Utilities & heating · KY
Kentucky winter shut-off protection and medical certification
What stops a disconnection in Kentucky, and how medical certification works.
Written and checked by Jason Burns, Editorial Steward · Checked August 26, 2026
What this program is, in plain English
Kentucky restricts when a utility can disconnect heat in cold weather, and Kentucky Public Service Commission sets those rules. Separately, and this matters all year, a doctor or nurse practitioner can certify that losing service would endanger someone in the home, which protects oxygen concentrators, CPAP machines, home dialysis, powered wheelchairs and refrigerated insulin. Be clear about what this does: it delays a shut-off and usually requires a payment plan. It does not cancel the debt. Call the utility first and ask for a shut-off hold, medical certification, a payment plan and budget billing, and their hardship fund, then apply for LIHEAP the same week.
Who qualifies
- You are 60 or older.
- Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
What to have ready
- Your account number and your most recent bill
- The shut-off notice, if one has arrived
- A letter or form from your doctor if anyone at home uses medical equipment or needs refrigerated medicine
- Proof of income if you are asking for a hardship rate or a payment plan
How to apply
This program is run by Kentucky Public Service Commission. Processing times vary by state.
Timing matters
We are not a government agency. These links go straight to the agency that runs the program. Applying is always free.
Every program on this site is free to apply for. Anyone who asks you to pay to apply, or to “unlock” a government benefit, is a scam — hang up and call Senior Medicare Patrol or 211.
Report something wrong on this page
Sources
- Program page — psc.ky.gov
- Kentucky Public Service Commission — psc.ky.gov
- Legal authority: State public utility commission rules. Federal law does not set shut-off dates; each state's commission does.
Checked August 26, 2026 by Jason Burns (Agency URL fetched and returned 200 during the state layer build.). Licensed under the Citation License 1.0.
Related programs
- LIHEAP Home Energy AssistanceHelps pay heating and cooling bills, and can stop a shut-off in an emergency.
- Lifeline Phone and Internet DiscountTakes at least $9.25 a month off a phone or internet bill, more on tribal lands.
- Arkansas LIHEAP: help paying the heating and cooling billHow Arkansas runs LIHEAP, who to call, and when applications open.
- South Carolina LIHEAP: help paying the heating and cooling billHow South Carolina runs LIHEAP, who to call, and when applications open.
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