Help paying utility bills in Nebraska

Who oversees Nebraska electric, gas and water service

Nebraska's utility setup is unusual. Electric service comes from public power districts, city or village systems and cooperatives, and the Nebraska Power Review Board says it has no authority over late payments, overdue accounts, disconnection procedures, late charges or reconnection fees. Instead, it points customers to the elected officials who run their supplier: the public power district board, the city council or village board, or the cooperative's board of directors. The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) regulates two natural gas utilities, Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy. Some towns run their own gas systems, and water is often run by local governments with their own rules. Start every problem with a call to the provider itself.

The PSC Cold Weather Rule for natural gas

From November 1 through March 31, the PSC's Cold Weather Rule applies to Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy natural gas customers. During that window, those utilities cannot shut off service without allowing an extra 30 days to pay beyond the normal bill due date. That grace period is a chance to apply for assistance and set up a payment arrangement, not a reason to wait. The PSC encourages anyone expecting trouble to contact the utility early about payment plans or assistance options. City-owned gas utilities are not required to follow the rule, so if your gas comes from a municipal system, ask the city utility office what winter protections it offers and get the answer in writing.

Medical certificates under Nebraska law

Nebraska Revised Statute 70-1606 spells out what a disconnection notice must say, and one item is a medical safeguard. A utility will postpone or prevent a shutoff if you present a certificate from a licensed physician, physician assistant or advanced practice registered nurse stating that you or someone in your home has an existing illness or handicap that would create an immediate and serious health hazard without service. File it with the utility within five days of receiving the notice, not counting weekends and holidays. The certificate blocks disconnection for at least 30 days from filing, and the utility only has to grant one postponement for each instance of nonpayment. Use those 30 days to apply for crisis help.

LIHEAP heating, cooling and crisis help from DHHS

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Heating help covers October 1 through March 31 and is paid once per season to the provider. Cooling help runs June 1 through August 31 for households with a qualifying member, such as a person 70 or older, a child under 6 receiving Aid to Dependent Children, or someone with a heat-aggravated condition. Crisis help is available all year for emergencies, including deposits and reconnect fees. Income must be at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Apply online through iServe Nebraska, at a DHHS office or by phone through ACCESSNebraska, and mention any shutoff notice right away.

Furnace, air conditioner and weatherization help

LIHEAP in Nebraska also covers furnace and central air conditioner repair or replacement up to $750, and it can help buy a window air conditioner, as long as you have not had similar help in the previous 60 months. Larger jobs go through the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE), which runs weatherization and Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance (HCRRA) with repair or installation up to $5,000. Those programs have their own requirements, so contact DWEE directly. The PSC also names Salvation Army HeatShare as a source of winter help. In the Omaha area, the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) lists its own Energy Assistance Program, Customer Assistance Program and payment installment plans.

Taking a concern to a public power board

Because public power districts answer to elected boards, complaints about electric service follow a different path in Nebraska. If a district, city or co-op will not work with you on a shutoff, ask the customer service manager for a supervisor review and request the utility's written termination information. Under state law, utilities other than village-owned systems must post key termination details on their websites and mail them on request. If that fails, contact the members of your public power district board, your city council or village board, or your cooperative's board. For Black Hills Energy or NorthWestern Energy gas service, contact the PSC instead. Bring dates, notices and payment records to every conversation.

Settlemont as one piece of a Nebraska plan

Settlemont can help when a Nebraska household has a specific electric, gas or water balance it cannot cover. You submit the bill privately under the Utility category with six details, receive a one-time access code and then identify the biller in a separate step. Staff confirm the biller, the bill owner and the current balance, and each submission is screened for duplicates and fraud signals before approval. A supporter who chooses the bill leaves an email, and Settlemont confirms the current balance before contacting that person to complete the support, which goes directly to the utility. Bill owners pay nothing. Keep your LIHEAP or crisis application moving, since a posted bill may not be paid before its due date.

Sources

• Nebraska DHHS: Low Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP)
• Nebraska Legislature: Revised Statute 70-1606
• Nebraska Public Service Commission: Annual Cold Weather Rule begins Nov. 1
• Nebraska Power Review Board: Complaints
• OPPD: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Facts checked November 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the agency or utility before relying on a protection.

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