How to Save Money on Your Power Bill in Kentucky!

If you need assistance with your power bill in Kentucky, you’re in luck! We’ve found programs that can help you pay your past-due balances so that you can keep those utilities connected even if you’re in a financial hardship.

In this article, we’re going to discuss government programs as well as nonprofits that can help you pay your utility bills. We’ll also break down some additional assistance programs that are offered by the companies themselves!

Government Assistance Programs

There are many government programs that can assist you with your power bill in Kentucky! These state-specific programs are available in every county.

LIHEAP

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides assistance to low income households. This program can pay a portion of your heating and cooling costs so that you don’t owe as much for your power bill.

In order to be eligible for LIHEAP in Kentucky, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a resident of Kentucky.
• You must meet income guidelines for your household size.

If you participate in SNAP, SSI, or TANF, you may be considered automatically eligible for LIHEAP benefits.

The funds for this program are managed by the Kentucky Division of Family Support.

Weatherization Assistance Program

The Weatherization Assistance Program can help you reduce your future power bill in Kentucky by improving the energy-efficiency of your home. Among other things, this program can install insulation, seal cracks, repair ducts, and replace heating equipment.

The Kentucky Housing Corporation states that families often save $500 or more in their utility costs in the year after their Weatherization Assistance Program service.

In order to be eligible for Kentucky’s Weatherization Assistance Program, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be a Kentucky resident.
• You must NOT have received assistance through the weatherization program on or after September 30, 1994.
• You must meet income guidelines.

The Weatherization Assistance Program is managed by the Community Action Agencies of Kentucky. I’ve listed them below for your convenience.

Community Assistance Programs

There are many churches, charities and nonprofits throughout the state that can provide assistance with your power bill in Kentucky. These include both local and well-known organizations.

Salvation Army

Many Salvation Army chapters can provide assistance with utility bills if you are experiencing a financial hardship. The United Way has indicated that the Salvation Army in Glasgow and Hart County provide utility services.

Allen County Ministerial Association

The Allen County Ministerial Association may provide utility assistance once every six months for eligible residents. The funds are distributed on Tuesday afternoons at the Scottsville Baptist Church.

Allen County Family Resource Centers

Families who live in Allen County and have a child in public school may be able to get utility assistance through the school district.

Elementary school families are served at the Allen County Family Resource Center. Middle and high school students have to inquire at the Allen County Scottsville Youth Service Center.

Bridge Kentucky

Bridge Kentucky has an online form that must be used to request help with your power bill in Kentucky.

It is not clear who is eligible for this service, but it appears that the organization is dedicated to helping low income children. The organization is also based in the Glasgow area.

Boyd County CAReS

This organization can provide assistance with all or part of your power bill if you are at risk of having your utilities disconnected. You will need to bring your past-due utility bill, as well as your previous two billing statements.

You must be a resident of Boyd, Carter or Greenup County in order to receive assistance from this organization.

Churches United in Christ Help Ministry

In Bowling Green, the Churches United in Christ Help Ministry provides once-per-year utility assistance to those who have received a disconnect notice. This organization does not have a website.

Service is offered at the following Churches:

• Christ Episcopal Church at 1215 State St in Bowling Green
• The Presbyterian Church at 1003 State St in Bowling Green
• The First Christian Church at 1106 State St in Bowling Green
• State Street United Methodist Church at 1101 State St in Bowling Green

You will need to contact one of these churches for more information, appointments or application instructions.

Franklin-Simpson Good Samaritan

In addition to limited utility bill assistance, Franklin-Simpson Good Samaritan also provides a food pantry, personal hygiene items, basic household items, used medical equipment and even assistance with work uniforms!

Helping Hands of Greenup County

Helping Hands of Greenup County can provide up to $100 toward your utility bill. However, you must have a disconnection notice, and you must find other resources to find the rest of the bill. You can only receive help once every 12 months from this program.

This agency also assists with medications, clothing, school supplies, Christmas assistance, and more.

Logan County Good Samaritan

Logan County Good Samaritan is a Christian organization that provides assistance with utilities, food, housing, transportation or household necessities.

You will need to provide a disconnect notice to get help with your bill. You may be able to receive assistance with your utility deposits if you can show a receipt or lease with a new address.

Next Step

Next Step can provide financial assistance with your utility bills from Glasgow Water, Glasgow EPB, Farmers Rural Electric, Atmos Energy or Caveland Environmental. They may also be able to assist with rent in Barren County.

People Helping People

People Helping People can provide up to $50 toward your utility bill if you have a disconnect notice. You can only get help once every 12 months. You must be able to pay the remainder of the bill before they’ll pay their portion.

The money is raised through the organization’s bingo games.

Get Help from Your Provider

Fortunately, the provider can often provide help with your power bill as well. There are several unknown or little-advertised programs that power companies may offer that can help lower the cost of your power bill.

For example, most power companies offer a budget billing plan, which averages the annual cost of electricity in a home and bills the customer in 12 even installments. This can help low-income customers maintain a budget and avert payment problems, especially during the more expensive winter months.

See what your power company can do to help you by selecting your provider from the list below:

• Big Sandy Rural REC
• Clark Energy
• Duke Energy
• Frankfort Plant Board
• Franklin Plant Board
• Kentucky Power
• Kentucky Utilities
• Salt River Electric
• WRECC

Summary

Paying utility bills can be a challenge but there are several government programs and nonprofits that can help you pay your power bill in Kentucky. These include LIHEAP, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and emergency financial assistance from local churches and charities. By exploring these programs and resources, eligible households can find the assistance they need to stay current on their utility bills and avoid service disconnection.