Louisville LG&E Winter Help 2026–27: Kentucky's Winter Hardship Rules, LIHEAP and Who to Call
Kentucky has no blanket winter ban on utility shutoffs. Instead, the state's utility rules give specific protections that you have to ask for. These include a 30-day delay on a winter shutoff, a winter hardship reconnection after you've been cut off, and a 30-day medical delay. Each one depends on handing the right certificate to LG&E at the right time.
This guide explains those rules in plain terms, then lists the Louisville programs that help pay the bill.
Last checked October 2026. Rules come from Kentucky Public Service Commission regulation 807 KAR 5:006 (Sections 14–16). Program details come from Louisville Metro's LIHEAP page and LG&E's heating and cooling assistance page.
The Three Protections, in One Place
1. The winter 30-day delay (Section 15). If you got your termination notice between November 1 and March 31, LG&E can't shut off service for 30 days past the termination date. To get this, you must present a certificate from the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, or its designee, showing that you're eligible for energy assistance or that your household income is at or below 130% of the poverty level. The certificate must reach LG&E during the initial 10-day notice period.
2. Winter hardship reconnection (Section 16). If you've already been disconnected for nonpayment and you apply to reconnect between November 1 and March 31, LG&E must reconnect you if you meet three conditions:
present a certificate of need from the Cabinet or its designee, including a weatherization referral,
pay one-third of the outstanding bill or $200, whichever is less, and
agree to a repayment schedule that gets you current no later than October 15.
3. The medical certificate (Section 15). If a physician, registered nurse or public health officer certifies in writing that a shutoff would aggravate a debilitating illness or infirmity of someone living in the home, LG&E can't shut off service for 30 days past the termination date.
The regulation doesn't name a local office. In Louisville, energy assistance is run by Louisville Metro's Office of Social Services, the area's Community Action agency, so start there as soon as a notice arrives and ask how to get the certificate.
How the Winter 30-Day Delay Works
The notice period is short, so here's the order:
Termination notice arrives (dated November 1 to March 31).
Within the first 10 days, get the certificate. That means calling Louisville Metro's LIHEAP line, (502) 991-8391, and asking for an energy assistance eligibility certificate for a utility shutoff.
Give the certificate to LG&E within that 10-day window.
Show good faith. The rule says you must make a present payment based on your ability to pay.
Agree to a repayment plan that brings you current as soon as possible, and no later than October 15.
No new deposit: LG&E can't require a new deposit to avoid termination during that 30-day period if you present the certificate.
How Winter Hardship Reconnection Works
This applies if your power or gas is already off and you apply to get it back between November 1 and March 31.
Down payment: one-third of what you owe or $200, whichever is less. If you owe $450, that's $150. If you owe $900, it's $200.
Big balances: If you owe more than $600, the utility must accept a plan that covers current charges plus a good-faith reduction of the balance based on what you can pay.
Payment frequency: You can choose to pay the arrearage once a month or in more than one payment each month, on top of current charges.
No new deposit and no reconnect charge for customers reconnected under this section.
Medical Certificates: What to Know
A physician, RN or public health officer has to put it in writing.
It buys 30 days past the termination date.
LG&E can refuse a second consecutive extension unless the certificate comes with an agreed partial payment plan.
LG&E can't require a new deposit to avoid termination during that 30 days.
Tip: Ask the doctor's office to fax or email the certificate straight to LG&E, and keep a copy. Then call LG&E to confirm it was received.
Payment Plans You're Entitled to Ask For
Under Section 14 of the regulation:
Partial payment plans: LG&E must negotiate and accept reasonable partial payment plans if you ask after getting a termination notice. The exception is if you're already behind on an earlier plan. Plans longer than 30 days must be in writing or electronically recorded.
Plans for certificate holders: If you presented a medical certificate or a certificate of need, gas and electric utilities must base the plan on your ability to pay, with the account current by the following October 15. These plans can include budget billing or deferring part of the balance until after the heating season.
Budget billing: LG&E must offer residential customers a budget payment plan, a fixed monthly amount that's trued up once every 12 months.
