If you need help paying your utility bills, the first step is to contact the Nebraska Energy Assistance Program.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that makes financial assistance available to low-income households with immediate utility needs. More information is available here.
How to Apply for LIHEAP
Visit the ACCESSNebraska website at dhhs-access-neb-menu.ne.gov/start or call 402.595.1258 (Omaha area) or 1.800.383.4278 (Outside Omaha).
M.U.D. Home Fund
The M.U.D. Home Fund, established in 1983, provides utility assistance to seniors, people with disabilities and limited-income customers suffering severe financial hardships.
The continued success of the fund depends on donations from generous employees, kind-hearted people in the community and fundraising events, with 100% of contributions going to assist customers in need. *** Funds are limited and deposited on a monthly basis. To donate, see options below.
How to Apply:
- Apply through a partner agency. Locate an agency on the agency finder website at https://www.hardshiptools.org/AgencyFinder.aspx or call the 24-hour Agency Finder hotline, 1.888.650.9132 (automated system based on zip code provided).
- Apply by phone. Call 2-1-1 to apply for funding over the phone through United Way of the Midlands.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be an M.U.D. residential customer.
- Applicant must have verification of a past-due balance or disconnection notice.
- Be experiencing an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency (illness, death, layoff, etc.) and have exhausted alternative resources, and have an income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level.
- Households containing one or more individuals who are 60+ and the only source of income is social security are automatically eligible.
- Applicants are automatically income-eligible if they currently receive government assistance (ie. SNAP, LIHEAP, ADC, Medicaid, AABD).
If you do not meet any of the eligibility requirements in this section and are experiencing an acute financial crisis, please reach out to a partnering agency to determine eligibility.
Required Documentation:
- Photo I.D. (i.e. state-issued I.D. card, state-issued driver’s license, passport, etc.)
- Demonstration of financial crisis due to verifiable emergency
- Income verification for the last 30 days
- Copy of M.U.D. bill
Other Programs
Some local agencies and churches have funding sources outside of the M.U.D. Home Fund. Call 2-1-1 for referrals and more information.
Emergency Rent/Utility Assistance Program
For residents in Douglas County, but outside Omaha city limits, visit COPE. Or, call 1.402.616.2330.
For residents outside of Douglas County, visit the Nebraska ERAP page. This program is for rent assistance only. For help completing the application, please call 1.844.429.6575 or contact a Community Collaborative near you. For more information, see the brochure below.
Make a donation today!
We’ve made it easy for you to give, and 100% of your donation goes directly to helping customers in need.
- Give online. To make an online, one-time donation, visit this link: Donate Now
- Mail your donation to:
Metropolitan Utilities District
Attn: Home Fund
7350 World Communications Dr.
Omaha, NE 68122-4041
- Sign up on your bill statement. Write an amount on the front of your monthly bill to begin a monthly pledge. New Round-Up Option: If you would like to round up your bill every month, write “Round Up” in the “Other” line.