ASHLAND, Ky., November 17, 2022 – Kentucky Power-funded home energy assistance programs provide financial aid to families in need of help with wintertime electric bills. Applications for HEART, Home Energy Assistance in Reduced Temperatures (HEART), are now being accepted by Community Action groups, which administer these programs through their regional agencies. Applications for THAW, Temporary Heating Assistance in Winter, will be accepted starting January 9.
The HEART program is available from January through April for income-qualified customers to provide assistance during wintertime months when customers use more electricity because of cold weather. THAW grants extra assistance to those customers facing a hardship, like recent unemployment or sole-parent responsibilities.
“We have all been experiencing a rise in costs for everything from groceries to gasoline,” explained Kentucky Power customer services supervisor, Stevi Cobern. “Because the fuel used to create electricity is no exception to price increases, we are hoping customers will take advantage of the programs offered to help with wintertime electricity bills.”
To participate in the programs, customers must apply through their local community action agency. Approved HEART participants with electric heat receive $115 each of the four designated months. Customers with non-electric heat qualify for $58 a month for four months. THAW, participants can receive up to $175. Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, or until designated funds are depleted.
Both HEART and THAW are funded with customer and company contributions. Residential customers pay 30 cents a month into the program. Kentucky Power matches those funds dollar for dollar with shareholder money. Together, the contributions generate about $1 million in assistance.
Kentucky Power also offers a voluntary assistance fund. Under the donation HEART program, customers can elect to make a special contribution on their bill that would also assist neighbors in need. Kentucky Power will match customer contributions up to $20,000 a year.
Customers seeking heating assistance should contact their local community action agency. Community Action of Kentucky agencies are:
- Big Sandy Area Community Action Program. Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Magoffin, Martin and Pike. 606-789-3641. http://bsacap.org.
- Gateway Community Action Agency. Counties: Morgan and Rowan. 1-800-927-3133 or 606-743-3133. http://gatewaycaa.org.
- LKLP Community Action Council. Counties: Knott 606-785-3322, Leslie 606-672-2155, Letcher 606-633-4458 and Perry 606-436-3161. http://www.lklp.org.
- Middle Kentucky Community Action Partnership. Counties: Breathitt 606-666-5902 and Owsley 606-593-5103. http://www.mkcap.org.
- Northeast Kentucky Community Action Agency. Counties: Boyd, Carter, Elliott, Lawrence and Greenup. 1-800-817-4443 or 606-286-4443. http://nkcaa.net.