Emergency Assistance for Seniors in Kentucky

Emergency Assistance, Resources, and Programs for Seniors in Kentucky

Last updated: August 2025

Quick help box

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Below are fast, trustworthy ways to get help now.

Need Who to contact How they help
Life‑threatening emergency 911 Police, fire, EMS.
Mental health or emotional crisis 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Free, 24/7 support by phone or chat. See the 988 Lifeline website: Get help now.
Find food, shelter, bill help Kentucky 211 Call 211 or visit Kentucky 211 to get connected to nearby services.
Apply for SNAP, Medicaid, LIHEAP kynect benefits (KY) Apply online at kynect benefits. For help by phone, call the DCBS Family Support Call Center: 855‑306‑8959 (see contact options at CHFS Family Support).
Suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation (not 911 emergencies) Kentucky Adult Protective Services (APS) Report safely to APS. Learn how to report at CHFS: Report abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Emergency housing and local shelters HUD Resource Locator Find shelters and subsidized housing near you: Search HUD resources.
Disaster help after floods, storms, etc. DisasterAssistance.gov Apply for FEMA and find local help: FEMA Disaster Assistance.

Tip: When you call 211, ask for a “warm transfer” to a local agency that can start your application over the phone.

What to do first in an emergency

  • If you are unsafe or without essential medicine, call 911.
  • If you need someone to talk to now, call 988.
  • If you are at risk of losing food, housing, or utilities:
    • Call 211 and ask for food pantries, emergency shelters, and utility‑bill help in your county.
    • Apply for urgent benefits on kynect benefits:
      • SNAP (food stamps) can be “expedited” in certain hardship cases. Start at kynect benefits or call 855‑306‑8959. See program details at CHFS SNAP.
      • Medicaid may help with urgent medical coverage and transportation. Learn more at CHFS Medicaid.
    • For heat, cooling, or utility shutoff notices, ask about LIHEAP Crisis assistance. See CHFS LIHEAP and your local Community Action agency at Community Action Kentucky – LIHEAP.

Reality check: Applications can feel confusing and times vary by county. If online forms are hard, call your Area Agency on Aging and Independent Living (AAAIL) for one‑on‑one help. Find your local AAAIL through the Kentucky Department for Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) at DAIL – Find services and local AAAILs.

Key programs at a glance

Use these tables to quickly see what each program does and how to apply.

Food and nutrition support

Program What it covers Who it serves How to apply
SNAP (Food Stamps) Monthly funds on an EBT card for groceries. Expedited SNAP may be available for severe hardship. Low‑income individuals and families. Apply at kynect benefits. Program info: CHFS SNAP.
Meals on Wheels / Home‑delivered meals Nutritious meals delivered to your home, plus safety checks. Homebound older adults, varies by county. Contact your local AAAIL via DAIL or search at Meals on Wheels – Find meals.
Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) Coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables from farmers’ markets. Eligible older adults; availability varies by county/season. Program overview: USDA SFMNP. Ask your AAAIL or county extension office.
Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) “Senior Commodities” monthly food packages. Income‑eligible adults 60+. State contacts: USDA CSFP contacts. Your AAAIL or local food bank can enroll you.

Notes: SNAP and CSFP have income rules that change yearly. Always check the latest details on the official program pages linked above.

Health coverage and Medicare savings

Program What it does Why it matters How to get help
Kentucky Medicaid Health coverage for eligible adults. May include long‑term care and home‑based services. Helps pay for doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and more. Apply at kynect benefits. Info: CHFS Medicaid.
Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) State help that pays some or all of your Medicare Part B premium and sometimes deductibles/coinsurance. Can save hundreds per year for people with limited income. Learn more at Medicare.gov – Get help with costs. Apply through kynect benefits.
Extra Help (Low‑Income Subsidy) Lowers prescription costs for people with Medicare Part D. Reduces monthly premiums and drug co‑pays. Apply at SSA Extra Help.
Kentucky SHIP (counseling) Free, unbiased Medicare counseling. Choose plans, avoid penalties, and appeal denials. Find help at SHIP national locator. Kentucky SHIP is run by DAIL: DAIL – SHIP.

Tip: Call SHIP during open enrollment or if your drug costs suddenly spike. They can review plan options with your exact medications.

Housing and utility assistance

Program What it covers How it helps Where to start
LIHEAP (Energy) Help with heating and cooling bills; Crisis benefit for shutoff notices or low fuel. Can prevent disconnection or help refill tanks. See CHFS LIHEAP and Community Action Kentucky – LIHEAP.
Weatherization Assistance Free home energy upgrades (insulation, air sealing, safety checks). Lowers bills and improves comfort/safety. Program info: Kentucky Housing Corporation – Weatherization.
Affordable rentals and vouchers Public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and subsidized apartments. Reduces rent burden for low‑income seniors. Search with HUD Resource Locator and visit Kentucky Housing Corporation.
Homestead Exemption (Property tax) Lowers property tax for homeowners 65+. Cuts your taxable home value. Learn and apply via local PVA office; details at KY Dept. of Revenue – Homestead Exemption.

