FIND HELP
Lost a job? Need health insurance? Worried about keeping the lights on and putting food on the table? In uncertain times, Kentucky’s safety-net programs are here to help all of us through hard times.
Below is a list of public assistance programs that may be available to support you and your family. You should check to see what programs you may be eligible for now, even if you were denied in the past.
Health Insurance
Regular Medicaid
Coverage for low-income Kentuckians based on income and household size. Lasts up to 12 months with the option to recertify each year.
Temporary Medicaid
Coverage for any uninsured Kentuckian under the age of 65, regardless of income. Lasts up to 90 days, with the option of enrolling twice in one year.
More Info (Updated 0/00/000)
- Learn more about Medicaid eligibility here.
- For questions, call the KY Healthcare Customer Service Line: 1-855-459-6328.
- If you need extra help, contact an Application Assister.
- If you have trouble uploading documents to benefind, email them to returnproofverif@ky.gov (include full name & case number).
- To find a medical provider that accepts Temporary Medicaid, go to the Kentucky Medicaid Provider Directory or call 1-800-635-2570.
- During the public health emergency:
- Anyone enrolled in PE Medicaid with an end date of 6/30/20 was automatically extended for 90 days.
- NO disenrollment from regular Medicaid unless the you request to be disenrolled or move out-of-state.
- NO RFI letters (Requests For Information) are being mailed out.
- NO Prior authorizations for behavioral health and substance use disorder.
- More options for telehealth, 30-90 day prescriptions, and Rx delivery.
Food Assistance
SNAP (fooD stamps)
Help for low-income Kentuckians to buy food at participating stores.
Pandemic-EBT for Kids
Helps families provide school lunches at home for students eligible for free or reduced cost meals at school. Apply by August 31st.
Other Food Assistance Programs
WIC (Women, Infants, & Children): Contact your local health department
Senior Nutrition Programs: Contact Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living
Meals for Children: education.ky.gov or text FOOD to 877-877
Food Banks:feedingky.org/coronavirus/
More Info (Updated 0/00/0000)
- Learn more about eligibility here.
- Apply online at benefind.ky.gov or call the DCBS hotline at 1-855-306-8959.
- If you have trouble uploading documents to benefind, email them to returnproofverif@ky.gov (include full name & case number)
- If you have been denied SNAP due to a drug-related felony or being behind in child support, you should reapply.
- During the COVID-19 state of emergency:
- You do not need to report job search, work, or other participation requirements.
- Households will receive the maximum benefit through July 31st. The state will continue to request federal approval to provide the maximum benefit every month.
KTAP (cash assistance)
Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP) provides cash assistance to very low-income households with kids (up to 60 months). KTAP also helps families find jobs or get training that leads to a job.
More Info
- Learn more about eligibility here.
- Apply online at benefind.ky.gov or call the DCBS hotline at 1-855-306-8959.
- During the COVID-19 state of emergency, you do not need to report job search, work, or other participation requirements.
CCAP (child care)
The Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) helps low-income families pay for child care.
More Info
- Learn more about eligibility here.
- Apply online at benefind.ky.gov or call the DCBS hotline at 1-855-306-8959.
- During the COVID-19 state of emergency, you do not have to:
- Pay copays
- Meet daycare attendance requirements
- Report job search, work, or other participation requirements
LIHEAP (utility assistance)
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps low-income households with heating and/or cooling needs year round.
More Info
- Learn more about eligibility here.
- Apply at your local Community Action Agency or by calling 1-800-456-3452.
- Executive Order that extends the protections against disconnection for non-payment and assessment of late fees for all entities providing utility services including water, gas, electric and wastewater service. The temporary pause on disconnections will remain in place until further notice. However, these temporary measures do not mean customers are not obligated to pay their bills.
Housing
The Homeless & Housing Coalition of Kentucky helps Kentuckians connect with statewide and regional housing resources and know their rights, including programs to provide homeless assistance and rent assistance.
