URIDA lists 72 programs for people in Kentucky: 61 from government agencies, 11 from nonprofits, foundations, utilities and other private groups. Each one was checked against its official page. Some serve only part of the state, and dates and rules change, so look on the official page before you apply.
URIDA is not a government agency. Each program's operator takes applications and decides eligibility.
Rules and ways to apply show what the official pages name, and there can be others. Words in quotation marks are copied from the official page. FPL means the federal poverty level.
ESAP is limited to elderly and/or disabled households with no earned income. Children can be present in the household, but not other adult household members.
National School Lunch Program (Kentucky Department of Education)
Run by Kentucky Department of Education, Division of School and Community Nutrition (state level)
Who it is for
Children at participating Kentucky schools and residential child care institutions. Family income at or below 130 percent of poverty: free meals; between 130 and 185 percent: reduced-price meals (no more than 40 cents).
Commonwealth of Kentucky, statewide; any household meeting basic income and other requirements may be able to receive SNAP benefits. Resource limit $2,250 in cash and bank account assets, or $3,500 if a member is 60 or older.
Mainstream Voucher Program - Kentucky Housing Corporation
Run by Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)
Who it is for
Kentucky Balance of State CoC jurisdiction (118 counties); households including a person with disabilities at least 18 and not yet 62, in a targeted group (leaving institutional settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, homeless, previously homeless, or at risk of homelessness).
Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) - Daniel Boone Community Action Agency
Run by Daniel Boone Community Action Agency, Inc. (DBCAA)
Who it is for
Clay, Jackson, Laurel, and Rockcastle Counties, Kentucky; low-income and fixed-income households that are homeless or facing eviction, meet income guidelines, have not moved into the residence before receiving assistance, and whose residence passes an Nspire inspection.
Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP) - Louisville MSD
Run by Louisville/Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD)
Who it is for
Louisville/Jefferson County, Kentucky MSD customers: main account holder or listed on the account; residential metered water service at the principal residence (owned or leased); not receiving MSD's Senior Citizen discount; total household income at or below 175% of the poverty line.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
Who it is for
Kentucky statewide; subsidy component for residents at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty level; liquid resources may not exceed $2,000 (up to $4,000 when a household member has a catastrophic illness).
Run by LG&E and KU (LG&E and KU Energy LLC, based in Louisville, Kentucky)
Who it is for
LG&E and KU residential customers (renters and owners of homes or buildings under 4 units) with at least one month of service, no WeCare at the address in the last three years, and receiving an income-based program (e.g., LIHEAP, Medicaid, SNAP, Section 8, WIC) or at federal income levels.
Run by KY HELP Statewide Call Center, on Hope and Help
Who it is for
Kentuckians suffering from a substance use disorder; individuals seeking treatment for themselves or others, and family members who have questions or are in need of support (Kentucky statewide).
Office for Children with Special Health Care Needs (OCSHCN)
Who it is for
Kentucky residents younger than 21 with a condition that usually responds to medical treatment provided in the program and who meet financial guidelines. Clinics are listed in cities including Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro, Paducah, Somerset and Morehead.
Quit Now Kentucky (Kentucky Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program)
Who it is for
'Anyone in Kentucky can use these services at no cost, with no referral needed from a healthcare provider.' Quit Now Kentucky is available to people of all ages; My Life, My Quit is for Kentuckians 17 and younger.
Crime Victims Compensation Fund Program (Kentucky Crime Victims Compensation Board)
Run by Crime Victims Compensation Board, Office of Claims and Appeals
Who it is for
Survivors of violent crime who have no other resources to pay for the listed expenses resulting from the crime (Kentucky). When awarded, payments are made directly to service providers or can be reimbursements to victims or Claimants.
Kentucky Unclaimed Property (Kentucky State Treasury)
Run by Kentucky State Treasury, Unclaimed Property Division
Who it is for
Owners of property reported to Kentucky; only the owner, heir, or court-appointed representative can file a claim (or, for a living owner unable to file, their legal Power of Attorney, Guardian, or Conservator).
Head Start Preschool - Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Run by Community Action of Southern Kentucky
Who it is for
Allen, Barren, Butler, Edmonson, Hart, Logan, Metcalfe, Monroe, Simpson and Warren counties, Kentucky: eligible children ages 3 through 5 and their families.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training (E&T)
Who it is for
Kentucky, available in all 120 counties; all SNAP recipients ages 18 to 64, including 16- and 17-year olds who are the head of household, if screened to be appropriate by DCBS staff.
WIOA training for individuals (Kentucky Career Center)
Run by Kentucky Career Center
Who it is for
WIOA eligibility standards include age, income level, education and skills and work circumstances (e.g. laid off or notified of layoff from a closure or substantial layoff); some programs for youth 14 to 21 with very limited income, others for 18 and older.