Reality check: Waitlists for vouchers and subsidized housing can be long. Ask property managers about preferences for seniors or veterans, and apply to multiple lists.

Care at home and long‑term care

Program What it is Key services How to apply
Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver Medicaid 1915(c) waiver that provides in‑home supports instead of nursing facility care. Personal care, homemaking, respite, adult day health, and case management. Learn more at CHFS – 1915(c) Waivers. Apply through your AAAIL or DCBS.
Participant Directed Services (PDS) Lets eligible waiver participants hire and direct their own caregivers (including some family, rules apply). More control over who provides your care. See PDS details within CHFS – 1915(c) Waivers.
Long‑Term Care Ombudsman Independent advocates for residents of nursing homes and assisted living. Investigates complaints and protects rights. Contact via DAIL: Long‑Term Care Ombudsman info at DAIL.
Nursing home search and quality Medicare’s Care Compare tool. Compare staffing, inspections, and quality measures. Use Medicare Care Compare.

Reality check: Waiver services may have waiting lists or limited provider availability in rural areas. Get on the list early, keep your contact info up to date, and ask your AAAIL about interim options (like meals, transportation, or limited homemaker hours).

Legal, safety, and consumer protection

Topic Who can help What they do Links
Free civil legal help Four regional legal aid programs Evictions, benefits denials, debt collection, elder abuse orders, and more (income limits apply). • Western KY: Kentucky Legal Aid • Louisville area: Legal Aid Society • Central/Northern/Eastern: Legal Aid of the Bluegrass • Appalachian KY: AppalReD Legal Aid
Elder abuse/neglect/exploitation Adult Protective Services (APS) Investigates and coordinates protection. How to report: CHFS – Report abuse, neglect or exploitation.
Consumer scams Kentucky Attorney General Scam alerts, complaint filing, and education. KY Attorney General – Consumer Protection.
Disaster readiness and recovery Kentucky Emergency Management; FEMA Statewide alerts, shelters, and federal aid. KY Emergency Management and DisasterAssistance.gov.

How to get help fast: step‑by‑step

  1. Call 211 and ask for three things at once
  • Emergency food within 24–48 hours.
  • Bill help for any shutoff notice in hand.
  • A referral to your local Area Agency on Aging for ongoing support.
    Find 211 at Kentucky 211.
  1. Apply on kynect benefits (or call)
  • Go to kynect benefits for SNAP, Medicaid, QMB/SLMB (Medicare Savings Programs), and more.
  • Phone help: DCBS Family Support Call Center 855‑306‑8959 (see CHFS Family Support).
    Tip: Tell the screener if you have no money for food, have a shutoff notice, or are homeless. That can speed up SNAP and LIHEAP decisions.
  1. Contact your local Community Action agency
  • They run LIHEAP, Weatherization, and emergency assistance in many counties.
  • Start at Community Action Kentucky and use the agency finder.
  1. If you need in‑home help or a nursing home
  • Call your AAAIL for a free options counselor.
  • Ask about the HCB Waiver, PDS, homemaker services, adult day health, and caregiver respite.
  • Start at DAIL – Programs and services and request your local AAAIL contact.
  1. If you think someone is being abused or exploited

Food, income, and basic needs

Reality check: Benefit amounts and income limits change every year. If you were denied in the past, ask your AAAIL or SHIP to recheck—rules may have changed.

Health care, long‑term care, and caregiving

  • Medicaid and long‑term services:
    • Kentucky Medicaid covers medical care and, if you qualify, long‑term services at home or in a nursing facility. Start at CHFS Medicaid.
    • Home and Community Based (HCB) Waiver: Provides help at home so you can avoid or delay nursing home placement. Learn more at CHFS – 1915(c) Waivers.
    • Participant Directed Services (PDS): Lets some waiver participants hire their own caregivers. Details on the same CHFS waiver page above.
  • Medicare help:
  • Choosing a facility or home care:
  • Behavioral health:
    • For crisis, call 988.
    • Kentucky’s regional Community Mental Health Centers serve every county. Find your regional board through the Kentucky Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID): DBHDID – Get help.

Tip: Bring a current medication list and insurance cards to every appointment. Ask your pharmacist to print a list if you don’t have one.

