Osage Nation Utility Assistance Programs: Which one is right for you?

Utility Information

The Osage Nation Financial Assistance Department is committed to improving the lives of Osage constituents and is currently implementing two utility assistance programs. Read below to find the right one for you. 

 

OSAGE NATION LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP) 

The Utility Assistance Program operates for a fiscal year (October through September) and serves low-income Native American households within the Osage Nation Reservation (Osage County) by providing residential energy assistance and repairing heating/cooling units. This program provides financial assistance applied to the energy bill and operates on a seasonal schedule: a heating season, a cooling season, and a crisis.

 

REQUIREMENTS: 

  • A resident of Osage County/ Osage Nation Reservation, and 
  • At least one household member is Native American member of a federally recognized tribe, and 
  • Household net income qualifies under 60% of the State Median Income amount for Oklahoma, and  
  • Complete and submit an application 

 

OSAGE NATION UTILITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 

The Osage Utility Assistance Program is a temporary program in FY 2024 and serves enrolled Osage members within the Osage Reservation (Osage County). Various utility vendors throughout Osage County have increased their charges to utility customers during FY 2024. In response, the Osage Nation Congress has appropriated funds to the Financial Assistance Department. The purpose of this temporary program is to provide financial assistance to Osage members, who are responsible for household utilities, while they adjust their monthly budgets to afford the increase.

Assistance is available once, from June 1st through September 30th, 2024 per household with a maximum of $300. The benefit includes payment for energy charges or heating materials that provide heat or cooling to the residential home. The payment will be issued directly to the utility vendor.
 

REQUIREMENTS: 

*There is no low-income requirement for the Osage Nation Utility Assistance Program 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: 

  • Is the Utility Assistance Program for all Osages regardless of income? Yes.

  • Is the LIHEAP Program only for folks under 60% of Oklahoma's State Median Income amount? Yes.

  • Can eligible applicants apply for both? No. Applicants can ONLY apply for one program.

  • Do applicants have to reside on the Osage Nation Reservation for both programs? Yes.

  • Is the Utility Assistance Program for all Osages residing in Osage County/ Osage Nation Reservation (who do not qualify for the LIHEAP Program)? Yes.