Help paying your electric bill in Nebraska
Nebraska got $35.8 million in the HHS table, about $45 for each of its 786,885 households. Income limit 150% of the poverty guideline; public line (402) 471-3121. Heating help reached 38,639 households in FY2024.
Who to call in Nebraska
- Nebraska LIHEAP public line(402) 471-3121
- State program sitedhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Energy-Assistance.aspx
- Nebraska Public Service Commission800-526-0017 · 402-471-3101 · psc.nebraska.gov (links checked 2026-10-02)
Nebraska in numbers
- Nebraska ranks 15th of 51 on FY26 LIHEAP dollars per household ($45), 34th on households below the poverty line (11.1%) and 24th on low-income energy burden (9.2%).
- Per household below the poverty line (87,271 of them) the FY26 funds come to $410, rank 14th of 51: 29% of a typical year's electricity ($1,437). (even split, not a payment amount)
- 43,349 households got help in FY2022 against 199,979 at or below 60% of state median income in the 2022 LEAD file: about 22% (mixed years).
- Average heating benefit FY2022: $467, 32% of that year.
- Heating season: October 1 - March 31. Counted FY2024: heating, cooling, weatherization.
- Neighbours: FY26 dollars per household run from $24 (Colorado) to $59 (South Dakota); low-income burden from 6.1% (Colorado) to 9.8% (Kansas). Nebraska: $45 and 9.2%.
Where Nebraska's low-income bills bite hardest
- Highest burden: Sherman County 23.5% (390 households); Custer County 21.1% (1,375 households); Greeley County 19.1% (306 households); Howard County 18.4% (691 households).
- Most low-income households: Douglas County 56,942 (7.7%); Lancaster County 32,580 (6.5%); Sarpy County 11,993 (7.1%).
73 counties.
LIHEAP in Nebraska: money, limits, people helped
| Measure | Nebraska | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Funds FY2026 | $35,774,584 = $31,321,285 + $815,806 IIJA + $3,637,493 | FY26 table |
| Income limit | 150% of poverty guideline (how limits work: see guide) | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Benefits FY2026 | Heating: $154 minimum, $1,050 maximum Cooling: $273 minimum, $700 maximum Crisis: $500 maximum | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Helped FY2024 | Heating: 38,639 Cooling: 13,464 Year-round Crisis: 2,770 Weatherization: 335 | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
| Program dates | Heating: October 1 - March 31 Cooling: June 1 - August 31 Crisis: Year-round Weatherization: Year-round | snapshot 20 Apr 2026 |
CSV
CSVAm I likely eligible in Nebraska?
Median household income in Nebraska is $74,985, 227% of the four-person guideline; check line 150% (2026 guideline).
Nebraska on the map
Shutoff rules and moratoria in Nebraska
Nebraska: cold weather by none listed; hot weather by none listed; health or age needs yes.
| Protection | Nebraska |
|---|---|
| Health or age needs | "Sick or disabled customers may get a one-time 30-day extension with a doctor's note." |
| Also listed | "All households get a 30-day extension of shutoff in winter beyond normal shutoff time period." |
Clearinghouse, April 2026; cites Nebraska Cold Weather Rule.
Rule text read, 2 October 2026: Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-1601 to 70-1613 (esp. 70-1605, 70-1606, 70-1608 to 70-1612). Nebraska has no season or temperature shutoff ban in the statutes read. Utilities must give notice at least 7 days (excluding weekends and holidays) before cutting a household, offer an installment plan and an internal conference and appeal, and postpone at least 30 days on a medical certificate. Quote: “Service shall not be discontinued for at least seven days after notice is sent or given.”. Source: text of the rule (Wayback of state official (nebraskalegislature.gov statute pages)).
