisis will begin January 10, 2022 through March 31, 2022, or until available funds have been expended. The purpose of the program is to assist households who are at risk of or currently experiencing a home heating crisis.

Benefits offered through the Crisis Component are limited to the amount necessary to relieve the crisis with the maximum amount not to exceed the Community Action Agency’s local cost for a deliverable supply of the household’s primary heating fuel or $600 for gas or electric.

Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period, or until designated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Benefits are paid directly to the fuel vendor.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at time of application:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.
• The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.
• Most current heating bill, statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent, or a statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
• Applicants requesting assistance for natural gas or electric must bring a disconnect/past due notice (example: arrearage payment plan, past due notice, termination notice, or final notice). If your rent includes heat you must bring a copy of your lease and eviction notice. Applicants who participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program must bring a statement from the utility company that shows they have 10 days or less of pre-paid electric service.

Low Income Home Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is designed to assist eligible Kentucky households with their water and wastewater costs. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s water service vendor. Applications will be accepted during the enrollment periods, or until designated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-serve basis.

LIHWAP Crisis enrollment will run through June 1, 2022. Crisis benefits are available to eligible households who are experiencing a water and/or wastewater crisis. Crisis benefits will cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis not to exceed $800. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis situation until maximum benefit is reached.

Households must provide at least one of the following: a disconnect/past due notice, disconnection notice, or an eviction notice for non-payment of rent (if water service cost are included as an undesignated portion of rent).

LIHWAP Subsidy enrollment begins January 10, 2022 and will run through June 1, 2022. Eligible households can apply for a one-time benefit to offset the cost of their household’s water or wastewater services.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at time of application:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.
• Most current water service bill (water and/or wastewater), including account number and name on account, statement from your landlord if water service expenses are included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Program.

 

An enrollment period for LIHEAP Summer Cooling Subsidy and Crisis will run from July 12 through October 31, 2021. The program is designed to help offset the cost of higher electric bills due to rising temperatures. Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period, or until designated funds are depleted on a first-come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. Benefits are paid directly to the electric vendor. Individuals should acquire and submit an application through their local Community Action Agency office.

The Subsidy component provides households one-time benefit ranging from $100 to $400 depending on income levels and housing category.

The Crisis component is available to eligible households who demonstrate a home energy crisis situation. Crisis benefits will cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis not to exceed $600. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis situation until maximum benefit is reached.

• Households must bring a disconnect/past due notice (example: arrearage payment plan, past due notice, termination notice, or final notice). If rent includes cooling, a copy of lease and eviction notice.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at the time of application:

• Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
• Proof of all household’s (all members) income from the preceding month.
• Most current electric bill, statement from your landlord if electric is included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
• The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

LIHEAP Summer Cooling & Subsidy Program Information