Help paying utility bills in Kentucky

How much notice a Kentucky utility must give

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) sets shutoff rules in 807 Kentucky Administrative Regulations 5:006. An electric or gas utility must give you 10 days of written notice before cutting service for nonpayment, and it cannot disconnect sooner than 27 days after it mailed the original unpaid bill. The notice must tell you about local, state and federal programs that help pay utility bills, with contact details for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. Water and sewer utilities have shorter timelines: five days of notice and at least 20 days after the bill was mailed. Utilities must also negotiate a reasonable partial payment plan if you ask after receiving a termination notice, unless you are behind on an earlier plan. Any plan longer than 30 days must be in writing or recorded.

Medical certificates buy 30 days

If a resident has a debilitating illness or infirmity that a shutoff would make worse, a physician, registered nurse or public health officer can certify that in writing. Kentucky utilities must then keep service on for 30 days beyond the termination date, and they cannot demand a new deposit for that period. A utility may refuse a second extension unless the certificate comes with an agreed partial payment plan, so line up a plan before the first 30 days run out. For gas and electric customers who present a medical certificate or a certificate of need, the plan must be based on ability to pay and bring the account current by the following October 15.

Certificates of need from November through March

Kentucky's winter protection centers on a certificate of need from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services or the agency it designates. It states that you are eligible for the state's energy assistance program or that household income is at or below 130 percent of the poverty level. If you received a termination notice between November 1 and March 31 and present the certificate within the initial 10 day notice period, a gas or electric utility must hold off for 30 days beyond the termination date. In return, you make a present payment you can afford and agree to a repayment plan that brings the account current by October 15. The utility cannot require a new deposit for that 30 day period, which keeps the upfront cost down.

Getting reconnected under Winter Hardship Reconnection

If your gas or electric service was already cut off for nonpayment, Kentucky's Winter Hardship Reconnection rule can bring it back between November 1 and March 31. The utility must reconnect you if you present a certificate of need that includes a referral for weatherization services, pay one third of the outstanding bill or $200, whichever is less, and agree to a schedule that makes the account current by October 15. If the balance is over $600, the utility must accept a plan that covers current charges and makes a good faith reduction in the arrears. You are exempt from reconnection charges and from a new deposit. You must also agree to accept weatherization help, such as weather stripping, insulation and caulking, when funds allow.

LIHEAP Subsidy, Crisis and summer cooling

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services contracts with community action agencies across Kentucky to take Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) applications. The Subsidy component runs in November and December for households at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level. Liquid resources are capped at $2,000, or $4,000 when a member has a catastrophic illness. The Crisis component runs from early January until the middle of March or until funds run out. To qualify you need a disconnect notice, four or fewer days of fuel oil, propane, kerosene, wood or coal, or an eviction notice where heat is part of the rent. Households at or above 75 percent of poverty pay a share of the crisis amount. When extra funds exist, a summer cooling component helps with electric bills.

Utility funds and the PSC inquiry form

Kentucky Utilities matches customer contributions to its WinterCare Energy Assistance Fund and forwards the full amount to the agencies that run it, which decide who qualifies. LG&E lists its Home Energy Assistance program, its WeCare program and referrals to Community Winterhelp for customers in the Louisville area, along with the Metropolitan Sewer District's Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program for sewer bills. Community Action Kentucky can point you to your local agency. If a regulated utility will not work with you, use the PSC's online Utility Inquiry Form. City-owned water and electric systems usually handle disputes locally, so start with the city utility office if it sends your bill.

How Settlemont can help in Kentucky

Settlemont fits after you have asked the utility for a partial payment plan and checked with your community action agency. It is bill payment technology from a for-profit company, and the bill owner is never charged a review, speed or boost fee. You enter six details on a private form: first name, email, state, bill category, amount and due date. Then a one-time access code lets you identify your utility privately, and staff verify the utility, you and the current balance. The approved page shows only your first name, Kentucky, Utility and the verified amount. A supporter chooses a bill and an amount, Settlemont confirms the balance and contacts them to complete it, and support is applied directly at the utility. Keep up with your repayment plan, because a posted bill may not be covered in time.

Sources

• Kentucky Administrative Regulations: 807 KAR 5:006, general rules
• Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services: LIHEAP
• Kentucky Public Service Commission: Utility inquiry form
• LG&E and KU: KU WinterCare
• LG&E and KU: LG&E heating and cooling assistance

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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