Big Sandy Area Community Action Program: Assistance for Eastern Kentucky Families
Big Sandy Area Community Action Program (BSACAP) is one of the most important safety net organizations serving Eastern Kentucky. If you live in Johnson, Floyd, Magoffin, Martin, or Pike County and are struggling with energy bills, housing costs, food access, or employment, this page is designed to help you understand what BSACAP offers, which programs might apply to your situation, and how to get started.
BSACAP is a private, nonprofit community action agency funded through a mix of federal and state grants. This is not a single-service organization — it runs more than a dozen active programs spanning emergency assistance, energy help, workforce training, housing, early childhood education, and more. The section below walks through each area in plain terms so you can find what you actually need without having to piece it together yourself.
A note before you begin: most BSACAP programs serve residents of all five counties in its service area, but some programs have specific county coverage. Contact the office in your county first to confirm what's available and what documentation you'll need to bring. The main office is at 230 Court Street, Paintsville, KY 41240, reachable at 1-888-658-3641 or [email protected]. Full county office locations are at https://bsacap.org/coverage-map/.
Energy Assistance — LIHEAP
Heating and cooling costs are a persistent crisis in this region, and LIHEAP — the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program — is one of BSACAP's most utilized programs. It's worth understanding how it works because it has multiple enrollment windows throughout the year, and missing the right window can mean waiting months.
The Fall Subsidy component is generally available in November and December and helps offset heating costs across fuel types including electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, and fuel oil. A one-time benefit is paid directly to the energy vendor on the household's behalf. Applications are first-come, first-served and close when funds are depleted — so applying early in the enrollment window matters. There is also a Spring Subsidy cooling component, generally available in spring months, that helps offset summer electric costs.
The Winter Crisis component runs separately, typically from early January through mid-March, and is designed for households already experiencing a heating emergency. To qualify for Crisis, you generally need to either be within a few days of running out of bulk fuel such as propane or coal, have received a past-due or disconnect notice from a natural gas or electric provider, or be facing eviction specifically because heating costs are included in rent you can no longer cover. Crisis funds are also first-come, first-served and close when depleted or at the end of the enrollment period.
To apply for any LIHEAP component, contact the BSACAP service office in your county. General documentation typically includes proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, a metered utility bill for residency verification, and proof of all household income.
WinterCare Energy Fund
The WinterCare Energy Fund serves as a supplement to LIHEAP — a last-resort option for households that have exhausted regular LIHEAP benefits and still cannot cover heating costs. Funded by contributions from utility companies as well as private donors and businesses, WinterCare payments are disbursed directly to fuel and utility vendors, not to applicants. The program is intentionally tied to LIHEAP, meaning the two must work in coordination, and WinterCare funds are only available after LIHEAP funds have been used. Contact your local BSACAP office during the heating season to ask about current WinterCare availability.
Emergency Food and Shelter
Through the FEMA-funded Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP), BSACAP can provide limited emergency assistance for households facing immediate crisis. This can include help with one month of rent or mortgage, utility bills, and access to food assistance. EFSP is not a renewable or ongoing benefit — it is specifically designed to help stabilize a household in acute need. Eligibility and available funding vary; contact BSACAP directly for current availability.
Housing — Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
For residents who are homeless or have special housing needs and cannot afford stable housing on their own, the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program (TBRA) provides meaningful ongoing support. TBRA funds can be used for monthly rent payments to reduce housing costs, utility cost assistance, and security deposit assistance when paired with rental assistance. Households that qualify can receive assistance for up to 24 months, subject to continued eligibility and available funding. There are other programs in the area that may help pay rent - see the NHPB Kentucky rent assistance program guide.
To be eligible, the head of household must be at least 18 years old, and household income must fall below a threshold tied to the Area Median Income for the county and family size. Applicants must be homeless or have special housing needs as defined by the program. Income is verified at the start and reviewed annually, and participants are encouraged to work toward employment, education, or training during the assistance period. TBRA is funded through the Kentucky Housing Corporation and HUD.
