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.
Agency | Counties Served | Phone Number |
Audubon Area Community Services | Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, McLean, Ohio, Union, and Webster Counties | 270-686-1600 |
Bell-Whitley Community Action Agency | Bell and Whitley Counties | 606-337-3044 |
Big Sandy Area Community Action Program | Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike Counties | 606-789-3641 |
Blue Grass Community Action Partnership | Anderson, Boyle, Franklin, Garrard, Jessamine, Lincoln, Mercer, Scott and Woodford Counties | 502-695-4290 |
Central Kentucky Community Action Council | Breckinridge, Grayson, Hardin, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, and Washington Counties | 270-692-2136 |
Community Action Council | Bourbon, Fayette, Harrison, and Nicholas Counties | 859-233-4600 |
Community Action of Southern Kentucky | Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren Counties | 270-782-3162 |
Daniel Boone Community Action Agency | Clay, Jackson, Laurel and Rockcastle Counties | 606-598-5127 |
Gateway Community Action Agency | Bath, Menifee, Montgomery, Morgan and Rowan Counties | 606-743-3133 |
Harlan County Community Action Agency | Harlan County | 606-573-5335 |
KCEOC Community Action Partnership | Knox County | 606-546-3152 |
Kentucky River Foothills Development Council | Clark, Estill, Madison and Powell Counties | 859-624-2046 |
Lake Cumberland Community Action Agency | Adair, Casey, Clinton, Cumberland, Green, McCreary, Pulaski, Russell, Taylor and Wayne Counties | 270-343-4600 |
Licking Valley Community Action Program | Bracken, Fleming, Lewis, Mason and Robertson Counties | 606-845-0081 |
LKLP Community Action Council | Knott, Leslie, Letcher and Perry Counties | 606-436-8853 |
Louisville Metro Office of Resilience & Community Services | Jefferson County | 502-574-5050 |
Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership | Breathitt, Lee, Owsley and Wolfe Counties | 606-666-2452 |
Multi-Purpose Community Action Agency | Bullitt, Shelby and Spencer Counties | 502-633-7162 |
Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency | Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Greenup and Lawrence Counties | 606-286-4443 |
Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission | Boone, Campbell, Carroll, Gallatin, Grant, Kenton, Owen and Pendleton Counties | 859-581-6607 |
Pennyrile Allied Community Services | Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Lyon, Livingston, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg Counties | 270-886-6341 |
Tri-County Community Action Agency | Henry, Oldham and Trimble Counties | 502-222-1349 |
West Kentucky Allied Services | Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall and McCracken Counties | 270-247-4046 |
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, clothing, 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.
Drema Simpson
Sunday 18th of February 2024
Hi Nicole, I just wanted stop in and say a big thank you,hugs,& bless you for all you do for us all.Your heart is so big & beautiful.
Jeff Perkins
Friday 3rd of March 2023
I didn't see Electric Plant Board in Glasgow, KY on your list of electric service providers. I'm going to call and see if they have any programs.
Gina Lucas
Thursday 29th of September 2022
Mine is Meade co recc in breckenridge co ky any information on them I have ask many times for assistance community action is he response an go to see them an they say no funds on an on no help electric to high I own my home so I have had no luck with much of anything any help would be wonderful! Thank you
Catherine Marucci
Thursday 29th of September 2022
We'll add it to our list!