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


Article By:  Katrina Wilbanks, CSBG-LIHEAP Director

Newsletter   |   Oct 22, 2025

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer enrollment will begin on July 28 and run through September 12, 2025.

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.

PREPARING FOR LIHEAP

Official Dates for Fall Subsidy, November 3rd   through December 12th.

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.

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 may apply for the Fall Subsidy LIHEAP benefits starting November 3 – December 12, 2025, by appointment. Walk-ins will be offered an appointment or wait for an opening.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall enrollment will begin on November 3, 2025, and run through December 12, 2025.

Fall Subsidy Component is designed to help offset the cost of a household’s electric cost, providing eligible households with a one-time benefit depending on income levels and housing category.

Applications will be accepted during the enrollment period, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Income eligibility for the program is up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines. The benefits are paid directly to the household’s electric vendor.

Interested households should contact their local Community Action Agency office to apply.

All applicants will be required to supply the following documentation at the time of application:

  1. Proof of Social Security Number or Permanent Residence card (Green Card) for each member of the household.
  2. Proof of all household (all members) income from the preceding month.
  3. 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.
  4. The account number and name on the account for main heating fuel sources and electric bill.

 

Fall Subsidy DOES NOT require a disconnect notice, a past due bill, or eviction notice. The Subsidy benefit can be applied as a credit on your account. Assistance received during previous LIHEAP components does not affect household’s eligibility.

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.

COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT for 2025-2026 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 2026-2027.

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

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/B8VG7RH-2025-2026CNA