Beneficiary Resources

ACCESS Nebraska is the quick, easy way to find, apply and update Nebraska public assistance benefits. Now there is no need to come to our office or wait in line. You can log on for many Nebraska public assistance benefit programs. Use any computer with Internet access-at home, at the library, at many community agencies such as senior centers, community action agencies, and at many Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) offices.

What are the advantages to applying online?
•Am IEligible? A self-screening tool to determine the programs for which you may want to apply.
•Apply For Benefits. Select programs for which you want to apply, or complete a review/re-certification and submit the application online with an electronic signature.
•Report Changes. If you are currently receiving benefits,use this tool to report changes in your household.
•Benefits Inquiry. Check status of application and benefits.

The mission of Answers4Families is to provide information, opportunities for dialogue, education and support to Nebraskans with special needs and their families; by developing and providing internet resources; and by encouraging others to do the same.

The Arc of Nebraska is committed to helping children and adults with disabilities secure the opportunity to choose and realize their goals of where and how they learn, live, work and play. The Arc is the largest national organization advocating for and serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including Down syndrome, autism, FASD, cerebral palsy and other diagnoses.

The Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) is dedicated to helping Nebraskans with disabilities, their families and professional obtain assistive technology devices and services. In addition, the website offers information on locating affordable housing and free online service to list and find equipment for loan, sale, demonstrate or to give-away. For more information, call 402.471.0734 (V/TTY) or 1.888.806.6287 (V/TTY)

Community Action helps the low-income gain the necessary skills to become self-sufficient. Nebraska has nine Community Action Agencies, serves all 93 counties with a variety of programs designed to empower low-income families and individuals and make our state a better place to live. Community Action of Nebraska (CAN) serves as a bridge between the agencies and State, Federal and private organizations. In addition, CAN coordinates a few statewide programs such as the Nebraska Food Pantry Network and the Low-Income Tax Assistance and Outreach project.

GUD's mission is to increase home ownership , support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination. The HUD "People with Disabilities" page contains information bout housing for those with disabilities. It has information on topics such as housing support and financing programs, accessible housing, fair housing guidelines, homelessness and independent living.

Disability Rights Nebraska is a private , non-profit organization designated by the Governor to protect and advocate for the rights of Nebraskans with significant physical or mental disabilities.

In December 2014, the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act was signed into law authorizing individuals with disabilities to open tax-exempt savings accounts to save for disability-related expenses without impacting eligibility for resource-based benefits. The Act permits individuals with disabilities to save more than a total of $2,000 in assets (cash, savings, etc.) in their name in a qualified ABLE account.

The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the
Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify at thousands of sites across the country.

The League of Human Dignity is an organization of people concerned about the rights and quality of life for people with disabilities. League members collaborate to ensure social, economic and political equality for persons with disabilities. The league believes in emphasizing likeness not difference, ability not disability, normality not abnormality, and integration not segregation. The league works toward independent living for people who have disabilities.

The mission of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is to provide education, advocacy and mutual support to empower Nebraskans whose lives have been touched by mental illness. The statewide organization operates in partnership with 15 local affiliates that offer monthly meetings, support groups and a caring presence to consumers with mental illness and their families.

The Nebraska Client Assistance Program (CAP) is a free service to help consumers find solutions if they are having problems with any of the following programs:Vocational Rehabilitation, The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired or Centers for Independent Living.

The services provided by the Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (NCBVI) include, but are not limited to the following: Training in non-visual (or "low vision") skills that allow full participation in life; educational assistance such as tuition, books equipment and readers; vocational counseling and assistance in securing or maintaining employment; occupational equipment, tools and supplies; and pee support and counseling. NCBVI provides consultation services for agencies and community organizations which come into contact with blind persons.

The mission of the Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is to improve the quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people of all ages by providing assistance , advocacy and access to services and information.

The Talking Book and Braille Service provides free books and magazines on cassette and in Braille to individuals with a visual or physical condition or a reading disability which limits use of regular print. Their collection of books and magazines is similar to those found in public libraries. Special cassette players are also provided free of charge . Their descriptive video collection offers audio description of the visual elements of movies and public television program videos and DVDs. Books, magazines,videos and players are mailed to and from the library postage-free.

The Nebraska Planning Council on Developmental Disabilities is a 23-member council that is appointed by the Governor. The Council focuses on persons who experience a severe disability that occurs before the individual attends the age of 22, which includes persons with physical disabilities, mental/behavioral health conditions and persons that are served by the current state developmental disabilities system. The Council awards grants to various agencies to address gaps and barriers in the system. Six regional councils receive funds from the State Council to carry out the Council's goals at a local level.

The NRRS is a statewide database created with input from Nebraska families,service providers and organizations, and is designed to be a comprehensive internet resource that would be user friendly and easily accessible to individuals and families needing services across the state.

Nebraska VR assists individuals with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. VR works with all types of physical, mental or emotional disabilities who are willing and able to work.

Nebraska Workforce Development provides information about programs, initiatives and special efforts of Nebraska Workforce Development.

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription drug coverage get the medicines they need through the program that is right for them. Many will get their medications free or nearly free.

The Partnership's mission is to increase awareness of patient assistance programs and boost enrollment of those who are eligible by offering a single point of access to more than 475 public and private programs, including nearly 200 offered by pharmaceutical companies. The Partnership has already helped millions of Americans get free or reduced-cost prescription medicines.

Although there are other companies that offer to connect consumers to prescription assistance programs for a fee, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps patients find the program that's right, free of charge. You will never be asked for money by a PPA Call Center representative.

Many people, including seniors and retired people, students, working individuals, and people without jobs may qualify for assistance. To find out if you qualify or to learn more,call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or visit

The BIA-NE Resource Directory is on online tool provided for hundreds of survivors of brain injury, family members and the professionals who work with them. Paid professional or corporate members of the BIA­ NE are eligible to have an entry for their business, organization or agency in the Professional Resource Directory. The Resource Directory is updated four times per year. Business listings (memberships) and paid display advertising are valid for one year from time of payment. Contact Cindy Evert Christ at
cec@biane org or 402-304-8103 regarding professional membership or to place display ads in the Resource Directory.

Since Medicare, Medicaid and other types of health insurance can be confusing;the State of Nebraska has developed a program to educate older Nebraskans and people with disabilities about their health insurance . This program is known as the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program, or SHIIP. SHIIP maintains a counseling program for Nebraskans who request one-on-one assistance for accurate, objective information; they help you understand your options, so that you can make a better informed decision.

The Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) has created a flyer for anyone needing help with Part D.

SILCs are cross-disability councils comprised of a majority of individuals with disabilities, family members, and advocates mandated to uphold the philosophy of independent living.

UCP is the leading source of information on cerebral palsy and is a pivotal advocate for the rights of person with any disability. As one of the largest health charities in America, the UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizenship of people with disabilities through an affiliate network.

2-1-1 Nebraska is a single source for information about community services, human services and critical intervention. There are two ways to gain assistance from the 2-1-1 network - by utilizing the call center 24 hours a day, seven days a week or by searching the comprehensive social services database.