Financial Aid

Kentucky provides financial aid programs for low-income households, the elderly, and those with disabilities. These programs help with housing costs, food security, and healthcare expenses. Other benefits include food assistance, child care and family support, and utility assistance, and much more.

Food Stamps (SNAP)

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), known as Food Assistance in Kentucky, serves as the first line of defense against poverty in Kentucky. The program helps low-income residents of Kentucky to meet their nutritional needs.

KCHIP

Kentucky Children's Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) is a federal and State initiative dedicated to providing free (low cost) health insurance to kids. This initiative is tailored to cater for children less than 19 years in families with incomes less than 200% of the federal poverty level and without health insurance. The State recognizes the importance of children having access to healthcare services and that is the major reason behind the initiative. The KCHIP program simply provides children with affordable and comprehensive health insurance.

KMP

The Kentucky Medicaid program is an initiative by the State of Kentucky intended to help provide medical assistance to families and individuals with low income levels. These families, through the Kentucky Medical Program, will be able to have general medical coverage.

The major groups of people this program targets is blind and disabled people, individuals older than 65, families with dependent children, pregnant women, among others. In order to qualify for this program, one must meet some basic eligibility requirements some of which include being a resident of the State of Kentucky, and been a citizen of the United States of America.

LIHEAP

The Kentucky Low Income Home Energy Program is a federally sponsored program that aims to provide financial assistance to help in paying for energy and heating costs to low-income households in the state. The benefits of this program includes a onetime deposit to the utility accounts of its members to assist in paying heating, electricity and other utility bills. This program has helped ensure that every Kentucky household has access to home heating especially in the cold winter months.

Medicaid

Medicaid in Kentucky is administered by the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS). The department is dedicated to providing the Kentuckians with the best and reasonable Medicaid services by modifying the Federal Medicaid program.

SSDI

Residents of Kentucky who meet strict eligibility requirements can access Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. These benefits support those who are unable to work because of a qualifying disability.

TEFAP

Kentucky’s TEFAP collaborates with a network of local organizations to distribute food, placing special emphasis on reaching remote and underserved areas to ensure equitable food access. Kentucky's TEFAP stands out for its commitment to reaching remote and underserved communities, ensuring that no one is left out in the distribution of food.

Transitional Assistance Program (TANF)

Aimed at supporting low-income families, this program in Kentucky offers financial aid coupled with services to help adults in the household find stable employment. It is designed to be a stepping stone towards self-reliance.

Unemployment

Kentucky Office of Employment and Training provides Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits to unemployed workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own or have experienced a reduction in working hours. This financial assistance is temporary in nature and ends when recipient finds work again. UI benefits start from the week you file a claim. There are no retroactive benefits i.e. you don't get benefits for the weeks you have not filed a claim even if you were eligible for benefits during such period. Therefore, it is advised that you file your claims as soon as you become eligible for UI benefits. This way you won't lose any benefit amount. In order to get UI benefits one needs to meet eligibility criteria. You will need to report your wages, provide information about your previous employment and reasons for separation from such employment before the amount of your benefits can be determined. The amount of benefits depends on wages that you have earned during the base period. Your eligibility will be determined once you file a claim and provide necessary information. You can file your claims online. It is an easy and convenient way to submit your claims. You can file a claim from any computer connected to the internet but you can only do it yourself. You will be liable for any information that you enter in the application form. You can learn more about filing a claim online below.

Veterans Disability

Kentucky offers Veterans Disability benefits to veterans who have suffered injuries or developed a medical condition related to active duty. Veterans can access a broad range of benefits in recognition of their service and sacrifice. Along with disability benefits, Kentucky veterans can take advantage of comprehensive healthcare services, VA home loans, Veterans Readiness and Employment, and much more.

WAP

The Kentucky Weatherization Assistance program (WAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income families Implement energy efficiency measures in their homes. By embracing energy efficiency this households are able to lower the proportion of their income spent on settling energy related bills. As such the Kentucky WAP helps to supplement other programs such as LIHEAP.

WIC

Kentucky WIC program ensures supply of nutritional food to the low income women, children, and infants living in Kentucky. Kentucky WIC also provides additional benefits and support for breastfeeding women.