Omaha OPPD and M.U.D. Bill Help 2026–27: LIHEAP, the Energy Assistance Program and the M.U.D. Home Fund
If you live in Omaha, you likely get two utility bills: one from Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) for electricity and one from Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) for natural gas and water. When either bill falls behind, help comes from three main places:
LIHEAP, the federal energy assistance program run in Nebraska by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
OPPD's Energy Assistance Program (EAP), which provides up to $500 a year toward electric bills in an emergency.
The M.U.D. Home Fund, which helps seniors, people with disabilities and limited-income customers with gas and water bills.
The 2026–27 LIHEAP program year runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027, and the heating season started October 1. This guide explains each program, who qualifies, what to bring and how to apply. It draws on OPPD, M.U.D. and Nebraska DHHS pages. Funding is limited, so apply early.
First Step: Call Your Utility
Both utilities urge struggling customers to call and talk through their options before a bill turns into a shutoff:
OPPD: 402-536-4131 in the Omaha area, or 877-536-4131 toll-free outside the metro.
M.U.D.: 402-554-6666.
Ask what payment arrangements are available and how long you have before any disconnection. Write down the date, the name of the person you spoke with and what you agreed to.
LIHEAP: Nebraska's Energy Assistance Program
M.U.D. says the first step for anyone who needs help paying utility bills is to contact the Nebraska Energy Assistance Program. LIHEAP is a federal program that pays utility providers directly on behalf of eligible households. You are still responsible for any part of the bill LIHEAP doesn't cover.
Who qualifies. OPPD's LIHEAP page says a household must have income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines and meet LIHEAP's citizenship and residency requirements. DHHS publishes the income table. Each type of help has its own extra rules.
What LIHEAP can pay for, according to DHHS:
Heating assistance, October 1 through March 31. Paid once per heating season to your utility. It lowers what you owe for home heating.
Cooling assistance, June 1 through August 31. Paid once per cooling season. It requires a household member who meets extra criteria, such as a severe illness made worse by heat (verified on form IM-55 by a health care provider).
Crisis assistance, year-round. Pays utilities in a crisis, including deposits and reconnect fees. You must be LIHEAP-eligible and have been unexpectedly unable to pay energy costs in the most recent 90 days because of an unexpected medical or household expense; a significant, permanent and involuntary loss of work hours, wages or a job; the departure of a primary wage earner; a primary wage earner unable to work because of illness or injury; or a major income loss after a household member's death.
Furnace and central air repair or replacement, up to $750. You must be eligible for heating assistance (furnace) or cooling assistance (central air), document the need, provide estimates and not have received this help in the last 60 months.
Window air conditioner purchase, for households eligible for cooling assistance with no such help in the past 60 months.
Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance (HCRRA), up to $5,000, through the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment.
Automatic payments. DHHS says it will issue automatic heating payments for eligible households when federal funds arrive, and will send a notice at that time. DHHS has not posted a payment date.
If you have a shut-off notice now, or are in danger of getting one, DHHS says to call (800) 383-4278 for help.
How to apply. Apply through DHHS online at ACCESSNebraska (dhhs-access-neb-menu.ne.gov/start), in person at a DHHS office or by phone. The Omaha number is (402) 595-1258; elsewhere in Nebraska call (800) 383-4278.
OPPD Energy Assistance Program (EAP): Up to $500 a Year
OPPD's EAP helps customers pay electric bills during an emergency. It is funded by donations from employees and customers and by fundraising, and OPPD says 100% of contributions go to residential customers in need. Help is given through a network of more than 30 community agencies in OPPD's territory, based on eligibility and available funds, with a maximum of $500 per year.
Who qualifies, per OPPD:
You must be an OPPD customer.
Total gross household income (before taxes) must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.
You must be in an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency, such as illness, death, a layoff or loss of income.
What to bring:
Photo ID (state ID card, driver's license, passport or similar).
