The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides benefits that are in high demand this year. Officials said the program aims to keep Kentucky households at a safe temperature through the winter months.
Applications for subsidy heating bill assistance, which is available to families based on household income and energy fuel type, close on December 15. Crisis assistance applications, intended for households facing imminent heating loss or eviction during the winter months, will open January 9, 2024, and remain open until the end of March.
Bralyn Kielman is the Fleming County Coordinator for the Licking Valley Community Action Council, which also serves Bracken, Robertson, Lewis, and Mason counties. She said she has seen the impact LIHEAP has made for families firsthand.
“Oh, it’s very important. I’ve actually had a few people hug me this time after I tell them,” said Kielman. “Some people, it’s not a whole lot, you know, the amount that it goes toward their bill, but to them, it’s still better than nothing, so they appreciate that kind of stuff.”
Kielman said this year has hit people across Kentucky especially hard, and LIHEAP benefits are in higher demand than ever, but there is still funding available for those who apply by the deadline.
“COVID was kind of hectic because, you know, a lot of people [were] without a job, and then it slowed down a little bit once we didn’t have to quarantine and everything was opening back up. But this year, we’ve been pretty busy with more people coming in,” said Kielman.
Officials said in Rowan, Bath, Morgan, Montgomery and Menifee counties, Gateway Community Action provides LIHEAP funding, as well as weatherization and clothing vouchers for low-income Kentuckians. More information on LIHEAP benefits and program eligibility in Rowan and surrounding counties can be found at gatewaycaa.org.