Once you have a plan, keep it. The regulation says service can't be shut off while you're meeting the plan's requirements. It also lets the utility refuse a new plan if you're delinquent on an old one.
LIHEAP in Louisville
LIHEAP in Jefferson County is run by the Louisville Metro Office of Social Services, which is the area's Community Action agency.
Appointments: Call (502) 991-8391 or use the online LIHEAP Appointment Scheduler. The system runs 24/7. You don't need to fill out an application in advance. Intake is in person with a LIHEAP worker at your appointment.
Season status: The Summer Subsidy ran August 3 to September 11, 2026. When we checked in October 2026, Louisville Metro hadn't posted dates for the winter components on its LIHEAP page. Call the line or check the page for updates.
Income limit: Louisville Metro's page lists these gross monthly limits (150% of federal poverty guidelines) for the summer subsidy:
1 person: $1,995
2 people: $2,705
3 people: $3,415
4 people: $4,125
5 people: $4,835
6 people: $5,545
7 people: $6,255
8 people: $6,965
Each additional person: add $710
What to bring:
proof of residence (photo ID, property tax bill, lease, etc.)
proof of Social Security number, or a permanent resident card, for each household member
proof of income for the preceding month for everyone in the household
your most recent electric bill, or a landlord statement if electric is included in rent, or a utility statement if you're on prepay
the account number and the name on the account for your main heating fuel and your electric bill
Forms for zero-income households, designated representatives and certificates of utility responsibility are on the Metro LIHEAP page.
Receiving LIHEAP from one component doesn't disqualify you from the next one, according to Louisville Metro.
Other Local Help LG&E Lists
Community Winterhelp: emergency heating help January to April for households without heat or in immediate danger of losing it. LG&E matches customer donations. Reach it through your area community ministry (louisvilleministries.org/members.php) or by calling 211 / 877-566-4968.
Community Ministries: Ministries serve every Louisville zip code, offering some emergency help with gas, electric, water and rent. There's a map at louisvilleministries.org.
Louisville Metro Financial Assistance: 311 or 502-574-5000, for households that meet income and crisis criteria, covering shelter and utilities.
Louisville Metro Community Services: 502-574-8000, for eligibility screening and referral to a Neighborhood Place.
Cutting the Bill Long-Term
WeCare (LG&E): free weatherization and energy education for customers who meet LIHEAP income guidelines. Call 1-800-356-5467. LG&E's page says there's no longer a 9-month continuous service requirement. Louisville Metro's page still lists one, so confirm when you call. Homes that got these services in the last three years don't qualify, and renters need landlord consent.
Project Warm: 502-636-WARM (9276), free weatherization repairs for income-eligible homeowners and renters.
New Directions Housing Corporation: 502-589-2272, help with energy-saving improvements for low-income renters and owners.
MSD wastewater: LG&E's page also points to MSD's Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program, which offers up to 30% off.
LG&E customer service: 502-589-1444 or 800-331-7370.
FAQ
Does Kentucky ban winter shutoffs? No. Kentucky gives a 30-day delay for qualifying households that get a notice between November 1 and March 31 and present a certificate within the 10-day notice period. It also requires winter hardship reconnection for qualifying customers.
How much do I have to pay to get reconnected in winter? Under winter hardship reconnection, one-third of the balance or $200, whichever is less, plus a repayment plan that gets you current by October 15. You also need a certificate of need.
Who gives the certificate? The Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services or its designee. In Louisville, start with the Metro LIHEAP line at (502) 991-8391.
Can LG&E make me pay a new deposit? Not to avoid a shutoff during the 30-day certificate period, and not when you're reconnected under winter hardship rules.
When does Winterhelp start? LG&E says Community Winterhelp provides emergency heating help from January to April.
Related Guides
Sources
807 KAR 5:006 (Kentucky PSC general rules): https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/807/005/006/
Louisville Metro, LIHEAP: https://louisvilleky.gov/government/office-social-services/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap
LG&E, Heating or cooling assistance programs: https://lge-ku.com/residential/assistance-programs/lge-heating-assistance
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