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Kentucky Assistance Programs — Financial Help, Food, Housing, and Utilities by County

Kentucky has a wide network of charities, community agencies, faith-based organizations, and government programs set up to help people who are short on money. The help ranges from emergency help for rent or utilities to food, child care, legal aid, and job training. Most of it is organized at the county or regional level, so where you live determines which offices handle your application. The county list at the bottom of this page links to local programs in your area.

Louisville and Lexington have more nonprofits and charity agencies than most areas of the state. Eastern Kentucky counties — including many in the Appalachian region — have some of the highest poverty rates in the country but fewer local organizations to go to. In those areas, churches and community action agencies are often the only local option for emergency help with rent, food, or utility bills. The sections below cover the main categories of assistance available across the state, with a county directory at the bottom.

Rental and Housing Assistance

Rent assistance is the most common need. Local nonprofits, community action agencies, and faith-based organizations may be able to help with back rent, security deposits, or moving costs depending on the county. What is available varies across the state. A county-by-county listing of programs is at Kentucky rental assistance programs.

Tenants facing imminent eviction may have additional options. State and federal funds may cover back rent, application fees, or a deposit on new housing when an eviction notice has been served. Transitional shelter is available in some larger counties. Programs that can help before a court date are listed at Kentucky eviction prevention.

HUD Housing Choice Voucher (often referred to as Section 8) cover a portion of rent in approved private housing for qualifying households. Waitlists in Louisville and Lexington tend to be longer than in smaller counties. More on vouchers and income-based housing is at Section 8 in Kentucky.

Utility and Electric Bill Help

LIHEAP helps with heating, year-round electric and cooling bills and is administered through community action agencies across all 120 counties. Kentucky also runs a Summer Crisis program — separate from the standard LIHEAP cooling benefit — that can provide money toward an air conditioner or electric bill for households with a documented medical need.

Individual utility companies in Kentucky also offer low-income rate programs and payment plans. LG&E customers in the Louisville area can also apply for Winterhelp, a utility-funded assistance program, and Kentucky Utilities customers elsewhere in the state have access to KU WinterCare — both run through local community action agencies. Details on all of these programs, including weatherization services, are at Kentucky energy and utility bill help. LIHEAP-specific information including how to apply is at Kentucky LIHEAP.

Food and Meals

Kentucky has food banks, pantries, and distribution sites throughout the state. Two of the major regional networks are God's Pantry Food Bank, which covers Central and Eastern Kentucky and works through partner pantries in dozens of counties, and Dare to Care Food Bank, which serves the Louisville area. Most local pantries do not require appointments. The Kentucky food pantries page lists locations by county. SNAP - the federal food benefit program - provides monthly grocery funds on an EBT card. Applications go through https://kynect.ky.gov or by calling 855-306-8959.

Emergency Help and Non-profit Programs

Churches and small, local nonprofits across Kentucky often move faster than government programs and ask fewer questions. Many run their own emergency funds for utility shutoffs, back rent, or food - and they differ from county to county. They tend to have very limited resources and capacity to help people, which is why the county list at the bottom of this page is the right place to start for truly local help.

Community action agencies cover all 120 Kentucky counties. They take LIHEAP heating and cooling applications, handle emergency rental assistance, run Head Start programs for young children, and provide weatherization services that reduce energy costs long-term. Other support may be provided as well. The Kentucky community action agencies directory page links to the office for your county.

The Salvation Army operates locations across the state, including in Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Paducah, Ashland, and other Kentucky cities. As resources allow they may offer emergency help with rent and utility bills along with food assistance or seasonal supplies such as school supplies or holiday items. Call ahead to confirm availability and what documentation to bring. See the Kentucky Salvation Army programs guide page for locations and services.

Cash Assistance and Related Government Benefits

Kentucky's cash assistance program for families with children is called KTAP - Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program. It provides temporary monthly payments and connects families to job training through the Kentucky Works Program. Apply in person at any Department for Community Based Services office, by phone at 855-306-8959, or at kynect.ky.gov. Kentucky public assistance on this site covers KTAP and related programs.

Child Care

Kentucky's Child Care Assistance Program, known as CCAP, helps low-income parents pay for licensed child care for children under 13. Parents who are working, enrolled in school or job training, or actively participating in KTAP's Kentucky Works activities can qualify. Teen parents in high school or pursuing a GED are also eligible. The Kentucky child care assistance page on this site has more detail.

Legal Aid

Kentucky has regional nonprofit legal aid organizations as well as localized volunteer, pro bono options. All four handle eviction defense, public benefits appeals, and family law. Also the statewide self-help site https://www.kyjustice.org/ has legal guides and a county resource map for anyone who wants to research their situation before calling. The Kentucky free legal aid page lists pro bono and legal aid organization services.

Seniors

Kentucky's Area Agencies on Aging (locator at https://www.chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dail/Pages/aaail.aspx) serve older residents through multiple regional offices, providing home-delivered meals, caregiver respite, transportation help, and case management. There are other non-profits and government organizations that focus on helping older adults. The Kentucky senior assistance page covers the regional offices as well as other benefits that may help seniors.

Disability Programs

Kentucky's disability programs include both federal benefits - SSDI, SSI, and Medicaid waiver services - and state-specific programs. Hart-Supported Living is available to Kentuckians of any age with a qualifying disability and provides flexible grants rather than a fixed service package, giving individuals control over how the funds are used. The Kentucky disability assistance programs page has the full list.

Phone and Internet

Lifeline program discounts are available on phone service for qualifying Kentucky households, including those on benefits such as KTAP. Several companies may also offer free phones in addition to ongoing discounts. The Kentucky Lifeline phone bill help guide and the related Kentucky free cell phone program page cover both options.

Job Training

Kentucky Career Centers across the state offer job search help, resume assistance, and access to training programs at no cost. There are locations across the state that cover all counties. The guide to Kentucky job training programs has locations and details.

Credit Counseling

Nonprofit credit counselors provide free or low-cost help with debt, budgeting, and housing counseling for low-income Kentuckians. There are NFCC approved agencies that also provide online and phone consultations to rural parts of the state. Kentucky free non-profit credit counseling covers organizations by region.

Real-Time Help — Kentucky 211

United Way of Kentucky operates the statewide 211 service, which connects callers to local programs for housing, food, utilities, health care, and more across all 120 counties. Call 211, or search the database directly at https://uwky.org/211. Specialists can find programs not listed on this page.

Forum - What Others in Kentucky Are Saying

People across Kentucky share their experiences with local assistance programs in our moderated Kentucky Assistance Program Discussion Forum. The forum is moderated and focused specifically on financial help - not general social media. You can read what others in your area have found, ask questions, and get replies from people who have gone through the same process.