Kentucky Impact Program

The Kentucky Impact Program provides services to children and adolescents with disabilities. In order to qualify for this program the child must be younger than eighteen years, must have a clinical diagnosis psychiatric disorder. The child must experience two of the following:

• limited ability for self-care
• difficulty building interpersonal relationships
• difficulty in daily life activities
• have been disabled for at least one year
• must require service planning from at least two agencies

To apply for this program call the state office for Kentucky Impact at (502)564-7610. You will need to ask for a nomination form. Once the nomination form is completed, a committee of professionals will review the form to determine if Kentucky Impact is suitable for the child. If Kentucky Impact is not the best source of assistance for the child, then the child will be referred to the appropriate agency. If the child is accepted to the program, a service coordinator will help create a team of adults that will work closely with the child.

Food Stamp Benefits

Food Stamp Benefits helps people with little or no money buy food at participating stores. Any household who meets basic income and other requirements may be eligible to receive food stamp benefits. Adult children who are over 21 years old who live with their parents may qualify for their own food stamp account if they purchase and prepare food separately from their parents. Adult siblings who live together, but not with their parents, who purchase and prepare meals separately may also have separate food stamp accounts. People who must be included in one household account, regardless of whether or not they buy and prepare meals separately are spouses of any household member, parents living with natural, adopted or stepchildren who are age 21 or younger and children younger than 18 who are dependents of an adult household member. Only citizens of the United States and some legal immigrants of the United States may receive food stamp benefits. Household members who are 16 to 60 years old and can work must look for and accept work. Some exceptions apply to this requirement. Members of the household are only to have up to $2000 in cash and bank account assets. If there is a member who is 60 or older, they may have up to $3000 in resources. The amount of benefits a household may receive depends on the size of the household. All wages or other payments received by someone in the household are counted as income. The household may qualify for deductions from income such as rent, utilities, legally obligated child support paid to someone outside the household and babysitting expenses. If there are disabled or someone over age 60 in the household, you may be allowed deductions for medical costs. To apply for food stamps the head of household or an authorized representative must be interviewed by a food stamps caseworker. The head of household or authorized representative should complete your application and turn it in as soon as possible. Benefits will begin the date of your application is received. If your household needs benefits right away, you may be able to get them within a few days after applying. Otherwise, you will receive a letter within 30 days telling you whether or not you will receive benefits. You will receive an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card and a Personal Identification Card (PIN) in the mail to access your food stamp account. Your benefits will be deposited to the EBT card each month.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy. To be eligible for assistance a household's income must not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level or 60 percent of the State median income. Households with the highest home energy costs or needs in relation to income get help before those who have lower energy costs. The Federal government does not send or take applications for LIHEAP assistance unlike other programs. LIHEAP State grantee (A number of State LIHEAP offices provide toll-free numbers and websites for public inquiries.) There is a Community Action Service that provides LIHEAP assistance in Montgomery County, Kentucky. In order to apply you must bring your energy bill, proof of income, Social Security numbers of everyone in the household, and a valid identification.

The Child Care Assistance Program

The Child Care Assistance Program can help families pay childcare costs for children up to age 13, and for children with special needs up to age 18. The program pays childcare costs for qualifying families while they work, look for work, or attend school. To qualify for assistance the families have to comply with child support enforcement if applicable for all children in the family. Care for the children must be provided by a licensed child care facility, a certified child care provider, or an approved registered provider. Children must live with family whose income does not exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty level. To promote parental responsibility, families with a monthly income above $900 may have to pay a co-payment. The families who receive child care assistance are responsible for paying the payment directly to the child care provider. Assistance is also provided parents who receives, or needs to receive, protective or preventive services without regard to income and the parental co-payment may be waived. Some of the work requirements are that the parent must be employed for a minimum of 20 hours per week or be enrolled in an education or training program and works for wages at least 20 hours per week. When applying for child care assistance be sure to have verification of income for all household members, names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and copies of current immunization records for children needing care.

Supplemental Security Income For Disabled Children

Supplemental Security Income For Disabled Children is also known as SSI benefits for children. In order for a child to be eligible for SSI benefits, the child must be either blind or disabled. A child may be eligible for SSI disability benefits beginning as early as the date of birth. There is no minimum age requirement. A child may get these benefits until they reach eighteen years. When the child reaches eighteen, they are evaluated for impairments based on the definition of disability for adults. If a child has a visual impairment they may be eligible for SSI blindness benefits if the impairment meets the definition of blindness. The conditions must have lasted or be expected to last for at least twelve months or end in death. In most states if a child gets SSI benefits they can get Medicaid to help pay medical bills. If you have questions or need more information on SSI benefits for children or adults contact your local Social Security Office or call 1-800-772-1213.

Medicaid

Medicaid is an entitlement program that is jointly funded by the states and federal government, and is managed by the states. People that are served by Medicaid are eligible low-income parents, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. If an individual is poor or very poor this doesn't neccessarily qualify them for Medicaid. The largest source of funding for medical and health-related services for people with limited income is Medicaid. Medicaid was created to help low-income individuals who are eligible to pay for some or all of their medical bills. Eligibility rules differ from state to state, but all states must follow the same basic framework. Some eligibility requirements are age, pregnancy, disability, blindness, income, resources, and a person's status as a U.S. citizen or a lawfully admitted immigrant. Children may be eligible for Medicaid regardless of their parents eligibility status as long as they are a U.S. citizen or a legal immigrant. In some states beneficiaries are required to pay a co-payment for medical services. If a person wants to apply for Medicaid they need contact their counties office of Cabinet for Family and Health Services.

WIC Program

WIC is also known as a Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. WIC is a nutritional program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, and children up to age five. The program is offered to low-income families. Studies show that prenatal WIC participation for low-income Medicaid women results in longer pregnancies, fewer premature births, and fewer infant deaths. Also, more women are breastfeeding due to their participation in the WIC program, because they provide them with information on breastfeeding. Children enrolled in the program are more likely to have a regular source of medical care and have more up to date immunizations. WIC significantly improves children's diets. Some examples of where you might find WIC services are county health departments, hospitals, mobile clinics, community centers, schools, public housing sites, migrant health centers, and Indian Health Service facilities.