Providing support to keep your power on
Everyone needs help from time to time. So whether you’re looking for a short-term solution for a gap in finances or for a long-term way to keep up with your utility bills, OPPD understands – and we have a range of programs to help.
Below is a list of plans and resources offered by OPPD to help with utility bills, along with information about how to access assistance. Some programs involve collaboration with other organizations. If you can’t find answers to your questions here, please call customer service at 1-877-536-4131.
For additional assistance options directly related to COVID-19, visit our Coronavirus Resources.
OPPD Energy Efficiency Assistance Program (EEAP)
We want to help you (and others in the community) find as many ways possible to bring down your monthly bills, make your family’s home more comfortable, and reduce your overall energy use. That’s why the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program is here to help you make efficient improvements to your home and connect you with knowledgeable professionals.
At no cost to you, EEAP may help:
- Reduce your monthly utility bills
- Grant up to $2,000 in energy-efficient home upgrades
- Teach valuable cost-cutting energy saving tips
- Improve your family’s comfort
How the Program Works
After you’ve applied and are accepted into the program (see Eligibility Requirements below), we provide a complimentary in-home energy assessment of your home to identify other areas for energy-efficiency upgrades. This home audit takes just 3-4 hours to complete and gives us a detailed overview of your home’s energy use. We can then determine whether your home qualifies for up to $2,000 in improvements, implemented by contractor partners like Habitat for Humanity, Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (SENCA), Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (NENCAP), and Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties (CAPLSC).
Eligibility
There are only 2 simple requirements to qualify for the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program:
1. Your household income is less than 200% of the federal poverty level
AND
2. You own a home within OPPD service territory
OR
You rent a single-family home within OPPD service territory & have written permission from the landlord/property owner
How to Apply
Simply fill out the contact form. You may also call the phone number or fill out the online application listed for your appropriate county below. We’ll take care of everything else.
If you live in Douglas County, contact:
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (HFHO)
1701 N 24th St, Omaha, NE 68110
(402) 457-5657
Weatherization@habitatomaha.org
habitatomaha.org
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha application
If you live in Saunders County, contact:
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties (CAPLSC)
210 O St, Lincoln, NE 68508
402-875-9322
bault@communityactionatwork.org
communityactionatwork.org/
If you live in Washington, Burt, Dodge, or Colfax Counties, contact:
Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (NENCAP)
Attn. WEATHERIZATION
603 Earl St, Pender, NE 68047
(402) 385-6300
pbrowning@nencap.org
nencap.org/
Northeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (NENCAP) application
If you live in Sarpy, Cass, Otoe, Johnson, Nemaha, Pawnee or Richardson Counties, contact:
Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (SENCA)
802 Fourth Street, Humboldt, NE 68376
(402) 862-2411
gchristiansen@senca.org
senca.org/
Southeast Nebraska Community Action Partnership (SENCA) application
OPPD Energy Assistance Program (EAP)
The OPPD Energy Assistance Program (EAP) provides utility bill assistance to help cover the emergency energy needs of households located within the 13-county OPPD service territory.
EAP assistance funds are distributed to eligible customers through a network of over 30 Community Base Organizations located across OPPD service territory. Applicants receive assistance based on eligibility criteria and availability of funds, with a maximum of $500 in assistance per year.
Success of the EAP depends on community partnerships, donations from generous employees and customers, and other fundraising efforts, with 100% of the contributions going to assist residential customers in need.
How to Apply:
- Apply through a partner agency.
Locate an agency on the agency finder website 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.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must an OPPD customer
- Household’s gross income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines
- Eligible customers are those who are experiencing an acute financial crisis due to a verifiable emergency (illness, death, lay-off, loss of income, etc.)
Required Documentation:
- Photo ID (i.e. state issued ID 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 OPPD bill
See how OPPD's EAP helped Judy keep the lights on for her family.
Customer Assistance Program Pilot (CAP)
The OPPD Customer Assistance Program (CAP) is a pilot program designed to provide financial assistance in the form of a monthly bill credit for households within the 13-county OPPD service area. The program will reduce a customer's electric burden to a more affordable level as long as the customer makes on-time payments.