Proof of the financial crisis caused by the emergency.
Income verification for the last 30 days.
A copy of your OPPD bill.
How to apply:
Find a partner agency with the Dollar Energy Fund Agency Finder, or call 888-650-9132 for an agency based on your ZIP code.
Or call 2-1-1 to apply by phone through United Way.
According to a January 2026 OPPD news release, the EAP distributed $355,654 to 930 households last year.
Other OPPD Programs
OPPD's assistance page lists several more options:
Customer Assistance Program (CAP). Gives a monthly bill credit to bring your bill to a level within reach. OPPD says it accepts a limited number of applicants.
Payment Installment Plan. Lets you pay a past-due amount in installments over a set period. Talk to a customer service representative to see which plan fits.
Level Payment Plan. Estimates your yearly use and charges the same amount each month, so winter bills don't spike.
Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (EEAP). Pays a contractor partner to make energy-saving upgrades to your home, which can lower future bills.
M.U.D. Home Fund: Gas and Water Help
The M.U.D. Home Fund, created in 1983, helps seniors, people with disabilities and limited-income customers facing severe financial hardship. M.U.D. says the fund has raised more than $5 million and served more than 37,000 households. Last year it distributed $281,294 to 704 households, according to OPPD and M.U.D. M.U.D. notes funds are limited and deposited monthly.
Who qualifies, per M.U.D.:
You must be an M.U.D. residential customer.
You must have proof of a past-due balance or a disconnection notice.
Households with one or more people age 60 or older whose only income is Social Security are automatically eligible.
You are automatically income-eligible if you currently receive government assistance such as SNAP, LIHEAP, ADC, Medicaid or AABD.
If you don't meet those criteria but are in an acute financial crisis, M.U.D. says to contact a partner agency to see if you qualify.
What to bring: photo ID and income verification for the last 30 days, along with your past-due bill or disconnection notice.
How to apply: through a partner agency (use the agency finder or call the 24-hour hotline at 1-888-650-9132), or call 2-1-1 to apply by phone through United Way of the Midlands.
M.U.D. also notes that some local agencies and churches have their own funding outside the Home Fund. Call 2-1-1 for referrals.
Why Funding Is Tight This Year
OPPD and M.U.D. raise money for the EAP and Home Fund each year through the Heat the Streets Run & Walk for Warmth, held in March. The money is managed by Dollar Energy Fund and split between the two programs. In early 2026, the utilities said donations were especially critical because of a decrease in federal funding for utility assistance programs. Apply as early as you can.
Which Program Should You Try First?
Behind on heat with a low income? Apply for LIHEAP through DHHS first. M.U.D. says this is the first step.
Shut-off notice? Call DHHS at (800) 383-4278 about crisis help, then call OPPD or M.U.D.
Emergency like a layoff or illness, and behind on electric? Apply for OPPD's EAP through an agency or 2-1-1.
Behind on gas or water? Apply for the M.U.D. Home Fund, especially if you're 60 or older on Social Security or already get SNAP or Medicaid.
Bills always too high? Ask OPPD about CAP and the Level Payment Plan.
Omaha Utility Help Checklist
Gather photo ID, 30 days of income proof and your latest bills.
Apply for LIHEAP: (402) 595-1258 or ACCESSNebraska online.
Call 2-1-1 or 888-650-9132 for OPPD EAP and M.U.D. Home Fund agencies.
Call OPPD (402-536-4131) or M.U.D. (402-554-6666) about payment plans.
Keep copies of everything you submit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get LIHEAP and OPPD's EAP? The programs are separate. M.U.D. even treats current LIHEAP recipients as automatically income-eligible for its Home Fund.
How much is the LIHEAP heating payment? DHHS pays it once per heating season, but its page does not list amounts for 2026–27.
Does LIHEAP pay reconnect fees? Yes. DHHS says crisis assistance can cover deposits and reconnect fees.
Comments