Beshear Increases Heating Assistance Subsidy by 40 Percent

November 13, 2008

Money Will Help Kentucky Families

FRANKFORT, KY – November 13, 2008 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Steve Beshear today announced that Kentucky families who qualify will receive a 40 percent increase in their subsidy for bulk fuels to help pay heating and fuel costs this winter.

The increased subsidy is part of a significant funding hike this year – $75 million – for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The program helps qualified recipients with the purchase of home heating fuel or with ensuring that heating services to homes isn’t discontinued.

“LIHEAP is a wonderful program that provides a vital service for Kentucky families in need,” said Gov. Beshear. “With the news that we’ll be receiving more funding than we had initially anticipated, even more Kentuckians will benefit, meaning more Kentuckians will stay warm this winter.”

Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) disburses funds to Community Action Kentucky, which in turn processes applications from families requesting assistance and contracts with vendors for delivery of fuel.

The increase in federal funding will enable Kentucky to increase the benefit level for both the subsidy and crisis programs. During the subsidy program, which began Nov. 3 and will run through Dec. 12, eligible households will receive assistance in purchasing heating fuel.

The 40 percent increase in subsidy benefits will more closely approximate the cost of a deliverable load of bulk fuels.

“With winter on its way, making sure Kentuckians keep warm is vital,” Kentucky Congressman Ben Chandler said. “This Congress has made a special commitment to Low-Income Heating Assistance which I strongly supported. I am pleased Kentucky will benefit from this important program so our citizens can remain healthy this winter.”

The crisis component, available from Jan. 5 until March 31, 2009 or until funds are expended, provides eligible households assistance with remedying service discontinuation and/or a lack of fuel. The maximum crisis benefit allowance for electricity and natural gas will be increased from $250 to $400, which will bring that benefit level more in line with the benefit available for bulk fuel.

“Because of the increase in funding, more Kentucky families will be helped this winter,” said CHFS Secretary Janie Miller. “The increase in the level of benefits people can receive means that families will be better able to afford the rising cost of fuel for their homes.”

Also receiving an increase in federal funding is the Weatherization Program, which provides assistance for homes being made energy efficient resulting in long-term heating and energy efficiencies.

The LIHEAP and Weatherization programs are administered by Community Action Kentucky’s contracts with local Community Action Agencies. Individuals interested in applying for this assistance should contact their local Community Action Agency.

For more information, visit www.kaca.org or call 1-800-456-3452 to find a local Community Action Agency.