Kentucky will move into the next phase of COVID vaccines next week. The announcement on Monday means more Kentuckians will meet eligibility requirements for the shot, including essential workers and people over the age of 60.
Public health officials will begin vaccinating people in the 1C group on March 1. That phase currently includes anyone over the age of 60, anyone 16 or older with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highest-risk conditions, and all essential workers. You can learn more about who these categories include here. Additionally, people can learn which phase they qualify for at vaccine.ky.gov or by calling the state’s vaccine hotline (855-598-2246).
More than 300 locations across the state currently provide the vaccine, including more than 50 regional clinics. The governor warned on Monday that people in the 1C phase may find getting an appointment challenging because more than 1 million Kentuckians fall in the category. Beshear said the state encourages providers to prioritize, if possible, people in the 60 and older age group.
Monday’s COVID report continued the state’s recent trend of declining cases. Monday’s 530 new cases represents the lowest number since October 5. The report also included 13 deaths and a 6.60% positivity rate.
Eviction and Utility Relief Fund
Residents may still apply for assistance from the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund. Kentucky allocated $264 million to help people pay past-due rent and utility bills.
To qualify for the eviction fund, a person must live in Kentucky, meet income restrictions and provide documentation. Landlords must agree to forgive late fees, penalties, interest and court fees.
Utility bills covered by the fund include gas, electric, water and/or sewer. Funds can cover both utility and rent payments for past-due amounts accrued since April 1, 2020, and three months of future payments.
The state will directly pay the landlord and utility provider. People can apply at Teamkyhherf.ky.gov. Both a tenant and landlord must apply for the eviction-relief funds.
The fund does not cover Lexington or Louisville residents because those cities have their own programs at covid19renterhelp.org and stopmyeviction.org, respectively.
You can download a flyer about the program’s requirements and application process.