Housing stability and home safety

  • Finding affordable housing:
  • Preventing eviction:
  • Property tax relief:
    • Homestead Exemption for homeowners 65+. Rules and the current exemption amount are posted by the Kentucky Department of Revenue: Homestead Exemption. Apply through your county Property Valuation Administrator (PVA).
  • Home safety and repairs:
    • Weatherization can fix drafts, install smoke/CO alarms, and check heating systems: KHC – Weatherization.
    • Some counties have minor home repair programs through Community Action or city housing departments; ask 211 or your AAAIL.

Reality check: Many housing programs have waitlists and paperwork. Apply early, save copies of everything, and ask for help completing forms if needed.

Transportation and mobility

  • Medicaid rides to medical care:
    • Kentucky’s Human Service Transportation Delivery (HSTD) program arranges non‑emergency medical transportation for Medicaid members. Learn how it works at the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s Office of Transportation Delivery: HSTD program. Contact your managed care plan or the HSTD broker listed for your region.
  • Senior transportation:
    • Your AAAIL may offer rides to medical appointments, pharmacies, or senior centers. Start at DAIL – Find your AAAIL.
    • ITN Bluegrass offers discounted, arm‑in‑arm rides for older adults in the Lexington area: ITN Bluegrass (non‑profit).
    • Public transit: Many transit agencies provide ADA paratransit. Ask your city’s transit provider or check the KYTC Office of Transportation Delivery for transit links: KYTC – Public Transit and Human Services Transportation.
  • Assistive technology:
    • The Kentucky Assistive Technology Service (KATS) Network loans devices and can help with low‑cost equipment: KATS Network.
    • For amplified phones or TTY, Kentucky’s Telecommunications Access Program (TAP) may provide equipment if you qualify: KCDHH – TAP.

Inclusive support

LGBTQ+ seniors

  • SAGE National LGBT Elder Hotline: 877‑360‑LGBT (5428). Confidential support and resources. See SAGE Hotline.
  • Medicare and Medicaid are nondiscrimination programs; if you face discrimination, you can file a complaint with your plan and with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights: HHS OCR – File a complaint.
  • For state civil rights issues, contact the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights: KCHR.

Veteran seniors

  • Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) offers benefits help and operates state veterans centers: KDVA.
  • VA health care, pensions, and Aid & Attendance (for help with long‑term care costs): start at U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
  • Free rides to VA medical appointments may be available through the DAV Transportation Network: DAV Transportation.

Native American and Alaska Native elders

  • If you are an enrolled tribal member, you may qualify for services through Indian Health Service (IHS), Tribal, or Urban Indian programs. Learn more at IHS – Eligibility.
  • Title VI Native American aging programs (meals, caregiver support) operate through tribes. Search grantees via the Administration for Community Living: ACL Title VI Programs.
    Note: Kentucky has no federally recognized tribal reservations in‑state. If you’re a member of a tribe based elsewhere, contact your tribe’s elders program for assistance and referrals near you.

Rural seniors and limited access

  • Ask your AAAIL about home‑delivered meals, telephone/telehealth counseling, and mobile clinics. Find your AAAIL via DAIL.
  • Use phone‑based enrollment: DCBS Family Support Call Center 855‑306‑8959 (see CHFS Family Support).
  • Phone and broadband savings: Lifeline Support.
  • Transportation for medical appointments: Medicaid HSTD rides if eligible (see HSTD program); otherwise ask your AAAIL or 211 for local volunteer driver programs.

Resources by region

Kentucky’s aging network is organized through Area Agencies on Aging and Independent Living (AAAILs), hosted by the state’s Area Development Districts. Your AAAIL is your “front door” for meals, transportation, case management, caregiver respite, and the HCB Waiver.

Legal aid is delivered by four regional non‑profits:

Housing and energy help is delivered locally by Community Action agencies:

Documents that make applications easier

  • Photo ID and Social Security number.
  • Proof of Kentucky address (lease, bill, or mail).
  • Proof of income (Social Security award letter, pension statement, pay stubs).
  • Bank statements (for some programs).
  • Utility shutoff notices or past‑due bills (for LIHEAP Crisis).
  • Medicare and/or Medicaid cards.
  • List of medications and pharmacies.

Tip: Keep a “benefits folder” with copies. If you don’t have a printer, ask a library, senior center, or AAAIL to help you make copies.

Common roadblocks (and how to handle them)

  • “I can’t get through on the phone.”
    Try calling early morning or use online portals. Ask 211 or your AAAIL to conference you into an agency.
  • “I was denied before.”
    Rules change. Appeal deadlines are short (often 30 days). Call legal aid for help with appeals: see the legal aid links above.
  • “I can’t travel.”
    Ask for phone interviews, home visits (where available), and mail‑in or online forms. AAAILs can often help fill out forms by phone.
  • “I don’t have internet.”
    Use Lifeline to lower phone/broadband costs: Lifeline Support. Libraries and senior centers also offer free internet and help.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How fast can I get SNAP in Kentucky if I have no food?
A: Some households qualify for “expedited” SNAP if income and resources are very low. Decisions are faster and benefits may come within days. Apply at kynect benefits or call 855‑306‑8959. Program details: CHFS SNAP.

