Financial

The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. It provides nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches to children each school day.

Children may be determined “categorically eligible” for free meals through participation in certain Federal Assistance Programs, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or based on their status as a homeless, migrant, runaway, or foster child. Children enrolled in a federally-funded Head Start Program, or a comparable State-funded pre-kindergarten program, are also categorically eligible for free meals. Children can also qualify for free or reduced price school meals based on household income and family size. Children from families with incomes at or below 130 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for free meals. Those with incomes between 130 and 185 percent of the Federal poverty level are eligible for reduced price meals. Schools may not charge children more than 40 cents for a reduced price lunch.

Visit their website for more information on how to apply.

Any food for the household, such as:

• Fruits and vegetables;
• Meat, poultry, and fish;
• Dairy products;
• Breads and cereals;
• Other foods such as snack foods and non-alcoholic beverages; and
• Seeds and plants, which produce food for the household to eat.

Households CANNOT use SNAP benefits to buy:

• Beer, wine, liquor, cigarettes, or tobacco
• Vitamins, medicines, and supplements. If an item has a Supplement Facts label, it is considered a supplement and is not eligible for SNAP purchase.
• Live animals (except shellfish, fish removed from water, and animals slaughtered prior to pick-up from the store).
• Prepared Foods fit for immediate consumption
• Hot foods
• Any nonfood items such as:
  • Pet foods  
  • Cleaning supplies, paper products, and other household supplies.
  • Hygiene items, cosmetics

The Deparment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal aid to local housing agencies to assist low-income residents with rental assistance. Visit the HUD Website for resources in applying for public housing and housing vouchers, locating subsidized apartments, and more.

An individual looking to apply for disability benifits in the state of Nebraska has three separate options to file a claim with the Social Security Administration (SSA).

• Online: File online at ssa.gov the SSA’s official website. Follow this guide for what information you will need to have
• Telephone: File over the telephone by calling the SSA’s customer service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778)
• In-person: File in-person at the closest Social Security field office. Find your nearest office here.

Disabled Persons and Family Support: The Disabled Persons and Family Support (DPFS) Program provides state-funded assistance to persons of all ages who meet certain tests, including income and disability tests. The program helps people with disabilities remain employed, stay independent and live at home.  Eligible individuals may receive funding for specific services, up to $300 a month or $3,600 annually.

Disabled Persons and Family Support Website

Aid To The Aged, Blind, Or Disabled: The Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) payment program provides cash payment to persons who are blind or disabled based on Social Security rules. In order to be eligible for an AABD payment, the applicant(s) must meet certain tests, including resource and income tests.

State Disabilty Program: The state disability program provides a cash payment and medical coverage for a disabled or blind person who cannot receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) due to their disability which is expected to last less than 12 months. A person must have received a disability denial of “lack of duration" from the Social Security Administration in order to apply.

Call AccessNebraska at (800) 383-4278 or apply online here.

Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled and State Disability Program Website

Social Services Aged And Disabled Adults: The Social Services for Aged and Disabled Adults (SSAD) program provides help to persons who are age 60 or older, blind or disabled or live independently with support in their own home.  In order to be eligible for services through SSAD, a person or married couple must meet certain tests, including resource and income tests. SSAD will only provide services that are not covered through Medicaid services or other programs.

Call AccessNebraska at (800) 383-4278 or apply online here.

Social Services Aged and Disabled Adults Website

Medicaid: Medicaid provides health care services to eligible elderly and disabled individuals and low-income pregnant women, children, and parents. You may be eligible for Medicaid if you are an individual under 65 years of age who has a disability, or is visually impaired according to Social Security guidelines. 

Call AccessNebraska at (800) 383-4278 or apply online here.

Medicaid Aged And Disabled Waiver: The Aged and Disabled Waiver is a program that offers an array of services to support people who are eligible for Medicaid and have needs at nursing facility level of care. You will need to specifically request for an eligibility check for this program when applying for Medicaid.

There are several programs and agencies that may be able to provide you with financial assistance:

Emergency Assistance Program

Emergency Assistance helps with money and/or services for needy children and other household members when there’s an emergency situation. The program helps when the situation is threatening to the health or well-being of an eligible child and family. To be eligible for emergency assistance a family must have gross countable income less than the following:

For more information, find the phone number of the nearest HHS office.

ADC (Aid to Dependent Children)

This program provides cash assistance to low-income families with children 18 or younger. ADC income is used to pay for family living expenses like rent, utilities, food, clothing, and other necessities. To be eligible for ADC cash assistance, a family must have net monthly income less than the program’s need and payment standards.

Child Care Subsidy

This program will help pay for child care expenses. Income limits are in place and the parent applying must meet other conditions. (402) 471-9325, or more on Nebraska child care assistance programs.

Catholic Social Services

Catholic Social Services operate across Nebraska. Social workers can help the low income, poor, and others find and pay for low income housing, offer basic needs such as clothing, and other support services. 2241 O Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68510, (402) 474-1600 333 West 2nd Street, Hastings, NE 68901, dial (402) 463-2112

Are you a member of a church? Consider inquiring with your church or a local church to see if they have any aid options.

The Nebraska Resource and Referral System (NRRS) is an online database of Nebraska service providers and organizations. View a list of emergency shelter and temporary housing resources in Nebraska.