Run by KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority)
Who it is for
Kentucky residents who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, high school graduates or enrolled in or completed a GED program, have not earned an associate's or higher degree, and are enrolled or accepted in an approved program at an eligible postsecondary institution.
Run by KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority)
Who it is for
Financially needy undergraduate Kentucky residents enrolled in an eligible school for at least 6 semester hours or equivalent quarter hours in an eligible course of study; must be U.S. citizens.
Kentucky Adult Education (KYAE) - free GED preparation and testing
Run by Kentucky Office of Adult Education
Who it is for
Kentucky adults. Eligible individuals taking their first GED exam in any subject qualify for free testing (GED Testing Service offers discounts for retests in certain circumstances).
Students attending a certified Kentucky high school who earn at least a 2.5 GPA, used at any participating college in Kentucky (or an out-of-state Academic Common Market school if a major isn't offered in Kentucky).
KY Saves 529 (Kentucky Education Savings Plan Trust)
Run by Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), administrator
Who it is for
Families across Kentucky; Kentucky residents get listed benefits such as possible in-state tuition for select beneficiaries and accounts not being included in Kentucky need-based college financial aid determinations. Funds can be used at eligible schools worldwide.
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) - Kentucky
Who it is for
Kentucky residents 55 or older with an income at or less than 125 percent of the poverty level, in the counties served by the listed local programs (Audubon, Bluegrass Community Action, Cumberland Valley, Kentucky River/Big Sandy, Pennyrile, Purchase).
Available in every Kentucky county; any eligible child up to age 3 (developmental delay, established risk condition, or informed clinical opinion). Most families receive services at no cost; Family Share sliding fee ranges from no cost to $400 per month.
Individuals whose disability began before age 46 (previously age 26), under the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act; 2026 residency requirement listed as 'U.S. resident'.
A veteran who is disabled by reason of disease, wounds, age, or otherwise in need of nursing care; a Kentucky resident as of the date of admission; with a discharge not of a dishonorable nature. Not eligible if needs cannot be met by the Veterans Center.
Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) - Refugee and Immigrant Services
Run by Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM)
Who it is for
Eligible refugee and immigrant clients in Kentucky, upon arrival and for up to five years in the United States (offices in Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky/Covington).
Qualifying users in Kentucky with non-criminal (civil) legal questions, e.g. Family, Divorce, Custody, Housing, Eviction, Consumer Rights, Employment, Unemployment, Health and Disability, Juvenile and Education Law. Users answer questions to see if they qualify.
Free Electronic Filing (Free File and KY File) - Kentucky Department of Revenue
Run by Kentucky Department of Revenue
Who it is for
Kentucky individual income tax filers; Free File offers for income of $69,000 or less; KY File for current year Kentucky returns (federal forms must be completed first).
Run by Kentucky Department of Revenue (Finance and Administration Cabinet)
Who it is for
Kentucky homeowners who are (at) least 65 years of age, or classified as totally disabled under a program of a U.S. government agency or any retirement system and receiving disability payments for the entire assessment period, and who meet other requirements.
Kentucky Disabled Parking Permits (placards and disabled license plates)
Run by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
Who it is for
Kentucky residents whose mobility, flexibility, coordination, respiration, or perceptiveness is significantly reduced by a permanent or temporary disability to the arms, legs, lungs, heart, ears, or eyes.
Louisville, Kentucky (TARC local fixed routes): youth age 6 to 17; citizens with disabilities; Medicare cardholders; citizens age 65 and older. Children ages 5 and under ride fare-free on all routes.
Lifeline program (Kentucky Public Service Commission guide)
Run by Kentucky Public Service Commission
Who it is for
Kentucky households in Medicaid, SNAP, Federal Public Housing, SSI, or Veterans Pension and Survivor Benefits, OR with income at or below 135% of federal poverty guidelines, AND who have paid or arranged payment of any outstanding phone balance; one discount per household.
Kentucky Small Business Development Center (Kentucky SBDC)
Who it is for
Kentucky small businesses and people starting a business; 'SBDC services are provided in a nondiscriminatory way to all legal residents and citizens in the US.'
KSBCI 2.0 Loan Programs (Kentucky Small Business Credit Initiative)
Run by Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development
Who it is for
Kentucky small businesses/entrepreneurs seeking financing through participating lenders, credit unions and community development financial institutions.
Assistance for Individuals and Households (Kentucky Emergency Management)
Run by Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), Kentucky Emergency Management Division
Who it is for
Disaster survivors in Kentucky who live in an area included in a presidential disaster declaration for Individual Assistance; Disaster Legal Services are for survivors who qualify as low-income.