Covid -19 Resources

NEBRASKA DHHS COVID-19 INFORMATION LINE (402) 552-6645 8AM – 8PM CST – 7 DAYS A WEEK
  • COVID-19 Vaccinations
    • Vaccination will play a critical role in protecting Nebraskans against COVID-19 as well as slowing the spread of the virus. Click here to find the state’s vaccination plan or to register for vaccination if you are over 65 or an adult with pre-existing medical conditions. You may also register through your local health department.
  • Nebraska Health and Human Services Resource Site
    • This site provides Nebraska resources including updated statistics on COVID-19, resources in other languages, information about protecting yourself and getting tested, and links to local health departments for specific information for your area of Nebraska.
  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
    • Resources at the National level including symptoms, what to do if you are sick, and how to slow the spread.
  • Child Care Resources
    • Parents who are in need of child care can search the Nebraska Child Care Referral Network for licensed providers in their area. Child care providers are subject to the statewide Directed Health Measure (DHM), including limiting spaces to 10 people at a time. Parents and providers should review the CDC’s guidance for child care facilities.
      Families may be eligible for financial assistance for child care costs. Apply for child care subsidies through ACCESSNebraska.
      Providers can apply to bill families receiving subsidies for days when the child absent from care because the parent kept the child home or is unable to utilize care due to the COVID-19 emergency. Read more in this DHHS FAQ.
      Families should not experience a loss of child care assistance before the end of their 12-month eligibility period if they have experienced a temporary job loss or change in participation in a training or education activity as a result of the CARES Act.
  • Health Care
    • Nebraska workers who have lost job-based health coverage due to the crisis may be eligible for Medicaid or for financial assistance to purchase coverage through the Marketplace. Apply for Medicaid through ACCESSNebraska or check to see if you qualify for enrollment through the Marketplace.Workers who are receiving COVID-19 relief, such as unemployment benefits can check to see what counts as income for Medicaid or Marketplace subsidy eligibility here.
      Immigrant families who are concerned about accessing health care during this time can and should still continue to seek health care. The U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services recently confirmed that testing, treatment, or preventive care related to COVID-19 would not be considered under the new public charge rule, even if those services are covered by Medicaid.
      The state of Nebraska has received approval for a Medicaid Section 1135 waiver, which creates additional flexibility within the program, mostly for health care providers. The waiver extends fair hearing timelines for enrollees that have filed an appeal with Medicaid.
  • Paid Sick and Family Leave
    • Workers may be eligible for benefits and job-protected leave for health and family caregiving reasons under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. The new law applies to those working for employers with fewer than 500 employees, government workers, most federal workers, and self-employed workers and independent contractors.Emergency Paid Sick Leave
      Up to 80 hours of job-protected leave
      Can be used for own illness or for family caregiving related to the coronavirus (including school closures) if the employee is unable to telework
      Workers receive their regular pay up to $511 per day if they are caring for themselfs
      Workers receive two-thirds of their regular pay up to $200 per day to care for someone else
      Workers do not have to use existing employer-provided paid leave benefits before using emergency paid sick leave
      Emergency Paid Family Leave
      Expands the existing federal Family Medical Leave Act
      Up to 12 weeks of family leave for parents to care for a child whose school or place of care is closed if the worker
      Workers receive two-thirds of their regular pay but workers are not required to pay more than $200 per day or $10,000 total
      Unlike many other states, Nebraska does not have paid sick or paid family leave protections for workers who are not eligible for federal emergency leave. Many low-wage workers in “essential” industries may find themselves ineligible for the new federal leave protections. More information about emergency paid leave is available from the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • Unemployment Insurance
    • Workers who are furloughed, laid off, or otherwise unable to find work as a result of the coronavirus pandemic may be eligible for unemployment insurance (UI). Governor Ricketts ordered that a number of existing requirements for UI benefits be waived through May 1, 2020, including the one week unpaid waiting period and the work search requirements for recipients. Apply for UI benefits through the Nebraska Department of Labor.
  • Emergency Support for Families
    • Must have dependent child in the home
      – If already on Economic Assistance program- no separate application just call and request assistance
      – Must be sustainable
      – High priority processing – usually a 24-hour turn around
      – Only eligible one time in a 12 month period of time
      If you are on assistance already, just call to the Economic Assistance line and request emergency assistance
  • Financial Aid to Families – Aid to Dependent Children
    • The ADC Program provides financial payments to dependent children, age 18 or younger, and eligible parents who meet financial eligibility requirements.
      During the national emergency, Good Cause will be granted to all Employment First individuals who did not meet the work requirement beginning the month of March until further notice. In addition, the requirement to develop and complete a self-sufficiency ADC/TANF contract before an ADC case is approved is being waived due to “good cause.”
  • Low Income Energy Assistance Program
    • Assists low-income households in meeting energy costs. Benefits are based on family size, income level, fuel type, and geographic residency in the state. Due to the impact of COVID-19, there may be an increase in the number of households requesting LIHEAP crisis assistance. DHHS may consider the inability to pay home energy costs as a result of the impact of COVID-19 as an extenuating circumstance.
  • Nebraska Resources
    • Nebraska 211 keeps an accurate and comprehensive database that you can use to find health and human services to meet your needs.
NEBRASKA FAMILY HELPLINE AT (888) 866-8660
RURAL RESPONSE HOTLINE AT (800) 464-0258
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE AT (800) 273-8255