LIHEAP

LIHEAP is a federally-funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating and/or cooling needs. The Kentucky LIHEAP helps approximately 150,000 families pay their heating bills each winter. The US Department for Health and Human Services allocates funding for Kentucky through the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which contracts with the Community Action Agencies across the state to receive LIHEAP applications and to provide benefits. The federal government began providing home energy assistance in 1974. The LIHEAP has two main components: Subsidy and crisis funding. A third component is added when the funds become available for summer cooling costs. The programs operates in November and December to help residents at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Applicants may receive a one-time subsidy benefit. Most subsidy residents are elderly and/ or disabled. From 90,000 to 110,000 households benefit from energy subsidy assistance. The crisis component operates from early January until the middle of March , or until all funds are expended. The clients must meet the criteria and be in a crisis situation involving the immediate loss of their heat. The summer cooling program gives the clients one-time assistance to household's electric provider. When you apply you need receipts or statements of previous electric bills, a recent payroll stub, documentation showing income, final utility termination notice, proof of your current address, need proof of the total members living in the household, social security cards, and proof of US residency. This is a program that needs to be taken seriously and not taken advantage of and they take the necessary steps to make sure that the right people receive the assistance.