Need help with your KY heating, energy bills? Don’t miss this assistance deadline
If you need help paying your heating bills in Kentucky, time is running out to apply for one form of assistance through Kentucky’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
Funded through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, LIHEAP helps low-income families keep their lights on or restore service with direct payments to utility companies.
Despite preventing more than 158,000 utility cut-offs in Kentucky last year, President Donald Trump’s administration has proposed zeroing out funding for the program entirely, and earlier this year, fired all LIHEAP program staff at HHS. What’s more, some Kentucky utility companies are planning to implement rate increases next year, and residents here generally have much fewer protections against service shutoffs during cold weather compared to neighboring states.
Here’s what you need to know as a key application deadline for LIHEAP support is Friday, Dec. 12.
What is LIHEAP? How does it help?
Kentucky’s LIHEAP program helps low-income households with home-heating costs in two main ways. It offers subsidies to help eligible households pay their monthly bills and crisis support that aids those experiencing a home-heating crisis.
If you live in a low-income household and need help keeping the lights on, but it hasn’t yet reached a crisis point, time is running out to apply for that first form of assistance.
Enrollment for LIHEAP’s fall subsidy benefit opened in early November and will close Friday, Dec. 12, 2025.
If you need assistance, contact your local Community Action office now to get your application started.
Crisis support assists households facing service disconnects or those on the verge of running out of fuel if they use wood, coal, propane, fuel oil or kerosene to heat their homes. Applications for LIHEAP crisis support open Monday, Jan. 5 and run through March 27, 2026.
What is the monthly income limit for LIHEAP in Kentucky?
The income eligibility requirement for the program is up to 150% of federal poverty guidelines.
According to a 2025 program factsheet, that equates to a gross monthly income of $1,957 for an individual and $4,019 for a family of four. Add $688 for each additional family member.
Applicants must also be responsible for their own home-heating costs.
For crisis support, applicants must be within four days of running out of fuel or have received a past-due or service disconnect notice.
How do I apply for energy bill assistance in Kentucky?
In Kentucky, Community Action offices handle the application process. Search for your local office by ZIP code through Community Action of Kentucky’s website.
Applicants will need to bring the following documents:
1. Proof of Social Security number or a permanent residence card (green card) for each member of the household.
2. Proof of income for every member of the household for the preceding month.
3. Your most recent heating bill or a statement from your landlord if heating expenses are included in your rent. If you participate in a pre-pay electric program, you’ll need a statement from your utility company.
4. The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bills.
For crisis support, applicants should bring a disconnect or past-due notice for electric or gas service.
If your rent includes heat, bring a copy of your lease and an eviction notice. Pre-pay electric customers will need a statement from their utility company showing they have 10 or less days of service.
Do you have a question about energy or public assistance in Kentucky for the Herald-Leader? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Know Your Kentucky form or email ask@herald-leader.com.