Some of the largest bills people face each month are their utility bills. We all need electricity, water and heat! But sometimes, especially in the winter, these bills can be budget breakers. Low income people who have trouble making their utility payments can get help!
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has an energy assistance program called LIHEAP, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. Until March 31 eligible Nebraskans can receive heating assistance through one-time direct payments to utility providers.
LIHEAP is designed to help households that pay a high portion of household income for home energy to meet their energy needs. The LIHEAP Program provides heating assistance, cooling assistance, year-round crisis assistance, emergency furnace repair and replacement, fan program, and weatherization services for eligible Nebraska households. LIHEAP in Nebraska is solely funded through a federal grant.
If you participated in LIHEAP services in the past, you should have received a notification last fall to verify whether you were still eligible. If you are new to this service, go to ACCESSNebraska.ne.gov to apply. You can call ACCESSNebraska at 1-800-383-4278 or visit the local office at 411 Black Hills. There are no penalties for applying if you are denied.
The next place to contact is the local office of Northwest Community Action Partnership (NCAP). NCAP has offices in Chadron, Rushville, and Alliance. For emergency assistance in Box Butte County, phone 308-762-4960 and leave a voice mail. Realize there may be a backlog of clients, and it does take several days to process an application.
To receive assistance, a person would have to complete an application and verify their income. NCAP can then provide vouchers from the City of Alliance Neighbors Helping Neighbors utility assistance fund or from the Salvation Army and HeatShare for Black Hills Energy bills.
The City of Alliance established Neighbors Helping Neighbors to provide assistance to residents with delinquent bills, subject to disconnect. City utility customers can contribute to the program with donations or voluntary bill round-up. The funds are administered by NCAP.
Black Hills Energy works with NCAP and the Salvation Army to provide emergency heating assistance to those unable to pay their company’s natural gas bill through a program called HeatShare. HeatShare is funded by the charitable giving arm of Black Hills Energy, its employees, and their customers. Vouchers are based on household income and can be used to help pay Black Hills Energy utility bills if the client faces a disconnect or needs help to repair or replace a gas furnace, while staying under the limit of $750 a year.
Finally, the Alliance Christian Ministerial Association is able to provide $75 in assistance once every six months for utilities. The Hemingford Ministerial Association will pay a utility bill once a year as a last resort.
Isn’t it great to live in an area that can provide so much assistance to those in need! If you need help with your bills, be sure to reach out to these agencies. If you have been blessed this year, please consider making a donation to Neighbors Helping Neighbors, the Salvation Army, United Way, or any organization that provides assistance during these difficult times.