KRS 205.400: Energy Cost Assistance Program established -- Eligibility requirements --

Allocation of funds -- Payments.

(1) There is established within the Cabinet for Health and Family Services an Energy

Cost Assistance Program for making money payments to or on behalf of citizens of

the Commonwealth for the purpose of purchasing or supplementing the cost of

energy for household use.

(2) Citizens of the Commonwealth who incur expenses for providing energy by

purchase from suppliers, by their own labors, or through the payment of rent,

whether or not included in a charge for other goods and services, which includes the

cost of energy supplied to premises occupied as their principal residence, shall be

eligible to receive the benefit of the payments to themselves or to providers of

energy to such household if:

(a) The citizen is sixty-two (62) years of age or older and has or is a member of a

family having a gross income equal to or less than one hundred twenty -five

percent (125%) of the poverty level of income for an individual or family of

that size designated by the Community Services Administration of the United

States government; or

(b) The citizen is blind or permanently and totally disabled and receiving

supplemental security income benefits under the Social Sec urity Act or is

blind or permanently and totally disabled and is currently eligible for

Medicaid benefits under the Medical Assistance Program.

(3) The cabinet shall establish by regulation a schedule of payments and benefit levels

under this program to be based on income, resources, and family size. In no event

shall payments be made to or on behalf of any person or family whose gross income

from all sources exceeds one hundred twenty -five percent (125%) of the poverty

level of income as provided for such individuals or family by the Community

Services Administration of the United States government.

(4) Payments made under this section shall be for a period of four (4) months during

each twelve (12) month period for which funds are available. At its discret ion and

to insure the proper application of the funds appropriated for this purpose, the

cabinet may elect to make payments to vendors or suppliers or jointly to vendors

and eligible recipients.