The heating-assistance season runs through March 31, 2027. A four-person household may qualify with up to $49,500 in annual gross income, while automatic payments depend on federal funding.
Published Aug. 22, 2026. Updated Oct. 19, 2026.
By Hola Nebraska
LINCOLN, Nebraska — Nebraska’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is accepting requests for the 2026–27 heating season, with new income limits for households seeking help with winter utility bills. The program runs from Oct. 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027.
A household of four may meet the program’s income requirement with up to $49,500 in annual gross income. Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) uses a limit of 150% of the federal poverty level, with different amounts depending on household size.
LIHEAP provides one heating-assistance payment per season directly to the household’s utility provider. The benefit reduces the heating bill but does not necessarily pay the entire balance.
DHHS has also advised that automatic heating payments for eligible households will be issued when federal LIHEAP funds are received. The agency says eligible households will receive a notice when payments are processed. It has not specified a payment date in its current program notice.
Households that have received a heating shut-off notice, or are in danger of receiving one, can contact ACCESSNebraska at 800-383-4278 to ask about available assistance.
Nebraska LIHEAP income limits for 2026–27
Nebraska’s new LIHEAP income limits are effective from Oct. 1, 2026, through Sept. 30, 2027. These annual amounts represent 150% of the federal poverty level and are based on the number of people in the household.
| Household size | Maximum annual gross income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,940 |
| 2 people | $32,460 |
| 3 people | $40,980 |
| 4 people | $49,500 |
| 5 people | $58,020 |
| 6 people | $66,540 |
| 7 people | $75,060 |
| 8 people | $83,580 |
For households with more than eight members, the annual income limit increases by $8,520 for each additional person.
The amounts are eligibility thresholds, not heating-payment amounts. Meeting the income requirement alone does not guarantee approval or a specific benefit. The complete Nebraska LIHEAP income limits and program requirements are maintained by DHHS.
LIHEAP eligibility also depends on residency and home-energy costs
To qualify for LIHEAP through Nebraska DHHS, a household generally must:
- Have income at or below 150% of the federal poverty level.
- Meet the program’s citizenship and residency requirements.
- Be responsible for residential home-energy utility costs.
- Meet other applicable eligibility rules without being disqualified.
Different types of LIHEAP assistance have additional requirements. Eligibility for heating assistance, for example, does not automatically establish eligibility for equipment repairs or other services.
DHHS makes one regular heating payment per eligible household per heating season. The utility provider receives the payment, and the household remains responsible for charges that exceed the benefit.
Applications are available through iServe Nebraska and ACCESSNebraska
Applications and LIHEAP requests are available through iServe Nebraska, at DHHS offices or by calling ACCESSNebraska.
Households with an active or pending Economic Assistance case may request LIHEAP without submitting a new Economic Assistance application. Those without an active or pending case must submit a LIHEAP application for an eligibility determination.
ACCESSNebraska phone numbers are:
- Omaha: 402-595-1258.
- Lincoln: 402-323-3900.
- Other Nebraska communities: 800-383-4278.
- Households facing a heating shut-off: 800-383-4278.
The income limits and eligibility requirements apply statewide, including Omaha, Lincoln, Grand Island, South Sioux City, Lexington and other Nebraska communities.
Related: How to apply for SNAP in Nebraska and what records DHHS may request.
Automatic heating payments are pending federal funding
Nebraska DHHS plans to issue automatic heating payments on behalf of eligible households after federal LIHEAP funding is received.
The agency says it will notify eligible households when those payments have been processed. The notice does not establish that payments have already reached utility providers or that every eligible household has received assistance.
Households facing a possible loss of heating service do not have to wait for a general payment announcement to contact ACCESSNebraska. The state directs households with an existing or potential shut-off notice to 800-383-4278.
Crisis Assistance can help with shut-offs and reconnection costs
LIHEAP’s Crisis Assistance program operates year-round for qualifying households experiencing certain home-energy emergencies.
The benefit can help with utility deposits and reconnection fees. A household must meet LIHEAP eligibility requirements, face a qualifying crisis and have experienced an unexpected inability to pay home-energy costs within the previous 90 days.
Examples of qualifying circumstances include:
- Unexpected medical or household expenses.
- A significant, permanent and involuntary reduction in employment, work hours or wages.
- The departure of a primary wage earner.
- An illness or injury that prevents a primary wage earner from working.
- A significant loss of income following the death of a household member.
Each crisis request is subject to the state’s eligibility requirements. The assistance is separate from the regular seasonal heating payment.
Eligible households may receive up to $750 for furnace repairs
Nebraska DHHS also offers up to $750 for qualifying furnace repair or replacement costs.
To qualify, a household must be eligible for LIHEAP heating assistance and provide documentation showing that the work is necessary. DHHS may request cost estimates.
The household must not have received DHHS furnace or central air repair or replacement assistance during the previous 60 months.
A separate Nebraska program offers up to $5,000 for heating systems
The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) administers Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance, known as HCRRA.
That program can provide up to $5,000 toward the repair, purchase or installation of a qualifying heating or cooling system. Its eligibility requirements and application process are separate from DHHS’s regular heating payment and $750 repair benefit.
DWEE also administers weatherization services intended to improve home energy efficiency.
Information about HCRRA and weatherization is available through Nebraska DWEE at 402-471-2186.
Heating assistance remains available through March 31, 2027
Nebraska’s summer cooling-assistance season ended Aug. 31, 2026. The current seasonal LIHEAP benefit is for heating, while Crisis Assistance and qualifying equipment-repair programs operate under separate rules.
The 2026–27 heating season ends March 31, 2027. LIHEAP requests are available through iServe, DHHS offices and ACCESSNebraska. Households facing a heating shut-off can call 800-383-4278.
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