Kentucky Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that helps low-income households  with their home energy bills.  LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer. 

The Kentucky LIHEAP program offers help for:

• Utility bill payment
• Energy crisis
• Weatherization and energy-related home repairs.

The federal government gives funds for LIHEAP to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS).  CHFS contracts with Community Action Agencies across the state to take LIHEAP applications and issue LIHEAP payments.

In November and December, the LIHEAP subsidy component helps pay the costs of heating your home.  LIHEAP benefits are vouchers that are paid to the company that supplies your heat.

In January and until funds run out, the LIHEAP crisis component has benefits for households with a home heating crisis.  Benefits are limited to what is needed to take care of the crisis. Benefits may be things like:

• fuel deliveries,
• utility service reconnection,
• blankets or sleeping bags,
• loan of space heaters,
• emergency shelter 

The amount of the benefit is set by state regulations.

For the subsidy component, apply from November 3, 2025, through December 12, 2025.  

For the crisis component, apply from January 5, 2026, through March 27, 2026.

To apply for LIHEAP benefits, contact the Community Action Agency in the county where you live.   Find the local office in your county here.

For the subsidy component:

• Your household income must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level based on the size of the household.  This number changes every year.
• Your household must be responsible for heating costs.  This can be directly (like you get the bill) or as part of the rent.
• You must live in Kentucky.
• All members of the household must have Social Security numbers or permanent residence cards  (green cards). 

For the crisis component, 

• Your household income  must be at or below 150% of the federal poverty level based on the size of the household.  This number changes every year.  In some counties this can go up to 200% of the federal poverty level.  Check with your community action agency.
• Your household must be responsible for heating costs.  This can be directly (like you get the bill) or as part of the rent.
• You must live in Kentucky.
• All members of the household must have Social Security numbers or permanent residence cards  (green cards).
• You must be within 4 days of running out of fuel if your heat source:
• wood,
• coal,
• propane,
• fuel oil, or
• kerosene

OR if you got a disconnect/past due notice. This would be something like:

• a past due notice,
• a termination notice,
• a final notice, or
• the balance on a payment plan you set up to pay off past-due utility bills 

Crisis applicants who are in a Pre-Pay Electric Program must be within 10 days of running out of pre-paid electric services. 

If heating costs are part of the rent, you need an eviction notice and your lease, if you have one.

• Proof of Social Security number or permanent residence card (Green Card) for everyone in the household, and
• Proof of all household members’ work income for the month before, and
• Documents showing income from Social Security, Unemployment Insurance, pension funds, disability, etc., and
• Most current heating bill;  OR a statement from your landlord if heating is included in your rent; OR a statement from your utility company if you are in a Pre-Pay Electric Program, and
• The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

If you are applying for the crisis component, bring a disconnect/past due notice.  This would be something like:

• a past due notice,
• a termination notice,
• a final notice, or
• the balance on a payment plan you set up to pay off past-due utility bills 

If your rent includes heat, you must bring a copy of your lease and eviction notice. Applicants who are 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.

NOTE:  If you don’t get this information to the Community Action Agency within 5 days after you apply, your application can be denied.

For the subsidy component, you should get a decision from the Community Action agency   within 5 working days after they get all your information. 

For the crisis component, you should get a decision within 48 hours after they get all your information.  If it’s a life-threatening situation within 18 hours after they get all your information.

You have the right to appeal the denial.  When you apply, your rights and how to appeal a denial should be explained to you. 

If you get denied, they should give you a written notice explaining the denial.  If you don’t get a written notice, ask for one.  The first step is to ask the Community Action Agency to review the decision. If you are not satisfied with the review, you can ask for a hearing with the Cabinet for Families and Children.

To ask for a hearing, go your local office.  Take your denial notice with you.  You can find your local office here.

You must ask for the hearing within 30 days from the date on the denial notice.  You may want to contact your local legal aid office to help with the appeal.