Department for Community Based Services

​​​​IMPORTANT NOTICE: SNAP Benefit Update
Federal Government Reopens and Full November SNAP Benefits to Be Issued
Good news for Kentucky families!
The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS) is now working to issue​ full November benefits to EBT cards.

What You Need to Know:
  • If you already received a reduced amount for November, you will get the rest of your benefits added to your EBT card on or about November 15.
  • If you have not yet received your November benefit, you will get a partial payment on or about November 15 and the remaining amount on your regular issuance date.
  • Check your EBT card balance before shopping to make sure your benefits are available.
  • ​DCBS offices are open and continue to take and process applications. We are here to help if you have questions.
To make sure Kentuckians have access to food right away, Governor Beshear declared a state of emergency and directed $5 million from the state budget reserve trust fund to Feeding Kentucky food banks.

You can find local food help and other community resources at Kentucky Community Resources | kynect.​

​For the latest updates:
If you wish to request a fair hearing about your SNAP case, please email Hearings.BranchFC@ky.gov.

Last Updated 11/13/2025​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​DCBS Facebook Page
DCBS Youtube Page​

Report Child Abuse/Neglect
​To report child abuse and neglect call toll-free any of the numbers listed below.
(877) 597-2331/(877) KYSAFE1 
(800) 752-6200
Report Online - non-emergency only
Monitored from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday.  Reports will not be reviewed during evenings, weekends or state holidays. 
Call 911 in case of an emergency
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​DCBS services are administered through nine service regions and offices serving all 120 Kentucky counties. In addition, DC​​​​​BS uses a network of contract officials to deliver services, such as child care. Service is enhanced through a close relationship and coordination with community partners.

The department provides family support; child care; child and adult protection; eligibility determinations for Medicaid and food benefits; and administration of an energy cost-assistance program.

The department administers the state foster care and adoption systems and recruits and trains parents to care for the state's children who are waiting for a permanent home.

With offices in every county, the department provides services and programs to enhance the self-sufficiency of families; improve safety and permanency for children and vulnerable adults; and engage families and community partners in a collaborative decision-making process.

The department was formed in the Cabinet for Families and Children in 1998 to give local offices more decision-making authority and the abilit​y to collaborate more effectively with other community service providers.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

​​​Mission

The mission of the Department for Community Based Services is to build an effective and efficient system of care with Kentucky citizens and communities to:

  • Reduce poverty, adult and child maltreatment and their effects; ​
  • Advance person and family self-sufficiency, recovery and resiliency;
  • Assure all children have safe and nurturing homes and communities; and
  • Recruit and retain a workforce and partners that operate with integrity and transparency.

​Our Vision

A human services system of care that operates with integrity and loyalty to a code of ethics requires courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable.

The Department for Community Based Services is an innovative, solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and with accountability for results. Both in the organization and among our partners, we thrive on a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication.

Highly performing and committed, we are unified in our goal of excellence in achieving outcomes for those we serve with the level of quality we would demand for our own families.

Administrative Regulation Notice

Administrative Regulations Notice - October 2025​​

DCBS Jobs

The Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) has multiple job openings in its offices across the state so you can be a part of our agency's transformation and our work to make a difference for all Kentuckians.​

Learn more about jobs at DCBS​​