Help With Your Electric Bill in Kentucky: LIHEAP

Three separate windows, no single season-long window. Subsidy runs in November and December. Crisis runs from early January until mid-March or until funds run out. Summer Cooling only when extra federal or state funds exist. The state page gives months, not exact 2026-2027 dates. Last season Community Action Kentucky ran Crisis 6 Jan - 27 Mar 2026 (now past).

Dates move every year and most states stop taking applications when the money runs out, not on the closing date. Checked Sep 10, 2026 — confirm before you count on it.

The Crisis component, early January to mid-March. Qualifies if you have a utility disconnect notice, four or fewer days of fuel oil, propane, kerosene, wood or coal, or an eviction notice for unpaid rent when heat is included in rent. Apply at your Community Action Agency; public inquiry line 1-800-456-3452.

In person or by appointment at your local Community Action Agency, not at a DCBS office. Statewide referral line 1-800-456-3452 (Community Action Kentucky). State program page: https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/pdb/Pages/liheap.aspx

At or below 130% of the federal poverty level, and liquid resources of $2,000 or less ($4,000 if a household member has a catastrophic illness and the assets go to medical and living costs). Note: some Community Action fact sheets for 2025-2026 quote 150% FPL; the state page still says 130%.

Kentucky does not publish the benefit amounts on the page we read. It is paid to the utility, not to you, and depends on household size, income and fuel type.

Recent utility bills with account numbers, recent pay stub or proof of gross income, proof of Social Security/unemployment/pension/disability income, final termination notice if you have one, proof of address, proof of everyone in the household, Social Security numbers for all members, proof of citizenship or permanent residence.

No general winter moratorium. Kentucky PSC rule 807 KAR 5:006 gives two protections between November 1 and March 31: (1) a Certificate of Need from CHFS delays termination 30 days if you are LIHEAP-eligible or at or below 130% FPL and present it during the 10-day termination notice period, with a payment plan current by October 15; (2) Winter Hardship Reconnection restores disconnected gas or electric service if you present a certificate of need, pay one third of the bill or $200 (whichever is less) and accept a repayment plan. No new deposit may be required. PSC hotline 1-800-772-4636.

This comes from the Kentucky utility commission, not from the energy assistance programme — they are different offices and only one of them publishes it.

Kentucky splits the season: you cannot get Crisis help in October or November, and Subsidy closes at the end of December. A disconnect notice is required for Crisis. Fraud hotline 1-800-372-2970.

In most states the same office runs SNAP food benefits, and receiving one often makes the other automatic or faster. SNAP in Kentucky →