| Point | Nebraska: Neb. Rev. Stat. 70-1601 to 70-1613 (esp. 70-1605, 70-1606, 70-1608 to 70-1612) |
|---|---|
| Who is protected | 70-1606(1)(g): disconnection is postponed or prevented on a physician, PA or APRN certificate of an existing illness or handicap causing an immediate serious health hazard; filed within 5 days (excluding holidays and weekends) of the notice; prevents disconnection at least 30 days; one postponement per incidence of nonpayment. Notice must also mention possible welfare assistance (j). |
| Notice | 70-1605: notice in person, by first-class mail or (if elected) electronic delivery, conspicuously marked; no discontinuance for at least 7 days after notice is sent or given, weekends and holidays excluded. Village utilities: written mailed notice 7 days before (70-1603). Contents listed in 70-1606. |
| Payment plan | 70-1606(1)(i): notice must state that the subscriber may arrange an installment payment plan with the utility; no stated plan terms. |
| Who the rule covers | 70-1605: public or private utilities furnishing water, natural gas or electricity at retail, other than a village-owned municipal utility; village-owned utilities have lighter rules in 70-1603 and 70-1604. "Domestic subscriber" excludes businesses and governments (70-1602). Statute, not a PSC rule; PSC role for electric not found. |
| Complaints | Utility-run process: conference on request within 14 days (70-1608, 70-1610), no disconnection pending it (70-1609), then appeal to utility management or board (70-1612). PSC (psc.nebraska.gov consumer page, read) lists 800.526.0017 and 402.471.3101; whether PSC takes electric complaints not found. |
Not found in the text we read: winter / cold, heat; verify with the commission. Only 70-1601 to 70-1613 read; individual public power district/co-op/municipal policies and any PSC rule not read; Clearinghouse "30-day winter extension" (gas cold weather rule) not found in these sections.
Paraphrase, not legal advice. Rules change; see the shutoff rules guide.
How heavy is the energy bill in Nebraska?
9.2% of income in low-income households, 2.7% overall. Ranking, Nebraska prices.
| Group | Count | Nebraska detail | Standing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 60% of median income | 199,979 households | 9.2% of income; $1,971 a year on $21,428 | rank 24 of 51 |
| All households | 776,379 households | 2.7%; $2,401 on $90,095 | rank 21 of 51 |
| Below poverty line | 87,271 households | 11.1% of 786,885 | U.S. 12.5%; rank 34 of 51 |
| Home price 2025 | 12.34 ¢/kWh | bill $120 a month at 971 kWh | U.S. 17.30 ¢, $152 |
CSV
CSVUtility and state bill programs in Nebraska
None listed for Nebraska in the snapshot of 20 Apr 2026; ask the utility.
Next to Nebraska
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming. Most FY26 funds per household: South Dakota, $59. Nebraska: $45. All 51.
5 steps if you get a shutoff notice in Nebraska
- Note the notice date.
- Call the utility (Nebraska Public Service Commission sets rules).
- Call (402) 471-3121 or 211.
- Ask about none listed-based or health protection.
- Unresolved: Nebraska Public Service Commission, 800-526-0017.
Sources
Linked above; list on the hub.
Last verified: 2 October 2026. Not legal advice.
Questions
How much LIHEAP money does Nebraska get?
$35.8 million in FY2026, $45 per household, rank 15 of 51.
What income limit does Nebraska use for LIHEAP?
$40,980 for three people at 150% of the guideline; median household income $74,985; FY2022 heating standard 157% for four.
How do I apply for LIHEAP in Nebraska?
Call (402) 471-3121. Site: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Energy-Assistance.aspx
Can Nebraska utilities cut power in winter or summer?
none listed for cold; none listed for heat.
How big is the energy burden in Nebraska?
9.2% of income for low-income households, 2.7% for all; $1,971 a year for the first group.
How many Nebraska households got energy help?
43,349 in FY2022, 38,639 heating in FY2024, average heating benefit $467.
Is LIHEAP money enough for a Nebraska bill?
$410 per poor household, 29% of $1,437.