Nebraska LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, helps income-qualified households pay their heating and cooling bills by sending money directly to their utility company. The program is run by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with federal funds. If your household income is at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, you can apply during the fall and winter heating season, the summer cooling season, or year-round if you are in a utility crisis.1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
Income Limits for the 2026 Program Year
For the program year running October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026, your household’s gross annual income must be at or below:2Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program Guidance Document 2026
- 1 person: $23,475 (about $1,956 per month)
- 2 people: $31,725 (about $2,644 per month)
- 3 people: $39,975 (about $3,331 per month)
- 4 people: $48,225 (about $4,019 per month)
Add $8,250 for each additional person beyond four. Everyone living in your home counts toward household size, whether or not they help pay the bills.1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance Leaving a household member off the application can lead to denial or a repayment demand later.
You must also be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. Nebraska does not use an asset test, so savings, a car, or other property will not disqualify you.3LIHEAP Clearinghouse. LIHEAP Eligibility Assistance – Assets Test for States and Territories DHHS gives priority to households that include someone age 60 or older, a person with a disability, or a child age six or younger.1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
When You Can Apply
Nebraska LIHEAP runs on fixed seasonal windows. Miss the window and you wait for the next cycle:1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
- Heating assistance: October 1 through March 31
- Cooling assistance: June 1 through August 31
- Crisis assistance: year-round
Apply early in each season. LIHEAP is not an entitlement, and once Nebraska’s federal allocation is spent, applications stop being funded for that cycle.
How to Apply
There are three ways to submit an application:1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
- Online through the iServe Nebraska portal at iserve.nebraska.gov, where you can upload your documents
- In person at your local DHHS office
- By phone through ACCESSNebraska at 1-800-383-42784LIHEAP Clearinghouse. Nebraska
The online portal is the fastest option. Before you start, gather:1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
- Social Security numbers for every person in the household
- Proof of income for all household members covering the 30 days before you sign the application (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, unemployment statements)
- Your most recent heating or cooling bill showing a household member’s name and the service address
- Your utility account number and the name of your energy provider
DHHS will send a written notice telling you whether you were approved or denied.
What You Can Get
Heating and Cooling Payments
Heating benefits for fiscal year 2026 range from $154 to $1,050; cooling benefits range from $273 to $700. The amount depends on your household size, income, and energy costs. Payment goes directly to your utility company, not to you.5LIHEAP Clearinghouse. LIHEAP Benefit Levels for Heating, Cooling, and Crisis1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
Crisis Assistance
Crisis help is available year-round if your service is about to be shut off, has already been disconnected, or you have run out of heating fuel. It can cover reconnection fees and deposits along with the bill. To qualify, you must be LIHEAP-eligible and have had an unexpected financial shock within the past 90 days, such as:1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance
- An unanticipated medical or household expense
- A significant, involuntary loss of work hours or employment
- The departure of a primary wage earner
- Illness or injury preventing a primary wage earner from working
- Significant income loss due to the death of a household member
Bills that have simply grown over time without a specific triggering event may not meet the crisis standard.
Furnace or Air Conditioner Repair
DHHS provides up to $750 toward repairing or replacing a broken furnace or central air conditioner. You must already be eligible for LIHEAP heating assistance (for a furnace) or cooling assistance (for an AC), document the need, and submit cost estimates when asked. You can only receive this help once every 60 months.1Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Energy Assistance For larger repairs, a separate program through the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment offers up to $5,000 and coordinates home weatherization; reach them at (402) 471-2186 or dwee.nebraska.gov.
If You Are Denied
Your denial notice will state the reason. The most common ones are income over the limit, missing documents, and applying outside the seasonal window. If the problem is a missing pay stub or utility bill, resubmitting it often resolves things without a formal appeal. The notice includes instructions for requesting reconsideration if you believe the decision was wrong. If anything is unclear, call ACCESSNebraska at 1-800-383-4278.4LIHEAP Clearinghouse. Nebraska