Weatherization
BSACAP's Weatherization Assistance Program makes free energy-efficiency improvements to the homes of qualifying low-income residents. The goal is straightforward: lower the cost of heating and cooling over the long term by improving insulation, sealing air leaks, and making the home safer and more energy-efficient. In a region where many households rely on older housing stock and propane or coal heat, the practical savings from weatherization can be significant year over year. Contact your county office to ask about current weatherization availability and waitlists.
Employment and Training
The Adult and Dislocated Worker Services program is open to adults age 18 and older regardless of current income or employment status, with special services available to workers who have been laid off. Career Advisors work one-on-one with clients to develop a plan toward employment goals. Services include job search and placement, resume preparation, on-the-job training, a Job Club, skills assessments, information on in-demand jobs, student financial aid assistance, and connections to vocational rehabilitation, GED programs, and certificate or degree programs. To reach the employment team directly, email [email protected] or call (606) 789-2857. Appointments can also be booked online through the BSACAP website.
The Youth Program (WIOA) provides employment and education-related services for eligible young people. Contact BSACAP for current enrollment details and age requirements.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) places low-income adults age 55 and older into part-time, paid work experience positions at community organizations and government agencies. The program provides both income and the chance to build skills and a work record, and for many participants it serves as a bridge to unsubsidized employment in the local economy. Contact your county office to ask about current SCSEP openings.
Head Start
BSACAP operates Head Start across all five counties — Pike, Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, and Martin — through partnerships with local school boards, as well as directly operating Model City Head Start classrooms in Pikeville. With 63 center-based classrooms in the region, this is one of the largest programs BSACAP runs and one that has served the Big Sandy area for over four decades.
Head Start is available to children who are at least three years old by Kentucky's August 1st eligibility date. Children from families receiving K-TAP or SSI, children in foster care, and homeless children are all eligible regardless of household income. Ten percent of enrollments are reserved for children with disabilities, and some slots may be available for families with moderately higher incomes when space permits. The program provides education and school readiness, meals, vision and hearing screenings, and dental and medical support. Parents also benefit through support services, parenting classes, job training, nutrition education, and connections to community resources and GED programs. More information on Head Start enrollment is at https://headstart.bsacap.org/
Garden Seed Program
One of the more locally distinctive programs BSACAP offers is the Garden Seed Program — a reflection of how the rural character of Eastern Kentucky shapes what community action actually looks like here. Eligible households receive vouchers to purchase seeds, fertilizer, and plants from local vendors, allowing them to grow their own produce for eating and canning through the growing season. This is a practical supplement to food budgets in counties where grocery options can be limited and home gardening is a longstanding way of life. Vouchers are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, and households must provide proof of Social Security numbers, a utility bill for residency, and income documentation to apply.
Goodwill Voucher Program
BSACAP distributes Goodwill Industries of Kentucky vouchers to qualifying residents who need clothing or household goods. For households meeting income guidelines, an initial voucher is available to use at participating Goodwill stores, with a second smaller voucher possible after 30 days if an additional need arises. Residents experiencing a documented disaster situation — such as a house fire or natural disaster — are eligible for a larger voucher amount with no income requirement, provided they can supply documentation from a fire department, Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, shelter, or law enforcement. Contact your local office for current voucher availability.
Scholarships
Through its CSBG funding, BSACAP offers a competitively awarded scholarship program for eligible individuals. Contact the main office at 1-888-658-3641 for current scholarship details, deadlines, and application requirements. Or for other options, see the college scholarships and grants page.
SS/SSI Representative Payee
For residents who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income but have been determined by the Social Security Administration to need assistance managing those benefits, BSACAP serves as an authorized Representative Payee. This means BSACAP receives and manages the monthly payments on behalf of the beneficiary, ensuring funds are used for basic needs like housing, food, and utilities. This service covers children, adults with court-determined legal incompetence, and individuals SSA has determined cannot manage their own funds. Contact BSACAP directly if you or someone you know may need this service.
How to Reach BSACAP
The main office is at 230 Court Street, Paintsville, KY 41240. Toll-free: 1-888-658-3641.The website is https://bsacap.org/. Email: [email protected]. General office hours are typically Monday through Friday — call ahead to confirm. Note that the Magoffin County Service Office has moved to 870 Parkway Drive, Salyersville, KY 41465 (same phone: 1-606-349-2217).
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