In a Nutshell

While the Cornhusker State is known for its sprawling farmlands and passionate college football culture, many of its residents struggle financially. With an average Nebraska household income of $89,209, falling below the national average of $97,962, residents are feeling the pressure to keep up with the rising cost of living and maintaining financial stability.

In response to these challenges, Nebraska offers several financial assistance programs to support residents in need. These initiatives range from direct cash aid and food support to healthcare services and housing resources, all aimed at helping Nebraskans navigate tough times.

Keep reading to discover Nebraska’s financial assistance programs and resources available and how they can provide much-needed relief.

Government Assistance Programs in Nebraska

Government assistance programs in the Cornhusker State aim to impact the lives of residents experiencing financial hardships. These initiatives provide critical support, including cash assistance, food aid, and healthcare services.

Cash Assistance Programs

Cash assistance programs in Nebraska help low-income individuals and families meet their basic needs, offering a lifeline to those struggling to overcome economic challenges.

Recipients can receive their cash benefits through the U.S. Bank ReliaCard®. This prepaid debit card provides a fast, secure, and convenient way to access funds without the need for paper checks or direct deposit.

  • Funded by the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grant
  • Cash assistance to low-income families with dependent children living below the poverty line
  • Families with able parents have a 60-month lifetime limit, and no limit for cases involving disabled parents or non-parental caregivers
  • Formerly known as the Food Stamp Program
  • Helps low-income households buy food to improve nutrition levels
  • Financial assistance to families facing situations that threaten the health or well-being of an eligible child  
  • Payments cover shelter, relocation, or nonmedical transportation

Nebraska Stimulus Checks

  • No new Nebraska stimulus check is planned for 2024 beyond the Economic Impact Payments issued during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Nebraska does not offer a state-level Child Tax Credit (CTC), but residents can claim the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC)
  • Claiming these credits can reduce tax liability or increase refunds, offering financial relief to low- to moderate-income families

Medical Assistance

Nebraska’s medical assistance programs help low-income residents cover costs, ensuring they receive comprehensive health care services.

  • Medical coverage for low-income individuals, including seniors, disabled individuals, children, pregnant women, and others who meet eligibility requirements  
  • Covers a wide range of services, such as hospital care, mental health services, prescription drugs, dental, and medical transportation
  • Healthcare assistance for uninsured children under 18 who don’t qualify for Medicaid
  • Offers the same services as Medicaid, including preventive and consistent care
  • Diagnostic services for women ages 18-74 with potential breast or cervical issues who meet income guidelines 
  • Offers access to cancer treatment through Nebraska Medicaid’s Women’s Cancer Program for those without other health insurance

Pregnant and Single Mother Programs

Nebraska offers a range of programs to support pregnant women and single mothers, providing essential resources for prenatal care, nutrition, and overall well-being.

599 CHIP

  • Prenatal care program (PDF) for pregnant women not eligible for Medicaid or Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
  • Covers pregnancy-related services focused on the health of the unborn child, including labor and delivery
  • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for pregnant women, breastfeeding moms, and families with children under five
  • Offers free healthy food, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals

Child Care Services

The Cornhusker State provides crucial resources for families seeking affordable child care. These initiatives ensure that children receive quality care while parents focus on work, education, or other responsibilities.

  • Financial assistance for children under 12 (or up to 19 if a child has special needs) to help with child care costs
  • Parents may choose their provider, with some families eligible for full coverage depending on income
  • Facilitates partnerships between Head Start agencies and state entities to benefit children from low-income families
  • Promotes school readiness, encouraging children’s development through local programs for kids ages birth to five years

Food Assistance

Food assistance programs aim to guarantee that residents have access to nutritious meals. Nebraska’s Food Distribution program plays a key role by providing USDA-donated foods to schools, child care centers, summer programs, and food banks, helping to feed communities in need across the state.

The main programs include:

  • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP): Supports child and adult care facilities by providing nutritious meals that promote healthy growth in children and improve wellness in older adults and chronically impaired disabled individuals
  • The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP): Distributes USDA-donated food to low-income households via food banks and pantries, helping supplement diets at no cost to recipients

Assistance for Veterans

Nebraska offers an array of services and benefits to help veterans and their families navigate available resources.

  • Provides veterans access to benefits related to education, healthcare, housing, finance, and legal assistance  
  • Contact a County Veterans Service Officer for more information and personalized guidance
  • Supports military personnel and their families with crisis intervention, emotional support, and employment resources  
  • Offers state and local programs tailored to the unique needs of veterans

Elderly and Disabled Adult Programs

Nebraska’s elderly and disabled adult programs offer several services through the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver to help individuals stay in their communities rather than move to institutional care.

