Department for Community Based Services

​IMPORTANT NOTICE: SNAP Benefit Update
Judge rules and a partial benefit is to be issued.
Team Kentucky filed a lawsuit that has secured a ruling that requires the federal government to fund November SNAP benefits. However, the federal government has chosen to reduce November SNAP benefits by about 50%. 

The Cabinet for Health and Family Services is working to load November available benefits to EBT cards. Because of the federal government's decisions, it will take more time than usual to load benefits on cards.

What you need to know:

  • There may be a delay in getting your November benefits on your card.
  • The amount of your November benefit will be less than usual.
  • Check your balance on your EBT card before heading to the store.
  • You can keep using any benefits already on your EBT card.
  • This issue does not affect your eligibility for SNAP.

DCBS offices are open and still taking and processing applications.

To ensure Kentuckians have access to food over the next few days, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order declaring a state of emergency and directed an initial $5 million from the budget reserve trust fund to Feeding Kentucky food banks.

You can find food assistance and other resources at kynect.ky.gov/resources.

For the latest updates, visit chfs.ky.gov/agencies/dcbs​, check your kynect.ky.gov account, or watch for official DCBS texts or emails.

If you wish to request a fair hearing regarding your SNAP case, please email Hearings.BranchFC@ky.gov.

Last Updated 11/4/2025​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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 ability 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​​