COVID-19 Utility Relief Funds Available

Governor Andy Beshear has signed an executive order that designates $15 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds for the Healthy at Home Utility Relief Fund. This will provide relief for those at risk of natural gas, water, wastewater or electric service disconnection. These funds will be available through Dec. 1, 2020 or until the money runs out. 

Customers can apply through Community Action of Kentucky. This organization administers the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and is accustomed to assisting Kentuckians in paying their utility bills. The local office in Frankfort is Bluegrass Community Action Partnership. Customers can call 695-5615 to set up an appointment to apply for the funds.

The executive order also ends the statewide moratorium on disconnections for nonpayment of utilities. Under direction of the order, FPB is automatically enrolling any accounts with a past-due balance into a default payment plan.  

Customers will not need to contact the office to set up payment arrangements. Past due balances will be split into monthly installments according to the following:

Past Due Balance Pay Arrangement
Up to $600 6 Months
$601 to $1200 12 Months
$1202 to $1800 18 Months
More than $1801 24 Months

The amount due on future bills starting in December will include current charges and the monthly payment arrangement. Accounts that default on the new payment plans will be subject to disconnection on or after Jan. 4, 2020.

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