Personal Assistance Services (PAS) are those defined under Nebraska Medicaid rules and regulations that include a range of assistance provided to persons with disabilities and chronic conditions of all ages. It includes a range of services, provided by one or more persons, designed to assist an individual with a disability to perform daily activities on and off the job that the individual would typically perform if the individual did not have a disability. For more information, go to www.dhhs.ne.gov/HCS/services/PAS.htm.

PAS services are designed to increase the individual's control in life and the individual's ability to perform activities on and off the job. PAS is consumer-directed and is intended to supplement the individual's own personal abilities and resources. PAS can be used at home, the worksite, and in some educational settings.

What are Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in the Workplace?
Personal Assistance Services are offered statewide to the extent necessary to enable an individual to be engaged in competitive employment. PAS are provided to help an employee in the workplace perform specific personal tasks that includes specialized procedures or health maintenance activities. This does not include job tasks required to perform the job. The employer's responsibility for providing reasonable accommodations begins when the employee reaches the job site and concludes when the work day ends.

The determination of need for PAS at the worksite is made by the local DHHS Medicaid Eligibility Worker on an individual basis as documented in a plan of care for that individual. PAS is intended to provide the needed support to live, get to and from work, and perform at the worksite.

Must my employer allow me to have Personal Assistance Services (PAS) in the workplace if I need them?
Yes. The employer must allow a Personal Assistant at the worksite but they do not have to provide them. Regulations say the services have to be related to the basic personal needs of the person and not a work duty.

What if I need more than 40 hours of PAS per week?
Nebraska Health & Human Services has policies in place to review individual requests from qualified, employed individuals with disabilities who believe they require more services than determined at their individual assessment, or a different type of physical or cognitive assistance than that which has been made available. You may explore your options with a local Medicaid Eligibility Worker.

Are Personal Assistance Services (PAS) allowed in college or career school settings?
Yes. PAS is allowable for qualified individuals in educational settings based on individual need and documented in a plan of care for that individual. All sources of services and programs used by the individual and their specific responsibilities need to be considered in determining the appropriateness of the PAS program.

What is the funding for the Personal Assistance (PAS) Service?
Nebraska Medical Assistance Program (Medicaid) or a Home and Community-Based Waiver (for persons who meet eligibility requirements). A person must remain eligible for Medicaid to receive PAS.

What is a home environment?
The home environment is the individual's primary residence which is not a hospital, nursing, or intermediate care facility.