The Aged and Disabled (AD) Waiver services support senior citizens over 65 or individuals with disabilities who meet the Nursing Facility Level of Care and need waiver services. Eligible participants can access resources tailored to their needs, promoting independence and quality of life.

Available services include:

  • Adult Day Health  
  • Assisted Living  
  • Companion Services  
  • Home-Delivered Meals  
  • Independence Skills Building

Utility Bill Assistance

Nebraska offers various programs to assist low-income families with their utility bills, helping them keep their homes safe and comfortable while reducing the financial burden.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the primary source of support, providing financial aid for energy bills and crisis assistance. Programs and services include:

  • Heating Assistance: One-time payments during the heating season (Oct 1 – Mar 31) to reduce utilities for LIHEAP-eligible households
  • Cooling Assistance: Financial aid for cooling bills during the summer (Jun 1 – Aug 31) for LIHEAP-eligible households with children, elderly members, or those with medical needs
  • Crisis Assistance: Year-round support for households facing emergency utility situations due to unexpected expenses or loss of income
  • Weatherization Services: Energy-efficient home improvements provided by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) to help reduce energy costs
  • Heating and Cooling Repair and Replacement Assistance (HCRRA): Up to $5,000 assistance for repair or replacement of heating or cooling systems to qualifying households

Assistance for Unemployment

Nebraska’s unemployment assistance programs provide financial aid and employment services to help unemployed individuals regain stability and find new opportunities.

  • Temporary financial assistance for those unemployed through no fault of their own  
  • Eligibility requires actively seeking work, ability to work, and availability to accept new employment

Employment First

  • Nebraska’s welfare reform program provides temporary support, training, and education to help families achieve self-sufficiency.
  • Learn more about the program in the TANF Work Verification Plan (PDF)

Housing and Homelessness Assistance

Housing and homelessness assistance programs support Nebraskans who are experiencing housing instability. Funded by state and federal sources, the Nebraska Homeless Assistance Program (NHAP) is central to these efforts, assisting those who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Key initiatives include:

  • Street Outreach: Emergency services for families living in unsuitable places to help them find temporary accommodations
  • Homelessness Prevention: Provides rental and financial assistance to prevent homelessness for at-risk individuals and families
  • Emergency Shelter: Short-term housing options for those facing homelessness
  • Rapid Rehousing: Rental and financial aid to connect homeless individuals with permanent housing solutions

Transportation Assistance

  • Medicaid Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (PDF) service provides transportation for recipients to attend scheduled medical appointments
  • Nebraska Total Care offers free transportation for non-emergency medical appointments via MTM, Inc. (members can request rides by calling (844) 385-2192 or using the MTM member portal)

Divorce and Other Legal Assistance

  • Nebraska Judicial Branch: Offers legal resources and information for low-income individuals, along with lawyer referral services to help resolve legal issues
  • Legal Aid of Nebraska: Provides free civil legal assistance to low-income residents, including a virtual divorce clinic for uncontested divorces in select counties

Nonprofit Assistance Programs in Nebraska

Nonprofit assistance programs play a key role in supporting Nebraskans facing financial hardship. Privately-funded organizations offer valuable resources for housing, food, healthcare, and more, filling gaps where government aid may fall short.

  • National nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness through education and advocacy  
  • Partners with schools, early childhood programs, higher education, and service providers to support youth and families
  • Financial assistance grants for struggling individuals and families
  • Features a comprehensive list of funding opportunities for housing, healthcare, disaster relief, education, research, arts, and more
  • Collaborates with Feeding America to deliver food to children, families, seniors, and veterans in Nebraska and western Iowa
  • Strives to eliminate hunger, serving 93 counties across the region

How Do You Get Financial Help in Nebraska?

Nebraska offers several assistance programs to address financial hardships, including help with utilities, healthcare, and basic needs. These programs are crucial in supporting families in navigating through tough economic times.

Unfortunately, these programs may not always be enough to tackle unsustainable debt like high credit card balances or medical bills. If you’re feeling financially strapped, working with a trusted debt relief company like TurboDebt can be a game-changer.

TurboDebt provides effective Nebraska debt relief programs for residents looking for customized assistance. In 2023 alone, we’ve helped thousands save an average of 55% on their total debt before fees.

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  • No new loans or lines of credit as part of your debt relief program
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Don’t let debt hold you back any longer. Contact us for a free consultation and start taking steps toward a debt-free future.