LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville residents in danger of being evicted or having their utilities shut off who made appointments last week are being considered for heating assistance on a first come, first served basis.
The city's Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) -- operated by the Louisville Metro Community Action Program (CAP) -- entered its crisis phase today. The program will continue through March 31 -- or until available funds are expended.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must be Jefferson County residents with a household income at or below 130% of the federal poverty guidelines (e.g. for a household of four, the gross monthly income cannot exceed $2,422).
For the crisis phase, applicants must have received a brown (disconnection) notice from their utility service provider, or an eviction notice if their utilities are included in the rent.
Those wishing to apply must bring a picture ID, their most recent LG&E bill (must be a brown bill), or an eviction notice if utilities are included in the rent
Starting Jan. 4, appointments will be issued at all three CAP offices listed below on weekdays 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. based on funding and appointment availability. Upon registering for an appointment, residents will receive an appointment slip verifying the appointment date, time and location.
The following documents must be presented at the time of the LIHEAP appointment:
- Picture ID for head of household.
- Proof of all household income (all members) for the preceding month (food stamp award letter, Social Security award letter, pay stubs, etc.). All individuals 18 or over in the household with no income – and who do not receive food stamps -- must have a Proof of No Income form completed prior to applying for benefits (forms are available at the CAP office at 810 Barret or at www.louisvilleky.gov/cap).
- Social Security card(s) or official documentation with social security numbers or Permanent Resident Card Numbers for everyone living in the household.
- Most recent heating bill or verification from landlord that heating expenses are included in the rent (i.e. lease agreements).
Benefits provided by this program are paid directly to the applicant's heating vendor.
Individuals who are unable to apply for this program in person may send a representative on their behalf with a note including the applicant's signature and phone number. Call MetroCall at 3-1-1 for more details on how this process works.
Residents who are homebound -- which means a medical professional can verify they are confined to the home -- and who are unable to send a representative, may call 574-1274.
LG&E reminds customers that it is their responsibility to make arrangements to ensure continued service. Please contact LG&E's customer service office at 589-1444 if you cannot make a payment in full and need to set up payment arrangements.
LIHEAP is funded by federal grants and is a pass through grant from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, which contracts with Community Action Agencies across the state. There is a reduction expected in this year's funding for the crisis program, and although the level of funding is still uncertain, the reduction does not look to be as drastic as earlier projected.
An official notice from Congress is expected on the amount of funding is expected in the near future.
CAP has also been working with area agencies, such as the Community Ministries, the Metropolitan Housing Coalition, Affordable Energy and Winterhelp to help spread the word to clients.
For more information about CAP, the LIHEAP program and for a list of other Community Resources that offer assistance during the winter months, visit our website at www.louisvilleky.gov/cap or call CAP at 502.574.1157 (TDD available at Metro Call – 574.5000; or the Kentucky Association for Community Action (KACA) at 1.800.456.3452.
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