Thousands of Jefferson County residents in jeopardy of having their heat cut off during the winter months will soon be allowed to apply for the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program.
The federally funded annual "crisis phase" for LIHEAP begins Jan. 12 and appointments at the Urban Government Center on Barret Avenue can be made beginning Thursday.
Louisville expects to receive the same amount of money as last year, and serve around 12,000 low-income households, said Debbie Belt, who works in community outreach for the city department that administers the program.
“The program runs through March 31 or until funds are depleted. And it was around mid-March last year that our funds were depleted," she said.
To qualify for LIHEAP, residents must be at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line and have received their bill from LG&E or an eviction notice if heating fees are included in the rent.
Eligible applicants must be willing to provide the following documents:
- Picture ID for head of household (if available).
- Proof of all household income for the preceding month (food stamp award letter, pay stubs, etc.).
- All individuals 18 or over in the household with no income must have a Proof of No Income form completed prior to applying for benefits. Forms available at the CAP office, 810 Barret Ave. or here.
- Social Security card(s) or official documentation with social security number(s) or Permanent Resident Card Number(s) 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).
Locations of the offices are:
Central Office - Urban Government Center
810 Barret Avenue, Room 127, 40204
502-574-1157
East Office - Newburg Community Center
4810 Exeter Avenue, 40218
502-574-1270
South Office - Southwest Government Center
7219 Dixie Highway, 40258
502-574-1272
The city is also holding a Financial Fitness Resource Fair on Thursday and Friday to coincide with heavy traffic from LIHEAP applicants, said Belt.
The event will share materials for programs offered in the community, including one-on-one financial and legal counseling, workshops for "second-chance" bank accounts for those who wish to find their way back into the banking system, financial literacy workshops.