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


Article By:  Ellen Leake, CSBG-LIHEAP Director/Operations Officer

Newsletter   |   Oct 16, 2024

CSBG/LIHEAP September 2024

Our program continues its work from being an immediate emergency assistance provider to becoming a program that really helps the families of low-income change their lives. Although we continue to provide emergency assistance, we also assist with budgeting, developing family goal plans and strategies to avoid future emergencies. As we work with families to develop strategies to prevent future emergencies, tips such as budget billing, paying your rent first, shopping at less expensive stores, and controlling impulsive spending are helpful and sometimes well received. Those not working are encouraged to find employment. Our employment and education programs can assist with small barriers to gaining full time employment or better employment. How do we help? It can be partial assistance with a CNA, CDL class, or proper clothing and shoes for a new job, gas for transportation to work for a week.

SUMMER COOLING   3,098 households have been assisted; total spent $554,757.00.

PREPARING FOR LIHEAP

Official Dates for Subsidy, November 5th   through December 20th.

We will be taking appointments this year.

The vendor information packets have been sent to over 100 vendors. Vendor advertisements have run in local papers throughout the 8-county region. The vendor agreements must be on file in the Central Office before vendors can participate in the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program. When these agreements are returned by mail, they will be reviewed, filed, and then the information updated in the computers in the county offices.

Pre-registration opportunities for the 2024-2025 Subsidy Heating Assistance Program will be offered during the appointment, October 21st – November 1st or those residents who are on a fixed income, and who are elderly (age 60 or over) or disabled receiving social security, SSI, pension, or Black Lung benefits. Pre-registration benefits will be posted in November.

Applicants must be within 150% of the federal poverty guidelines and willing to provide the documentation below:

  • Address Verification, metered utility bill, unopened legal piece of first-class mail confirming the name and address, etc.
  •  Proof of all household income for the preceding month (food stamp award letter, pay stubs, etc.).
  • Social Security card(s) or official documentation with social security numbers or Permanent Resident Card Numbers for everyone living in the household.
  • Most recent heating bill or verification from landlord that heating expenses are included in the rent (i.e. lease agreements).

Income-eligible residents who do not meet the requirements for pre-registration (who are not elderly or disabled) may still apply for Subsidy LIHEAP benefits starting November 5 – December 20, 2024, by appointment. Walk-ins will be offered an appointment or wait for an opening.

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT for 2024-2025 is underway. The results help determine the CSBG program budget for the upcoming year. We need a broad range of community members to complete the survey, so feel free to share. Your help is greatly appreciated. If you are a CKCAC Board member completing the survey, please choose board member.

Could you please go online and complete this survey for Central Kentucky Community Action? This survey is for our Community Needs Assessment for year 2025-2026.

The survey allows us to continue to have programs in our county. You can do this by clicking on the link below or scanning the QR code.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/32QCM9X-2024-2025CNA