LIHEAP is a federally funded program to help eligible low income households meet their home heating needs during the cold winter months. The LIHEAP program runs from November through March. LIHEAP can help you stay warm in the winter. By doing so, you can reduce the risk of health and safety problems (such as illness, fire, or eviction).
Office Locations
Please contact your local outreach office to schedule a time to help us better serve you and control the flow of applicants throughout the day.
Services Provided
The LIHEAP program or other emergency services may be able to offer you one or more of the following types of assistance.
• Bill payment assistance
• Energy crisis assistance
Qualifying Requirements
The LIHEAP program determines if your household's income qualifies for the program. The LIHEAP program may also require households to meet additional eligibility criteria to receive assistance.
For more information visit:
http://www.communityactionky.org/Agencies/GetAssistance/LIHEAPProgram/tabid/526/Default.aspx
http://chfs.ky.gov/dcbs/dfs/LIHEAP.htm
LIHEAP Fact Sheet (Dates for the Subsidy and the Crisis components.)
LIHEAP Crisis 2011
The crisis component of LIHEAP operates from early January until the middle of March, or until all funds are expended. Clients must meet the criteria listed above and be in a crisis situation involving imminent loss of heating energy (applicants must provide a utility disconnect notice); have four or fewer days worth of fuel oil, propane, kerosene, wood or coal available; or, have received an eviction notice citing unpaid rent (applies to applicants whose heating costs are included as an undesignated portion of the rent. Households at or above 75% of poverty level must pay a portion or co-payment of the minimum amount necessary to alleviate the crisis.
1.) Crisis provides benefits for applicants who qualify.
A. Gross income at or below 130% of poverty
B. Not have liquid resources in excess of $2,000 or $3,000 if at least one person in the household is 60 years old or disabled, ($4,000 if resources are being used for living expenses due to catastrophic illness).
C. The applicant household shall be responsible for paying the energy costs or it is an undesignated portion of the applicant’s rent. (All LIHEAP vendors must be approved before client benefits can be issued.)
2.) Benefits will be paid directly to the household’s electric/heating provider or landlord in approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the date of the approved application.
3.) Time standards:
A. The applicant has 5 working days from the date of application to provide required information and documentation to Gateway CAA or their application will be voided. All payment towards the approved benefits will arrive to the vendors approximately 4 to 6 weeks after an application has been approved.
A. * Recent copies of utility disconnect notices or statement from the utility company saying the household is schedule for discount on a certain date and how much will alleviate the crisis. If your heating source is not electric or natural gas, please contact your local outreach office for other required documentation.
B. * Proof of household’s income for the previous month.
a) Recent payroll stubs or other proof of current gross income for wages earned, unemployment, pensions, etc.
b) An award letter or statement from the Social Security Administrative Office showing gross income from Social Security &/or SSI benefits. CANNOT USE BANK STATEMENTS OR COPIES OF CHECKS to prove these types of benefits.
c)“Foodstamp” letters are only used to prove K-TAP, Kinship, or State Supplemental (benefit for caregivers) incomes.
C. * Proof of current address (e.g., metered utility bill in the name of an adult member of the household (electric, water, natural gas or propane); rent receipt with name of household member and 911 address listed -not a hand written statement from the landlord; lease or deed in the name of a household member, property tax bill in the name of a household member).
E. * Verification of Social Security numbers for all persons living in the household If you do not have your Social Security card please begin obtaining it in order to apply for services next year.
F. * Proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residence.
G. * Proof of Liquid Resources (bank statements)