Community Services Block Grant (CSBG)-Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Article By:  Ellen Leake, CSBG-LIHEAP Director/Operations Officer
Newsletter   |   Jul 18, 2024

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Subsidy

Purpose:

To assist low-income households with home energy cost through:
1. Subsidy – provides assistance to all eligible households.

Operation:

Community Action Kentucky contracts with twenty-three community action agencies to operate both components in all 120 counties. Applications for both components will be taken at local community action agency offices or designated sites in each county.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer  Subsidy Cooling enrollment will begin on July 16 and run through September 13, 2024 or until funds are expended.

Designated Representative: Applicants who are unable to apply for themselves must contact the local community action to make other arrangements. If the designated representative is not the head of household or spouse, the representative must have a signed statement giving authorization to apply for the household. Individuals without a designated representative should contact the local community action agency which may be able to assist them in finding one. Only one person from each household should apply.

  • Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
  • Proof of income from the preceding month for all members of the household.
  • Most current electric bill, statement from your landlord if electric is included in your rent, statement from utility company if you participate in a Pre-Pay Electric Program.
  • The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

Subsidy Benefits Provided: The benefit amount that a household receives will be determined by the household’s housing category and
income level. All eligible households will receive a benefit. Benefits are paid directly to the household’s primary electric vendor.

Client Referral: Clients requesting additional information regarding this LIHEAP component should be referred to their local community
action agency or Community Action Kentucky (CAK), toll-free number 1-800-456-3452 (TTY available for the hearing impaired).

Applicant Rights: Each applicant will be informed of their rights should they be denied assistance. Any applicant who wishes to appeal the
case should be informed by local community action agency staff of the procedures for filing a complaint. Should the applicant not be satisfied
with the local decision, they may further appeal to the Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

Rules: Do NOT give false information or hide information to receive LIHEAP benefits. Use LIHEAP benefits only for your household. If you
BREAK these rules, you may be stopped from receiving LIHEAP benefits and you may be prosecuted for fraud. Report any information
about fraud or misuse of LIHEAP benefits by calling the Fraud Hotline at 1-800-372-2970.

Community Action Kentucky administers LIHEAP in partnership with the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services who receive the funding as a pass-through block grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.