While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides assistance for energy costs to low-income households. LIHEAP is a federal program that is administered by individual states, territories, and tribes. In Nebraska, LIHEAP is administered by the Department of Health and Human Services.
Learn more about LIHEAP by reviewing the federal program fact sheet here.
For more information about LIHEAP in Nebraska, click here.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services oversees LIHEAP benefits and provides financial assistance for heating and cooling expenses to qualified households. Financial assistance can include payment for:
For more information about LIHEAP’s heating and cooling assistance initiative in Nebraska, see the Nebraska state 2022 LIHEAP Detailed Model Plan here.
LIHEAP Crisis Assistance, like standard LIHEAP benefits, is a cash grant provided to the utility companies of eligible individuals in certain situations.
If your household meets all the eligibility requirements above and has an energy-related crisis, you may qualify for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance.
The state of Nebraska defines a “crisis situation” as one where a household:
For qualifying households, the maximum annual benefit amount for LIHEAP Crisis Assistance is a one-time payment of $500.
Learn more about Crisis Assistance on page 12 of the Detailed Model Plan here.
To determine the amount of energy assistance for which you are eligible, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will consider:
Also, whether you are eligible for regular LIHEAP payments or Crisis Assistance payments will influence your maximum benefit amount.
As of 2022, the maximum annual benefit amount in Nebraska is $1,050 for heating and $700 for cooling and the minimum annual benefit amount is $154 for heating and $273 for cooling.
To qualify for LIHEAP in Nebraska, you must meet the following requirements:
Learn more about the LIHEAP financial eligibility requirements in Nebraska here.
If you or a member of your family participates in the benefit programs below, then you may automatically be eligible for LIHEAP based on your income:
Eligible households can only apply for LIHEAP heating assistance from October 1st until March 31st each year. Households may only apply for LIHEAP cooling assistance from June 1st until August 31st each year. LIHEAP applications cannot be submitted year-round.
To apply for LIHEAP in Nebraska, complete the following three steps:
Learn what documents and information you need to complete the process on page 2 of the Application for Benefits, EA-117, which you can download here.
To apply for LIHEAP online, complete the online application through ACCESSNebraska here.
To apply for LIHEAP by phone, call ACCESSNebraska at 1 (800) 383-4278.
To apply for LIHEAP by mail, complete the Application for Benefits, EA-117, which you can download here. Send your application and verification documents to:
DHHS ANDI Center
Economic Assistance
PO Box 2992
Omaha, NE 68103-2992
To apply for LIHEAP by fax, complete the Application for Benefits and send your application and verification documents to (402) 742-2351.
To apply for LIHEAP in person, visit your nearest Public Assistance Office. Find the Public Assistance Office nearest to you here.
Note that applications for Crisis Assistance, for households that meet the state definition of a crisis, can be submitted year-round.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, call the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at (402) 471-3121.
When applying for Nebraska LIHEAP benefits, you will need to provide:
The state will need the following documents and information to confirm your eligibility for LIHEAP benefits:
Learn more about the documentation needed during the LIHEAP application process on page 2 of the Application for Benefits, EA-117, which you can download here.
You can call the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services at (402) 471-3121 to check the status of your application.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services will notify you within 30 days of receiving your application if you are approved to receive benefits. All LIHEAP payments are made to the heating or energy provider directly. Benefit payments will not be sent to you.
If you are denied Nebraska LIHEAP benefits, you may request a hearing to appeal the decision by writing a statement to the Department of Health and Human Services within 90 days of when you received the denial.
You can submit your written appeal request by mail, by fax, or in person.
To file an appeal by mail, send your written request to:
DHHS ANDI Center
Economic Assistance
PO Box 2992
Omaha, NE 68103-2992
To file for an appeal by fax, send your written request to (402) 742-2351.
To file an appeal in person, visit your nearest Public Assistance Office. Find the Public Assistance Office nearest to you here.
Once the Department of Health and Human Services receives the appeal, they will set up a hearing and notify you of the date, time and location.
If you have questions about the appeal process, contact the Department of Health and Welfare at (402) 471-3121.
If you have questions about LIHEAP benefits in Nebraska or require further assistance, contact the Department of Health and Welfare at 1 (402) 471-3121
You can also visit your local Public Assistance Office. Find your nearest office and contact information here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and compiled a guide that we believe is simple to use and easy to understand. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing detailed information on the process.
Our free LIHEAP Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply for LIHEAP, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view our free guide here.
Last Updated: February 2, 2024