Q: When does Kentucky run LIHEAP?
A: LIHEAP has seasonal enrollment (heating, cooling) and a Crisis component for shutoffs or low fuel. Dates and amounts change each year. Check CHFS LIHEAP and your local Community Action agency at Community Action Kentucky – LIHEAP.

Q: How do I get help paying my Medicare Part B premium?
A: Apply for a Medicare Savings Program (QMB, SLMB, or QI) through kynect benefits. Learn what each program pays at Medicare.gov – Get help with costs. Kentucky SHIP can help you apply: SHIP locator.

Q: Can I get help at home instead of going to a nursing home?
A: Possibly. Kentucky’s HCB Waiver provides in‑home services if you meet medical and financial rules. Learn more at CHFS – 1915(c) Waivers and call your AAAIL to start.

Q: How do I report elder abuse in Kentucky?
A: If danger is immediate, call 911. Otherwise, report to Adult Protective Services. Instructions and the 24/7 reporting options are at CHFS – Report abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Q: Where do I find affordable senior housing?
A: Use the HUD Resource Locator and visit Kentucky Housing Corporation. You can also ask your AAAIL about local senior buildings and waitlists.

Q: I lost my Medicare or Social Security card. What now?
A: Order replacements online or by phone: SSA – Replace your card and Medicare – Get a replacement card.

Q: Is 211 available statewide in Kentucky?
A: Yes, 211 covers Kentucky and can connect you to local food, housing, utility, and health resources. Visit Kentucky 211.

Q: How do I claim the Homestead Exemption for property tax?
A: Most homeowners 65+ can apply through their county PVA office. Bring proof of age and residence. See details at KY Dept. of Revenue – Homestead Exemption.

Q: I’m a veteran—who can help me apply for Aid & Attendance?
A: Contact the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs for free assistance: KDVA and review eligibility at VA – Pension with Aid and Attendance.

Resource directory (save this list)

Practical examples

  • Example 1: Your power company posted a shutoff notice.
    Call 211 and your local Community Action agency the same day. Ask for LIHEAP Crisis help. Put a copy of the notice in your folder. Then apply at kynect benefits for SNAP and Medicaid if you might qualify.
  • Example 2: You can’t afford your Medicare premium anymore.
    Apply for a Medicare Savings Program through kynect. Ask Kentucky SHIP to confirm which program you qualify for and whether Extra Help could cut your drug costs: SHIP locator and SSA Extra Help.
  • Example 3: You’re caring for a spouse and need a break.
    Call your AAAIL and ask about the HCB Waiver, respite, and adult day health. Learn what services are available in your county via DAIL and CHFS – 1915(c) Waivers.

Warnings and reality checks

  • Be careful with “fee‑based advisors” who promise benefits for a price. Programs listed here are free to apply. If someone asks for large fees, report it to the KY Attorney General – Consumer Protection.
  • Keep deadlines: Appeals often have short windows (as little as 10–30 days). If you get a denial, call legal aid right away.
  • Don’t skip medications. Ask your pharmacist and SHIP about cheaper alternatives, patient assistance programs, and Extra Help.
  • In disasters, only apply through official sites like DisasterAssistance.gov or verified local government links. Beware of impostors.

About This Guide

by the GrantsForSeniors.org Editorial Team

The GrantsForSeniors.org editorial team has been building benefit and assistance resources for seniors nationwide since 2020. We research programs across all 50 states by reviewing government websites, checking agency updates, and gathering information from available sources.

Our Commitment to You:
• Experience & Expertise: The information in this guide is compiled and reviewed by a team with experience in senior services and financial aid programs. We are committed to sharing our knowledge to help you find the support you need.
• Authority & Trust: We rely on verified sources, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, and official program websites, to ensure the accuracy of our content. Our goal is to be a trusted authority you can rely on for credible information.
• Clarity & Accessibility: We understand that seeking financial assistance can be challenging. This guide is designed to be clear and easy to understand, breaking down complex topics into actionable steps.

While we work hard to provide the most accurate information available, please note that program details and eligibility requirements can change. We recommend always checking with the official program source or agency website for the most current information, as we are not official agencies but rather compile available information.

• Last Updated: August 2025
• Sources Verified: August 2025
• Next Review: February 2026

If you find outdated information, discover new resources, or have questions, please contact us at info@grantsforseniors.org. We’re here to help seniors find resources that can make a real difference in their daily lives.

Disclaimer

Program rules, amounts, and eligibility change over time and may vary by county. This guide is for general information only and is not legal or financial advice. Always confirm details with the official agency or a qualified advisor using the links provided above.

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