More Info
Rent Assistance
Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund
(all KY counties except Jefferson)
Legal Protections
KYRenterHelp.org (KEJC)
CDC Homerenter Declaration Form (KEJC)
MORATORIA NACIONAL SOBRE EL DESALOJO (NLIHC)
Centralized Legal Aid Hotline: 833-540-0342
Homeless Assistance
Lexington: 211 or contact your closest homeless shelter
Louisville: Call Bed One Stop at 502-637-2337Statewide (minus Louisville and Lexington): Coordinated Entry Contact List
Unemployment Insurance
Kentucky’s unemployment insurance (UI) is for people who lose their job through no fault of their own. State lawmakers have expanded UI to cover:
- People who have lost work or have had work hours reduced due to COVID-19.
- People who typically aren’t eligible, including self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers, and many childcare workers.
More Info
Kentucky’s unemployment insurance (UI) is for people who lose their job through no fault of their own. State lawmakers have expanded UI to cover:
- People who have lost work or have had work hours reduced due to COVID-19.
- People who typically aren’t eligible, including self-employed, independent contractors, freelance workers, substitute teachers, and many childcare workers.
Unemployment insurance typically provides between $39 and $552 per week. Under the federal CARES Act, benefits are extended from 26 to 39 weeks, with an additional $600/week in benefits for four months (through July 31st).
Online: https://kcc.ky.gov/
Call: 502-875-0442
In-person: Find in-person locations and schedule an appointment here. Be sure to bring two forms of ID with you.
Workers’ Rights
“Good Cause” for separation
- Under tradition UI, it’s only being laid off at “no fault” of your own & excluded some workers
- Special rules during pandemic allow for many COVID-19 reasons, particularly in qualifying for PUA:
- They have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or have symptoms of it and are seeking diagnosis;
- A member of their household has been diagnosed with COVID-19;
- They are providing care for someone diagnosed with COVID-19;
- They are providing care for a child or other household member who can’t attend school or work because it is closed due to COVID-19;
- They are quarantined or have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine;
- They were scheduled to start employment and do not have a job or cannot reach their place of employment as a result of a COVID-19 outbreak;
- They have become the breadwinner for a household because the head of household has died as a direct result of COVID-19;
- They had to quit their job as a direct result of COVID-19;
- Their place of employment is closed as a direct result of COVID-19; or
- They meet other criteria established by the Secretary of Labor.
“Suitable Work Offer”: If you are called back to work and meet one of these criteria, reach out to the Labor Cabinet and/or your local Legal Aid Office, you may still qualify for UI benefits.
Stimulus Payments
If you do not file taxes, you may still be eligible for the Economic Impact Payment through the CARES Act. Most adults are eligible for a one-time payment of $1,200. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment will be an additional $500.
More Info
Most adults will get a one-time payment of $1,200, although some will get less. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment will be an additional $500. Payments will be made automatically to eligible adults who have a tax return on file for 2018 or 2019. If you do not usually file a tax return, you can complete this form to claim your stimulus payment.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid programs provide free, civil legal services to people living in poverty, the disabled, senior citizens, and victims of domestic abuse and interpersonal violence. Legal Aid attorneys typically assist people with Medicare, Medicaid and other benefits issues – including SSI and food stamps. They also assist homeowners and renters in crisis.
More Info
Four legal aid programs:
- Kentucky Legal Aid: Western Kentucky (270-782-5740)
- Legal Aid Society: Louisville and surrounding counties (502-584-1254)
- Legal Aid of the Bluegrass: Central and Northern Kentucky (859-431-8200)
- AppalReD Legal Aid: Eastern and South Central Kentucky (866-277-5733)
Generally, call the legal aid program that covers the county where you live. Find what program covers your county here.
Hotlines
If you are well, but nervous and need information, call Kentucky’s official COVID-19 hotline at 1-800-722-5725.
Report businesses or groups that are putting people at risk by calling the Kentucky Labor Cabinet’s hotline at 1-833-597-2337.
Report price gouging by calling the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection hotline at 888-432-9257.