LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Community Action Agencies across Kentucky are accepting applications for the new Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Summer Cooling Program.


What You Need To Know


  • Assistance applications being accepted now

  • LIHEAP helps famiiles pay high cooling bills

  • Offices available statewide

  • Applications accepted until October or until funds are depleted

The program helps offset the cost of high electric bills because of rising temperatures, the program is the newest resource to help families struggling during the pandemic.

Applications are being accepted through October 31, 2020, or until the funds run out.

The LIHEAP Summer Cooling Program is broken down into two components, Subsidy and Crisis, to help with the cost of electricity. 

The Subsidy component provides households a one-time benefit ranging from $50 to $200 depending on income level and housing category. The Crisis component is available to households who show a home energy crisis situation. Crisis benefits cover the minimum needed to alleviate the crisis but will not exceed $600. Households can reapply each time they experience a crisis situation until they reach their maximum benefit. 

Households can apply for one or both of the components and participation in previous LIHEAP programs has no impact on eligibility. To qualify, a household income must be at or below 60 percent of the Kentucky median income. 

“Louisville Metro Office of Resilience and Community Services (RCS) is proud to serve as part of the Community Action Kentucky network, and we’re so grateful this assistance is available to help our residents, said Tameka Laird, director of Louisville Metro RCS. “We want Louisvillians and all of our state’s residents to remain healthy, especially when dangerously high temperatures can make homes unsafe.”

“Kentuckians are already under financial pressure from the effects of COVID-19. Now as summer temperatures rise their increasing cooling bills will add to that burden,” said Roger McCann, executive director of Community Action Kentucky. “I'm thankful that through our partnership with the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, we were able to offer this summer cooling program to provide relief at this crucial time.”

Because of COVID-19, the six Louisville LIHEAP offices are closed for walk-in clients. But Louisville residents can still apply for LIHEAP by using secure drop boxes located in front of the offices. Jefferson County residents wishing to apply for LIHEAP must make an appointment using an automated appointment system. You can schedule your appointment by calling 502-991-8391 or doing it online. 

For more descriptions about the dropbox locations, income eligibility, and other instructions, call the automated LIHEAP information line at 991-8391 or visit www.louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

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. More information about LIHEAP and a listing of LIHEAP outreach offices can be found at the Community Action Kentucky website.