Resources and Other Places to Get Help

ACCESS Nebraska is Nebraska DHHS' online portal for public assistance benefits including Medicaid, SNAP, Energy Assistance, Developmental Disability Services, and more. You can apply for benefits, report changes and upload documentation, complete your review, and check on the status of your benefits and/or application.

Local Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) offices provide information, referral, and assistance in accessing community services and long-term care options. ADRCs are for Nebraskans aged 60 years or older, people with disabilities of all ages, family members, caregivers, and advocates. Established by an act of the Nebraska Legislature.

Answers4Families is an online resource and support network for Nebraskans with disabilities and their families.

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 a state agency affiliated with Nebraska VR that helps Nebraskans with disabilities obtain assistive technology devices and services. Their website also 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)

The BIA-NE provides education, advocacy, and resource facilitation for individuals and families impacted by Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Nebraska's nine Community Action Agencies serve 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. CAN coordinates a few statewide programs such as the Nebraska Food Pantry Network and the Low-Income Tax Assistance and Outreach project.

The HUD "People with Disabilities" page contains information specific to those with disabilities, including available housing support and financing programs, accessible housing, fair housing guidelines, homelessness, and independent living.

Disability Rights Nebraska is a private, non-profit advocacy organization working for the rights of Nebraskans with significant physical or mental disabilities. In some circumstances they can provide legal representation. Their website also has an extensive resource section.

The official website of the Enable Savings Program, Nebraska's program under the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act of 2014. The program is managed by First National Bank of Omaha, with the State Treasurer serving as Trustee.

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

Find the closest VITA site to you. VITA provides free tax preparation and counseling for individuals with disabilities, seniors, and individuals with low income.

The mission of League of Human Dignity is centered around promoting independent living for individuals with disabilities. Their programs and services include the Barrier Removal Program, assistive technology equipment loan and rental, peer support, and independent living skills training.

The Nebraska chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) 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 Vocational Rehabilitation, The Nebraska Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, or Centers for Independent Living.

Nebraska Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (NCBVI) provides a variety of services including 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 peer support and counseling. NCBVI also provides consultation services for agencies and community organizations which come into contact with blind persons.

Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing focuses on improving 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 Nebraska Library Commission's 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 focuses on persons who experience a severe disability that occurs before the individual reaches age 22, including 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.