General

Additional money available to customers for utility assistance

Omaha Public Power District customers in the county who are struggling to pay their bills due to the pandemic may now apply for additional assistance. Douglas County leaders set aside the assistance funding to help those facing financial hardship due to COVID-19. It is now called the Douglas County COVID-19 Utility Assistance Program.

In January, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted to allocate $2 million in funding to aid Douglas County residents who continue to financially struggle due to fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. OPPD and Metropolitan Utility District (M.U.D.) each received $1 million in assistance for their respective customers.

Customers may be eligible to receive a $500 credit towards bills for each utility (or $1,000 total). To qualify, they will need to complete separate application forms. The guidelines have changed from the previous CARES Act program, making more customers eligible. Customers are encouraged to research the new guidelines even if they did or did not previously receive assistance.

Online process available

OPPD’s assistance funding now has an online tool that gives customers the option to directly apply for assistance as well as an option to work with a local assistance agency.

Customers seeking assistance have several options to apply:

• Apply online
• Apply through a partner agency. Customers can locate these agencies on a website, or call the 24-hour Agency Finder hotline, 1-888-650-9132. This is an automated phone system that is based on the zip code provided.
• Apply by phone. Customers can call 211 to apply for funding over the phone through United Way of the Midlands.

Dollar Energy Fund manages OPPD’s energy assistance program (EAP) as well as a network of community organizations. These organizations can access the Douglas County utility assistance in addition to OPPD’s EAP funds to help customers experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.

For more information about eligibility requirements and required documentation for the Douglas County utility assistance, visit OPPD’s Energy Assistance Program website.