Resources

The COVID-19 crisis and resulting efforts to rebuild Kentucky’s economy are deeply personal for all those involved in delivering upon the community Action Promise. In partnership with our Community Action agency members, Community Action Kentucky is dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve greater economic stability and improved health outcomes. Our collective network, which includes outreach offices in every Kentucky county, uniquely positions us to maximize our response to COVID-19 throughout the state. Below is an overview of the many programs and services that are currently available. We also encourage you to reach out to your local agency to learn about any location-specific services that may be available.

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. Individuals should apply through their local Community Action Agency office.

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.

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LIHEAP Fact Sheet

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.

Interested households should contact their local Community Action Agency office to apply.

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.

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Fact Sheet

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEA)

The Home Energy Assistance Program is accepting applications. Through partnerships with participating utility providers, Community Action Agencies accept applications for slot-based programs.

Limited slots are available based on utility, household county, and benefit type. Approved applicants are placed on a waitlist and may be prioritized for a slot if one is available in their county, and they meet all eligibility requirements. Applicants are selected from the waitlist based on lowest income first. An approved application is not a guarantee of a benefit.

The benefit months and benefit amount awarded to enrolled households varies based on the participating Utility Provider.

Participating Utilities Fact Sheets:

Eligibility:

Household income must be at or below 200% Percentage of Poverty
Must be an active residential customer of a participating utility with service connected at the residence where benefits will be credited
Must use electricity or natural gas as the household’s primary heat source.
Must provide the utility with access for monthly meter readings
Does not reside in a multi-unit single metered building
See Fact Sheets for additional eligibility requirements specific to the Utility Provider(s).

Duke Energy and Kentucky Power HEA Crisis Programs begin taking applications in January. These programs are first come, first serve programs that assist households who are facing crisis situations.

CARES Act Program Funding

Thanks to additional funding made available through the national CARES Act relief package, Community Action Kentucky and its agency members are able to increase the number of people served through a variety programs and services. Enhanced service areas include food security, workforce development, transportation, home energy, early childhood education, senior support, emergency services, housing assistance, youth enrichment and more. Each agency’s programs and services are tailored to meet the individual needs of their communities. To learn what resources are available in your area, please contact your local Community Action Agency.

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Medicaid Enrollment

COVID-19 has caused many Kentuckians the loss of jobs and employer based Health Insurance. Community Action Kentucky’s local kynectors can help navigate you though the process of applying for Health Insurance. Our kynectors can assist you in the enrollment process for full Medicaid benefits or a special enrollment period for a Qualified Health Plan on the State Based marketplace. Contact your local Benefits Specialist for full details.

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Kentucky Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT)

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer (P-EBT) provides a card families can use to buy food to replace free school meals for students participating in virtual learning for five or more days. Enrollment is automatic for children eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals at schools participating in National School Lunch Program and for all students in Community Eligible Program schools.

Households already receiving SNAP benefits will be issued P-EBT benefits on the head-of-household’s existing EBT card for all eligible children. Students who do not receive SNAP benefits will receive P-EBT benefits on the previously issued card. If a student never has received P-EBT stimulus benefits, a new card will be mailed to the address on file with their school.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (Spanish)

DCBS COVID-19 Resources and Information

Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund

Team Kentucky’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund assist Kentuckians with rent and utility assistance, dating back to April 2020.

Governor Andy Beshear announced Thursday, February 11, that Kentucky recently received $297 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to help prevent evictions for renters impacted economically by COVID-19.

Funding from the U.S. Treasury was sent to three Kentucky jurisdictions – the state of Kentucky, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government, and Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government. All three programs will offer the same rent assistance to approved applicants – 100 percent of past-due rent, dating back to April 2020, and up to three months of future payments.

Apply in Lexington-Fayette County: covid19renterhelp.org
Apply in Louisville-Jefferson County: stopmyeviction.org
For all other counties: teamkyhherf.ky.gov

Those applying through the Team Kentucky and Fayette County portals can also apply for help with past-due and future utility bills. Jefferson County’s separate utility relief program is available via another link on its website.

The teamkyhherf.ky.gov application allows for third-party applicants. Friends, family members, landlords and others can help tenants complete an online application.

For program details or to apply

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