Updated Aug. 22, 2026.
By Hola Nebraska
Summer cooling assistance can reduce utility costs for eligible households. Separate benefits may also help purchase a window unit or repair a central air-conditioning system.
LINCOLN, NE — Nebraska’s summer LIHEAP cooling assistance remains available through Aug. 31 for eligible households facing home energy costs.
Nebraska DHHS makes one payment per cooling season directly to a household’s utility provider. The payment reduces the cost of residential cooling, although the household remains responsible for any portion that the benefit does not cover.
Household income must generally remain at or below 150% of the federal poverty level. In addition, at least one person in the home must meet one of the state’s summer eligibility conditions.
Other LIHEAP services may help eligible households purchase a window air conditioner or repair a central system. A separate program administered through Nebraska’s Department of Water, Energy, and Environment can provide up to $5,000 for qualifying heating or cooling work.
Nebraska summer energy assistance
- Cooling season: June 1 through Aug. 31, 2026.
- General income limit: At or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
- Cooling payment: One payment per season directly to the utility provider.
- Central air repair or replacement: Up to $750 through Nebraska DHHS.
- Separate HCRRA assistance: Up to $5,000 through Nebraska DWEE.
- ACCESSNebraska: 402-595-1258 in Omaha, 402-323-3900 in Lincoln or 800-383-4278 elsewhere.
Related coverage: Nebraska still has two regular Summer EBT mailings of $120 per eligible child scheduled for Aug. 27 and Sept. 10.
Summer cooling assistance has an additional household requirement
A household must meet the general LIHEAP rules before qualifying for summer cooling assistance. Those rules include responsibility for home energy costs and income at or below the program limit.
At least one member of the household must also fall into one of these categories:
- A child younger than 6 who receives Aid to Dependent Children, or ADC.
- A person age 70 or older.
- A person with a severe illness or condition that becomes worse during extreme heat.
- A person who received an air conditioner from DHHS within four years of the application date.
When eligibility involves a medical condition aggravated by extreme heat, a licensed health care provider must verify the condition with Form IM-55. DHHS provides that form upon request.
The cooling payment goes directly to the utility company. It does not eliminate any remaining balance that exceeds the benefit.
Income limits range from $23,475 to $81,225
Nebraska uses gross household income when determining general LIHEAP eligibility. The limits remain in effect from Oct. 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026.
| Household size | Maximum annual gross income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,475 |
| 2 people | $31,725 |
| 3 people | $39,975 |
| 4 people | $48,225 |
| 5 people | $56,475 |
| 6 people | $64,725 |
| 7 people | $72,975 |
| 8 people | $81,225 |
The annual limit increases by $8,250 for each additional household member.
Meeting the income limit does not guarantee every type of assistance. Cooling payments, air-conditioner purchases and repair programs have additional requirements.
DHHS can help with window units and central air repairs
Households eligible for summer cooling assistance may also qualify for help purchasing a window air-conditioning unit.
DHHS may request estimates for the purchase. The household cannot have received assistance to buy another window unit during the previous 60 months.
The state does not publish a standard maximum benefit for window-unit purchases. Therefore, the available amount can depend on the application and documentation reviewed by DHHS.
A separate DHHS benefit can provide up to $750 to repair or replace a central air-conditioning system.
That assistance requires documentation showing that the work is necessary. DHHS may also request cost estimates. A household cannot have received similar repair or replacement assistance for a furnace or air conditioner during the previous 60 months.
HCRRA can provide up to $5,000 through another state agency
The Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance program can provide up to $5,000 toward the repair, purchase and installation of a qualifying heating or cooling system.
Nebraska’s Department of Water, Energy, and Environment administers HCRRA. Its application and eligibility process is separate from the cooling payment and the $750 benefit administered directly by DHHS.
Information about weatherization and HCRRA is available from Nebraska DWEE at 402-471-2186.
LIHEAP requests are available online, by phone and in person
A household with an active or pending Economic Assistance case can request LIHEAP without submitting another complete application.
A household without an active or pending case must submit an approved LIHEAP application. Online applications are available through Nebraska iServe.
Requests are also available at DHHS offices or through ACCESSNebraska:
- Omaha: 402-595-1258.
- Lincoln: 402-323-3900.
- Other Nebraska communities: 800-383-4278.
The current income limits and service requirements remain available through the Nebraska DHHS energy-assistance program.
Crisis utility assistance remains available throughout the year
The summer cooling period ends Aug. 31. However, Nebraska provides Crisis Assistance throughout the year for eligible households facing certain financial emergencies.
The program can cover utility deposits and reconnection fees when an eligible household experienced an unexpected inability to pay its energy costs during the previous 90 days.
Qualifying circumstances can include unexpected medical or household expenses, an involuntary loss of work or income, an illness that prevents a primary wage earner from working, or the death or departure of a primary wage earner.
Nebraska’s 2026 summer LIHEAP cooling period ends Aug. 31. ACCESSNebraska can be reached at 402-595-1258 in Omaha, 402-323-3900 in Lincoln and 800-383-4278 elsewhere in the state.
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