State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
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Utilities and phone
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in Kentucky
Kentucky's LIHEAP has two parts: a Subsidy payment toward heating bills in November and December, and Crisis help from early January to mid-March if you have a shut-off notice or are nearly out of fuel.
Local community action agencies take applications for the state, and older adults on a fixed income may be able to pre-register for heating help.
How to apply in Kentucky
- By phone
- 1-800-456-3452
- In person
- Apply at your local community action agency; the Cabinet contracts with these agencies to take applications. Call the state's toll-free LIHEAP line to find yours.
Who may qualify in Kentucky
| Income limit for the Subsidy (heating) part | At or below 130% of the federal poverty level. The state page gives no dollar amounts. |
|---|---|
| Savings limit | Generally no more than $2,000 in cash and other liquid resources, or $4,000 if someone in the home has a catastrophic illness and the money goes to medical and living costs |
| What to bring | Recent heating and electric bills with account numbers, proof of current income including Social Security or pensions, any final shut-off notice, proof of address and of everyone in the home, Social Security cards or numbers for everyone, and proof of citizenship or permanent residence |
Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1)
What you may get
| Subsidy (heating) payment (FY 2026 state plan; 2026–27 amounts not posted) | $15 to $250, with the most going to homes with the lowest income and highest energy costs Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2) |
|---|---|
| Crisis help | For homes about to lose heat (a disconnect notice is required), with four or fewer days of fuel left, or facing eviction for unpaid rent when heat is in the rent. Homes at or above 75% of the poverty level pay part of the cost. The FY 2026 plan's maximum was $400. Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1) |
| Summer cooling help | Only when extra federal or state money is available: a one-time payment to your electric company. Homes without an air conditioner may get one if someone is 65 or older, under 6, or has a health condition that needs cooling (with a doctor's statement). Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1) |
Dates, renewals and waiting lists
| Subsidy (heating) sign-up | November and December. The 2026 dates were not posted when we checked. Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1) |
|---|---|
| Crisis help | Early January to mid-March, or until the money runs out Source: Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1) |
| Early sign-up for older adults (FY 2026 state plan) | Adults 60 and older on a fixed income may pre-register for heating help Source: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2) |
How Kentucky is different
Where Kentucky's rules differ from the federal rules for LIHEAP heating and cooling help.
- Adults 60 and older on a fixed income may pre-register for heating help (FY 2026 plan)
- A $2,000 limit on cash and liquid savings ($4,000 with a catastrophic illness in the home)
- Summer cooling help can include an air conditioner for homes with someone 65 or older
Sources: LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2), Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1)
Good to know
- Community Action Kentucky lists every local agency on its Find My Office page (capky.org/network).
- In the 2025–26 season, Subsidy sign-up ran Nov. 3 to Dec. 12, 2025 and Crisis help ran Jan. 6 to March 27, 2026.
- To report fraud, call the Office of Inspector General at 1-800-372-2970.
Sources: Community Action Kentucky (source 3), LIHEAP Clearinghouse (source 2), Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (source 1)
Free help
Free help with this in Kentucky
Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL)
Your local Area Agency on Aging can help with meals, rides, help at home, caregiver support and applying for benefits.
More help in Kentucky
Help with heating and cooling bills in another state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
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- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
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- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
- Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- LIHEAP Clearinghouse, Kentucky LIHEAP Plan, FY 2026 (copy posted by the LIHEAP Clearinghouse) (official government site). Checked Oct 28, 2026.
- Community Action Kentucky, Find My Office. Checked Oct 28, 2026.
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