Division of Family Support

The Division of Family Support is responsible for administering the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP), Kentucky Works Program (KWP), Family Alternatives Diversion (FAD) Program, and the Medicaid programs.  Applications for these programs are taken in Department for Community Based Services offices in all 120 counties. 

The division also manages the Community Services Block Grant, the Nutrition Education Program, the SNAP Nutrition Education Program, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, State Supplementation, and assists with administration of the Electronic Benefit Transfer cards, along with policy development for all division program areas.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Branch helps low-income families in Kentucky with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash benefit program.  In Kentucky, the cash assistance program is called  the Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (K-TAP).  K-TAP provides a short-term cash benefit to families with children under the age of 18, or under age 19 if a full-time secondary student.  Most adults who receive K-TAP must participate in a work activity.

For more information, contact your local Department for Community Based Services office.  Applications for assistance may be made in all 120 counties.

The Medical Support and Benefit Branch (MSBB) consists of the Medicaid Policy Section, the Case Processing Section and the Medicaid Technical Support Section.

Medicaid Policy Section

• Develops procedural instructions for the Medicaid Program
• Reviews state and federal regulations regarding Medicaid
• Serves as a clearinghouse for policy clarifications
• Provides technical assistance as requested by DCBS field staff

Case Processing Section

• Maintains working caseload of adult guardianship cases
• Determines retro medical assistance for SSI recipients
• Issues emergency medical cards for SSI recipients
• Distributes material and correspondence to DCBS field staff

Technical Section

• Issues replacement medical cards
• Issues letters confirming Medicaid eligibility
• Makes KenPAC provider changes for KenPAC physicians

MSBB is responsible for developing procedural instructions and forms for the Medicaid Program. MSBB also provides technical assistance to DCBS field staff and provides information concerning the Medicaid Program and Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) for Medicaid recipients, other agencies, the general public and community organizations.

For information, contact:  CHFS DFS Medicaid Policy
275 E. Main St., 3E-I
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-3440

The Nutrition Assistance Branch (NAB) helps low-income households end hunger and buy the food they need for a nutritionally adequate diet with benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).  The purpose of SNAP benefits is to supplement a household's food purchasing income.  If a household meets SNAP's eligibility rules, the amount of SNAP benefits that a household shall receive depends upon the number of people in the home and how much money is left after certain expenses are subtracted.

For more information on SNAP, contact your local Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) office.  Applications for assistance may be made in all 120 counties.  You may also obtain an application at SNAP Benefit Application.  You can print the application and either mail it or take it to your local DCBS office.

NAB also operates a Claims Management Section which is responsible for overseeing the recoupment of any benefits issued by one of our programs that a household was not entitled to.

The Policy Development and Oversight Branch centralizes the policy development and policy oversight functions for Family Support programs including: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), SNAP Benefits, Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and State Supplementation.  

Additionally, the branch administers the division's contracts funded through these programs and the programs' federal and state funding streams.

For information, contact: CHFS Policy Development
275 E. Main St., 3E-I
Frankfort, KY 40621
(502) 564-3440