Help paying your electric bill in Kentucky
Kentucky got $56.5 million in the HHS table, about $32 for each of its 1,791,991 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; public line 1-800-456-3452. Heating help reached 70,549 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Kentucky
- Kentucky LIHEAP public line1-800-456-3452
- State program sitechfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/pdb/Pages/liheap.aspx
- Kentucky Public Service Commission502-564-3940 · 800-772-4636 (links checked 2026-10-02)
How heavy is the energy bill in Kentucky?
10.2% of income in low-income households, 2.6% overall. Ranking, Kentucky prices.
| Group | Count | Kentucky detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 506,617 households | 10.2% of income; $1,718 a year on $16,924 | rank 12 of 51 |
| All households | 1,769,102 households | 2.6%; $2,066 on $78,504 | rank 23 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 294,236 households | 16.4% of 1,791,991 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 5 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 13.24 ¢/kWh | bill $150 a month at 1,132 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVWhere Kentucky's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Caldwell County 18.9% (1,699 households); Livingston County 15.5% (1,104 households); Pendleton County 15.2% (1,698 households); Carter County 14.8% (3,894 households).
- Most low-income households: Jefferson County 75,990 (9.2%); Fayette County 32,565 (7.9%); Warren County 14,465 (8.6%).
119 counties.
Kentucky in numbers
- Kentucky ranks 32nd of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($32), 5th on households below the poverty line (16.4%) and 12th on low-income energy burden (10.2%).
- Per household below the poverty line (294,236 of them) the FY26 funds come to $192, rank 36th of 51: 11% of a typical year's electricity ($1,798). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 121,263 households got help in FY2022 against 506,617 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 24% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $164, 9% of that year.
- Heating season: November 3 - December 12. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, winter crisis, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $25 (Tennessee) to $49 (West Virginia); low-income burden from 7.5% (Virginia) to 11.8% (West Virginia). Kentucky: $32 and 10.2%.
LIHEAP in Kentucky: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Kentucky | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $56,497,880 = $50,848,092 + $0 IIJA + $5,649,788 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% of poverty guideline (how limits work: see guide) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $15 minimum, $250 maximum Cooling: $41 minimum, $250 maximum Winter Crisis: $400 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 70,549 Cooling: 78,161 Winter Crisis: 70,597 Weatherization: 424 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: November 3 - December 12 Cooling April 14 - May 22 Crisis: January 6 - March 27 Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Kentucky?
Median household income in Kentucky is $62,417, 189% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Kentucky
Kentucky: cold weather by none listed; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Kentucky |
|---|---|
| Health or age needs | "Presentation of medical certificate to stop interruption of service." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites General Assembly Regulations; Customer Bill of Rights.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: 807 KAR 5:006, Sections 15 and 16. Kentucky electric utilities need a reasonable compliance effort and ten days' written notice (and 27 days after the original bill). A physician, nurse or health officer certificate adds 30 days. Between November 1 and March 31, customers certified by the Cabinet for energy assistance or at or below 130% of poverty get a 30-day extension and a winter hardship reconnection option. Quote: “at least ten (10) days written termination notice”. Source: text of the rule (Cornell LII).
| Point | Kentucky: 807 KAR 5:006, Sections 15 and 16 |
|---|---|
| Winter / cold | Winter provisions are November 1 to March 31: Section 15(3): electric or gas utility may not terminate for 30 days beyond the termination date if the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (or designee) certifies the customer eligible for energy assistance or at/below 130 percent of poverty; certificate must be presented during the initial 10-day notice period, the notice must have been issued Nov 1-Mar 31, customer must pay what they can and agree a repayment plan to be current by October 15. Section 16: winter hardship reconnection Nov 1-Mar 31 for a customer with a certificate of need: pays one-third of bill or $200, whichever less, and agrees to a repayment plan. |
| Heat | no hot-weather protection found in the text read |
| Who is protected | 15(2)(c): physician, registered nurse or public health officer certifies in writing termination would aggravate a debilitating illness: no termination for 30 days beyond the termination date; utility may refuse consecutive extensions unless accompanied by a partial payment plan; no new deposit needed. 15(2)(b): no termination while a partial payment plan is in effect and met. |
| Notice | 15(1)(f)1: at least ten days' written notice of intent to terminate (mail or otherwise delivered); service not terminated before 27 days after mailing of the original unpaid bill; residential notice must list assistance programs and Cabinet contact. No notice for dangerous conditions or theft. |
| Payment plan | 15(2)(b) partial payment plan under Section 14 bars termination while kept; 15(3)(c) and Section 16(1)(c) repayment plans current by October 15; Section 16(1)(c)1 over $600 balance plan accepted if current charges paid and good-faith reduction. |
| Who the rule covers | 807 KAR Chapter 5 rules for utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission; Section 15(1)(f) separates electric/gas from water/sewer/telephone. Co-ops/munis exclusion not stated in the text read. |
| Complaints | Section 15(1)(g): after theft termination the customer is told of the right to file a formal complaint with the commission; Public Service Commission phone not read. |
Section 14 (payment plans, notice contents) and utility tariffs were not read in detail; text date not shown.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
Utility and state bill programs in Kentucky
None listed for Kentucky in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Next to Kentucky
Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia. Most FY26 funds per household: West Virginia, $49. Kentucky: $32. All 51.
Kentucky on the map
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Kentucky
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Kentucky Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call 1-800-456-3452 or 211.
- Ask about none listed-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Kentucky Public Service Commission, 502-564-3940.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Kentucky?
Call 1-800-456-3452. Site: https://chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs/dfs/pdb/Pages/liheap.aspx
Can Kentucky utilities cut power in winter or summer?
none listed for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in Kentucky?
10.2% of income for low-income households, 2.6% for all; $1,718 a year for the first group.
How many Kentucky households got energy help?
121,263 in FY2022, 70,549 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $164.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Kentucky bill?
$192 per poor household, 11% of $1,798.
How much LIHEAP money does Kentucky get?
$56.5 million in FY2026, $32 per household, rank 32 of 51.
What income limit does Kentucky use for LIHEAP?
$40,980 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $62,417; FY2022 heating standard 157% for four.