Ky.gov
Effective: 4/16/2025

C1.13 Community Action Agencies

Legal Authority

Introduction

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Community Action Kentucky (CAK) is a state-wide association that represents twenty-three (23) community action agencies (CAA) to provide direct services to Kentuckians who have low to moderate incomes in all one-hundred-twenty (120) counties. Services provided for individuals and families include:


  • Education; 
  • Housing; 
  • Food assistance; 
  • Home energy assistance; 
  • Child care early childhood education; 
  • Family preservation/reunification; and 
  • Many other needs. 
  • Workforce development;
  • Transportation;
  • Supports for seniors;
  • Supports for transition-age youth;
  • Family advocacy; and 
  • Concrete supports

Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) contracts with Community Action Kentucky (CAK) and the twenty-three (23) CAAs for the delivery of weatherization services. Weatherization services may include services to enable low-income families to decrease their utility bills.

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet/CHFS) partners with CAK and the twenty-three (23) CAAs to operate the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to assist families and individuals when a need for home energy assistance arises.

When a family needs energy assistance for heating, the SSW advises the family to contact their local CAA to inquire about their eligibility to receive LIHEAP services. The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) also has the ability to refer a family to LIHEAP if the family has an open case with the agency. It is important to note that, in accordance with 921 KAR 4:116, DCBS-referred families are only eligible to receive LIHEAP services if there are children involved and if the energy assistance will:
  • Prevent the removal of the child from the family; or 
  • Assist in reuniting a child with the family.

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Practice Guidance

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  • DCBS-referred LIHEAP funds are available for use on current and past-due heating bills or deposits on utilities used for heating purposes. 
  • Families may be eligible to receive a maximum benefit of three hundred dollars ($300) during each federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30). 
  • The funds are only available from November through March. 
  • Checks are made out and paid directly to vendors, never to an individual. 
  • Checks not cashed by the vendor within ninety-five (95) days will be voided and returned. 
  • If a family needs cooling or water assistance, they can apply for that through the local CAA office.

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Procedure

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Weatherization

  1. When an SSW considers removing an at-risk child due to the conditions of the dwelling, the SSW may make a referral to Kentucky’s Weatherization Assistance Program by: 
    1. Completing the DPP-1299 Referral for the Emergency Weatherization Program; 
    2. Forwarding the completed DPP-1299-Referral for Emergency Weatherization Program to the local community action agency providing weatherization services; and 
    3. Documenting on the assessment the weatherization need that resulted in the referral. 
  2. If the SSW does not receive a response from the local CAA providing weatherization services in a timely manner, the SSW may make a follow-up telephone call to the agency.
LIHEAP

The SSW:

  1. Explores all local resources for heating assistance, including checking the availability of LIHEAP funds through the CAA office, before referring the family for the service through DCBS; 
  2. Completes the Division of Protection and Permanency (DPP) LIHEAP Assistance Funds Eligibility Determination for P&P Clients form once it has been determined that there are no other services available for assistance; 
  3. Submits the form to the FSOS, who then forwards the information on to the service region administrator (SRA) or designee; 
  4. Uploads a copy of the request, if approved, in the electronic file. 
  5. The SRA or designee in each region is responsible for tracking LIHEAP approvals and denials using the Region Log for LIHEAP Energy Assistance Funds for P&P Clients form, and sending it to the statewide LIHEAP liaison with the Division of Administrative and Financial Management (DAFM) in central office, by the fifteenth (15th) day of each month, either via e-mail or the address below:​​
    1. ​CHFS-DAFM Director’s Office
      275 East Main Street, 3W-B
      Frankfort, KY 40621 ​

  6. The SRA or designee indicates on the Region Log for LIHEAP Energy Assistance Funds for P&P Clients: 
    1. ​​A specific purpose for the request; 
    2. Documents, in the "reason for Request/Comments" section,​ that the funds are being used to:​
      1. ​Prevent removal of a child; or 
      2. To assist in the reunification of a child with the family; and
    3. ​Submits documentation of each transaction, in the form of a receipt or bank statement, with the form.
​Water or wastewater assistance

​The SSW: 

  1. Makes a referral to the local CAA for water assistance if restoration of water or wastewater mitigates risk and prevents removal of a child due to the conditions of the dwelling;
  2. If the SSW does not receive a response from the local CAA providing weatherization services in a timely manner, the SSW may make a follow-up telephone call to the agency.



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Documents

Revisions