Energy Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income consumers pay their energy bills.

The LIHEAP program assists income-eligible households with home heating costs through two different programs: Subsidy (typically in November and December) and Crisis (typically January through March). A third component to help with summer cooling costs is offered when funds are available.

Subsidy
The subsidy component operates in November and December to help residents at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level pay home heating costs for which they are responsible either by direct payment of as an undesignated portion of their rent. In addition to income guidelines, eligible applicants may not have liquid resources in excess of $2,000 except when a household member has a catastrophic illness, in which case applicants may have as much as $4,000 in liquid assets if those assets are used for medical and living expenses. Eligible applicants may receive a one-time subsidy benefit.

Crisis
The crisis component of LIHEAP operates from early January until the middle of March, or until all funds are expended. Clients must meet the criteria listed above and be in a crisis situation involving imminent loss of heating energy (applicants must provide a utility disconnect notice); have four or fewer days worth of fuel oil, propane, kerosene, wood or coal available; or, have received an eviction notice citing unpaid rent (applies to applicants whose heating costs are included as an undesignated portion of the rent. Households at or above 75% of poverty level must pay a portion or co-payment of the minimum amount necessary to alleviate the crisis.

Summer Cooling
The summer cooling program provides eligible households with a one-time payment to the household's cooling (electric) provider. Air conditioners may be provided for households where residents are at risk for health problems associated with excess heat. To be eligible for summer cooling a household must meet the eligibility requirements as described above. To be eligible for an air conditioner, the household must not have access to an air conditioner and meet one of these requirements: (1) have a member with a health condition or disability that requires cooling to prevent further deterioration as verified by a physician's statement; (2) have a member who is 65 years or older; or (3) have a member who is younger than 6.

How To Apply
To apply for assistance, participants must bring:
(1) their most recent heating bill or verification from their landlord that the heating expenses are included in their rent,
(2) a Social Security card or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household,
(3) a picture ID (driver’s license or state identification card), and
(4) proof of their household’s (all members) income for the preceding month.

Individuals who are unable to apply for themselves may send an authorized individual to apply for them. If this is the case you should contact KRFDC. Both homeowners and renters who are responsible for their heating bills and have a low or fixed income are eligible.

Qualifying participants will receive a one time energy assistance voucher. Energy services include electric, gas, kerosene, propane or wood. Eligible participants do not need to have an unpaid energy bill or be out of fuel to receive energy assistance in the subsidy portion of the program. The benefit amount that each household receives will be based on its level of poverty and the type of fuel used for heating. All eligible households will receive a benefit. Benefits will be made payable to the household’s primary or secondary heating fuel vendor.

Eligible participants can apply for LIHEAP at one of KRFDC's four Outreach Offices. Note: you must be a resident of Clark, Estill, Madison or Powell counties to receive help through KRFDC. Also, the availability of LIHEAP assistance is not guaranteed.

For more information contact:

LIHEAP is a statewide initiative sponsored by Community Action Kentucky in partnership with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and is directly funded by the U.S. Department for Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.