Public Assistance Programs in Kentucky: What You Need to Know
Written by Cooper & Friedman PLLC on March 27, 2020
Kentucky’s public assistance programs help individuals and families with low incomes cover basic living expenses. Programs cover food, health care, housing, financial assistance, and more. The programs that cover these areas each have their own set of requirements and, subsequently, their own application processes. Here is a look at some of the main public assistance programs in Kentucky.
Food-Related Public Assistance – SNAP
You can receive food assistance through Kentucky’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. This program helps people with low incomes increase their food-buying power, giving them the ability to buy food for healthy meals at participating locations.
Households that meet a few basic requirements may be eligible for SNAP. US Citizens and some legal foreign residents are eligible to receive SNAP benefits. Additionally, people in households between ages 18 and 59 with the ability to work must register for, look for, and accept work opportunities. Households also must have cash and bank account assets of no more than $2,250 (if the household has a member over 60, the number is $3,500 or less). There are also specific income requirements that are based on household size.
Visit the Kentucky SNAP webpage or call 502-564-3440 to learn more and apply.
Health Care Public Assistance – Medicaid
Kentucky Medicaid is a program that provides free or low-cost health care to low-income people including families, children, people with disabilities, elderly people, and pregnant women. To qualify for Medicaid in Kentucky, you must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident with low or very low income (income requirements vary by household size). There are many different programs and services offered through Medicaid to meet specific eligibility and health needs. To learn more about eligibility, visit this webpage.
You can visit the Kentucky Health Benefit Exchange website or call 855-459-6328 to apply for Medicaid today. Application assisters are available to help you apply.
Financial Assistance – Unemployment Insurance
Unemployment Insurance in Kentucky provides money to workers who have recently lost their jobs. The amount of benefits ranges from $50 per week to $552 per week depending on previous earnings.
There are a few criteria to qualify for these benefits. First, you must have earned a certain amount over the year prior to when you became unemployed. Additionally, you have to have become unemployed through no fault of your own (for instance, layoffs due to economic pressures). You also have to actively search for work if you are able to work while receiving unemployment benefits.
However, with the coronavirus impacting so many jobs, there are some temporary changes to restrictions and when to apply for unemployment insurance in Kentucky, including waiting periods and work search requirements. Visit the Kentucky Career Center website where you can learn more about when and how you should apply.
There are many assistance programs you may qualify for, so it’s important to check which benefits fit you. To learn more about what benefits you qualify for, visit https://benefind.ky.gov/ or call 1-855-306-8959.
As an experienced personal injury law firm, Cooper & Friedman has defended the rights of clients with hundreds of different types of injuries. We believe every person deserves the government benefits they are eligible for. Learn more about our law firm, or set up a free case consultation with one of our experienced injury attorneys by calling 502-459-7555 now.