Western Kentucky regional assistance programs.
Find how to get financial assistance for bills or free items in the western Kentucky region. Housing programs (for rent, mortgage, security deposits) along with utility bill assistance (electric, heating, or water) can help low income families. There is also free food for people with no money left at the end of the month as well as dental or medical care.
Find charities, churches, and government agencies in Western Kentucky (including counties of Hickman, Ballard, McCracken and others) to call for financial help. Or get free school supplies for students, clothes or even Christmas or holiday help. Get case management, free debt or mortgage counseling, food from pantries, and even medical care in the region and several counties.
Financial assistance for bills from Community Action Programs
While resources in the western part of Kentucky are not very extensive, the local community action agency of West Kentucky Allied Services, Inc. may be able to refer low income residents to assistance or provide direct aid on their own. They administer numerous services, have information on government benefits, and can provide other support to the less fortunate. Programs are available in Ballard, Calloway, Carlisle, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Marshall, and McCracken County Kentucky.
What is available in each county and region will vary based on funding, government grants, and other factors. However some examples of what be offered by West Kentucky Allied Services, or really any community action agency, are below.
This will always be limited, and any type of emergency assistance is for those having difficulty or that unable to meet their basic needs and pay the bills. If you don‘t have enough food, heat, housing, or can’t get the medical care you need, then financial or emergency aid may be what can help. This is available in a combination of cash loans as well as grant programs.
The federally funded Emergency Food and Shelter Program (EFSP) has rental assistance, free groceries, emergency food, clothing and housing services.
Housing is available, including homeless and emergency shelters. Staff work with clients to help them obtain permanent housing in the region such as McCracken and Carlisle County Kentucky. These resources may be low income and include low cost or public housing units in all counties, including but not limited to Graves and Hickman. Specialists can also advise on eviction prevention, provide referrals to section 8, and explore emergency rental assistance programs. The community action agency works with other charities and non-profits to rehabilitate existing housing for low-income citizens and seniors in western Kentucky.
Energy and utility bill programs
Weatherization was created by the federal government to reduce the cost of heating homes through energy conservation and home improvements.
Applications can be submitted for Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The focus is on paying heating and gas bills during the winter. Thousands of families in western Kentucky benefit from this government program, and Allied Services can help families apply and answer questions. Learn about the Subsidy Phase and Crisis Phase, if needed.
If found qualified for LIHEAP and you are able to successful enroll, then vouchers or credits will be distributed directly to the utility company. The household will not receive any cash assistance themselves. Much of the focus is on the elderly and families with young children.
WinterCare is another utility program is Kentucky. It assists those in need with their paying their energy bill. All gas and power companies in the state participate in it.
Energy assistance is an option for qualified households to provide utility reconnects, prevent utility shutoffs, winterize homes, or enroll families into assistance programs or payment plans that were created by utility companies.
Food assistance programs
Food or groceries are used for meeting basic nutritional needs. The agencies provide a variety of emergency distributions, information on pantries, and other programs. Also, if eligible, outreach workers will also assist individuals in applying for food stamps or other government assistance.
The Allied Services Community Action provides meal preparation and nutrition services. They operate programs like summer feeding programs, snacks for children, Meals On Wheels and help supplement diets. They also provide assistance to our Senior Citizens to receive healthy food and balanced diets. Find more free food pantries in Kentucky.
Western Kentucky employment, education, and self-sufficiency
All of the education and employment services were created and can lead to self-sufficiency. For anyone in the state, they need to become self-sufficient and a way to do this is to get a decent paying job. Companies across Marshall and Calloway County may be able to help the unemployed or provide them with training and skills.
Case managers from Allied Services provide General Employment Services. This will assist individuals in obtaining jobs by preparing resumes, referring them to hiring companies, provide information on have WIA One-Stop Centers and other services.
Often those services are combined with other resources to assist clients with becoming self-sufficient. Adults with children may need someone to take care of them while working. So get help in applying for Child Care Assistance and Subsidies, Locating affordable day care providers in the region, including Ballard County, and learn about family and senior day care.
Family and Child services will help low income families or those in poverty become self-sufficient. Some components of these programs are noted below. Financial literacy, budgeting classes, asset building, and more is available from West Kentucky Allied Services in partnership with credit counselors.
Assistance is offered for children in Graves, Calloway, Marshall, and McCracken. The non-profit has information on and can help people apply for government programs such as Head Start and Early Head Start, School lunches, and other Nutrition Services. There are many other public assistance programs in Kentucky as well.
Head Start is Kentucky’s main child development program serving preschoolers from working poor and low-income families. Students and parents will get help in developing basic skills that they will need to succeed in school. Components of Head Start are disability services for individuals with special needs, Comprehensive health services, Nutritious meals, Social services, and West Kentucky Allied Services also requires Parental involvement.
West Kentucky Allied Services, Inc. offices are located below.
Ballard County, 1136 Barlow Road, Wickliffe, call 270-335-5201
Calloway County, 607 Poplar Street, Murray, call 270-753-0908
Bardwell County, 300 Front Street, dial 270-628-3941
Fulton County office is at 201 North Highland Drive, Fulton, KY. Call 270-472-0002
Graves County, 33 Construction Drive, Mayfield, Kentucky. Phone number is 270-247-4046
Hickman County, 111 Clay Street, Clinton, KY, 270-653-4494
Marshall County, 1107 Poplar Street, Benton, KY, phone 270-527-9766
McCracken County, 709 South 22nd Street, Paducah, KY, phone 270-444-7380
Help for seniors in western Kentucky
Seniors services include Home Care. The state provides in-home services to increase the independence of those who are home-bound or at high risk of nursing home placement. Another option is the Senior Community Services Employment Program and that provides participants 55+ years of age the opportunity to enter an on-the-job training experience. The State Health Insurance Program / SHIP has volunteers from western Kentucky that will assist participants with problems related to health care providers, enroll participants in Medicare Part D, and assist with government benefits counseling. Read Senior Health Insurance Program.
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