Maximum enrollment for the CAP pilot is 3,000 customers. Once enrollment reaches that level, no more customers will be accepted into the pilot program.
How to Apply:
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicant must be an OPPD customer and current on their bill.
- Total gross (before taxes) household income must be at or below 100% of the Federal Poverty Income Guidelines. (Use the HHS Poverty Guidelines to find out if you qualify.)
- Customer must pay their bill monthly to participate in the program.
- Customer must recertify their eligibility annually.
- Any change in household size or income must be reported within 10 business days.
Required Documentation:
- Photo ID (i.e. state issued ID card, state issued driver's license, passport, etc.)
- Income verification for the last 30 days
- Copy of OPPD bill
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
LIHEAP is a federal program that makes financial assistance available to low-income households with immediate energy needs. This program helps families afford the electricity needed to stay warm during the winter, cool in summer and keep the lights on year round.
How to apply for LIHEAP
Go online to ACCESSNebraska at dhhs-access-neb-menu.ne.gov/start or call 402-595-1258 or 1-800-383-4278.
Payment Installment Program
Payment Installment Program
For those situations when you may need some extra time to catch up on your electric bill, a Payment Installment program may be able to help. Get in touch with one of our Contact Center Reps to let them know about your situation. They may suggest reaching out for Energy Assistance through one of our program partners, or offer a short-term payment plan before suggesting a Payment Installment Program.
If more than two months is needed, the Rep may be able to help you set up a Payment Installment Program. The PI program can be for a specific number of months, or a targeted monthly payment amount.
Program Details
Here’s how the OPPD Payment Installment Program works:
- Contact OPPD's Customer Service to discuss assistance options (Energy Assistance, Payment Plans or Payment Installments).
- Work with the Rep to determine the monthly payment amount and number of months to pay that fits your budget.
Example: If you owe $240 for electric service and want to pay that over 8 months, the monthly PI added to your current bill would be $30. If you can only afford $25 a month, the number of payback months would be 10, with the last month dropping to $15.
- Please make every effort to stay current with your Payment Installment plan. If you miss two payments, you may be removed from the Payment Installment Plan and unable to rejoin for six months.
How to sign up for the Payment Installment Program
If you are interested in this program, please call 402-536-4131 or toll-free 1-877-536-4131, or email customerservice@oppd.com.
Level Payment Plan
Get the convenience of knowing exactly how much your monthly electricity bill will be regardless of the weather by using the Level Payment Plan. You can enroll in this program if you are a customer with an OPPD account that is current and up-to-date with payments.
Program Details
Here’s how the OPPD Level Payment Plan works:
- OPPD projects your monthly energy use based on the last 12 months of usage at the service location you occupy.
- Using this projected usage, your monthly level payment is calculated (including tax). Example: If you spent $840 for electric service over the last 12 months, OPPD would calculate your level payment by dividing $840 by 12 to get $70. Your monthly level payment would be $70.
- Generally, your monthly level payment will be set for 120 days. After this period, your monthly level payment amount will be re-evaluated and adjusted accordingly.
- You will automatically be retained in the Level Payment Plan unless you notify OPPD otherwise.
How to sign up for the Level Payment Program
If you are interested in this program, please call 402-536-4131 or toll-free 1-877-536-4131.
Support your neighbors in need.
Give to the Energy Assistance Program.
The OPPD Energy Assistance Program (EAP) was established to help customers pay energy-related expenses when money is tight. Throughout the OPPD community, people are experiencing a gap in income and are desperate for assistance to help cover the cost of utility bills. You can make a difference by contributing to the EAP.
How can I help?
There are various ways to donate to our program. Donate now or see additional options below.
• Make a monthly pledge or one-time donation in the amount of your choice by completing the Energy Assistance Pledge form
• Call customer service at 402-536-4131 to donate by phone
• Pledge or donate on your bill statement by marking the appropriate box and adding the contribution to your payment
Thank you! Your support of the EAP is greatly appreciated.
Know someone who could use a little extra help? You can help make someone’s month a little brighter by giving the Gift of Energy. The Gift of Energy program allows anyone to make a payment towards a friend, loved one or neighbor’s OPPD account.
To give the Gift of Energy, fill out the Gift of Energy Form, or Learn more HERE.
