COVID-19 Information and Resources
Governor Ricketts has issued an Emergency Declaration for COVID-19. This content is intended to be a continuously updated document in a rapidly changing environment. It contains policy changes, opportunities for communities, and general updates connected to response to COVID-19.
STATE HOTLINE for COVID-19 Information: (402) 552-6645
8AM - 8PM CST - 7 Days a Week
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Links to unemployment insurance eligibility, short-time compensation, and more.
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Topics Covered: Licensing, Parent-Child Visitation, Background Checks, Staffing Ratios, Child Care, Aged and Disabled Services, DHHS Economic Assistance Programs, Other Information
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Currently taking DMs from people through social media.
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Nebraska 211 keeps an accurate and comprehensive database that you can use to find health and human services to meet your needs.
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- 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 -
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." -
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.
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- Tax preparation information
- Housing & home-ownership assistance
- Financial assistance including - dealing with debt, protecting credit, disaster assistance loans for small businesses
- State/local policies
- Other: assistance for nonprofits , fundraising during financial crisis, information about student loan deferments, etc.
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The utility understands some customers may experience challenges during this time. To support them, Burke said OPPD will suspend disconnections for non-payment through April 30. At that time, the utility will re-evaluate this moratorium.
OPPD reminds customers who pay their utility bills at our facilities or Moneygram locations, there are alternative payment methods available to limit person-to-person contact. You can pay your bill online at oppd.com, via the OPPDConnect app, or by phone by calling 402-536-4131 in Omaha, or 1-877-536-4131 outside of the metro calling area.
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Temporarily suspending shutoff
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Temporarily suspending disconnections for nonpayment
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Temporarily suspending water shutoff
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SNAP assists households with limited assets and income to buy the food they need for good health. Households qualify for SNAP benefits based on available household assets, income and certain expenses. If the household is eligible, SNAP benefits are placed on an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for the household to buy food.
If a SNAP recipient reports a layoff or if they have applied for unemployment due to COVID-19, they would be considered exempt from work requirements
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We provide healthy food at no cost, breastfeeding support, nutrition information, and referrals to about 38,000 people across the state each month.
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File for unemployment insurance (UI) as soon as you receive notice that you are being laid-off, furloughed, let go or their place of work is closed due to COVID. Dept. of Labor has made this process more rapid and several requirements are being waived for UI claims such as searching for new work and the one-week wait period.
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Bryan Health is now offering a free, short online questionnaire to determine if you should seek care
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coronavirus risk-assessment questionnaire
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Nebraska Family Helpline
The Nebraska Family Helpline is available 24/7 to parents and families. Any problem, any time: 1-888-866-8660.
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by Megan J. Freeman, PhD from Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child and Family Services
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from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
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Includes tips on how to talk to your child about coronavirus and age-appropriate resources for children.
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School Social workers can be contacted through the school office or by contacting Student Services, 402-436-1688
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from the National Association of School Psychologists
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Tune in every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at 2:00 PM CT/1:00 PM MT for Nebraska 4-H's Living Room Learning! Each day, youth will participate in a hands-on virtually guided activity where they will learn about healthy living, science, technology, and more!
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from Afterschool Alliance
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This is a running resource list for foster youth impacted by campus closures. It was compiled by grassroots organizers and is not affiliated with any one organization.
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Youth financial assistance application is located at the bottom of the page
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Updated federal guidance on work-study payments and financial aid guidance as colleges close
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DHHS is modifying the Bridge to Independence (B2i) requirements – currently youth do not need to fulfill work requirements for the program to receive their stipend benefit
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On March 19, the United States Children’s Bureau and Think of Us hosted a Virtual Town Hall for Older Foster Youth. In this Town Hall, Dr. Jerry Milner addressed how coronavirus is impacting older foster youth and answered questions from states. Dr. Milner made it clear that he sees youth, hears youth, and is working with states to ensure that critical youth needs are getting met.
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VLP is a statewide pro bono program of the Nebraska State Bar Association, created by Nebraska lawyers with a common passion―an unwavering commitment to pursue equal justice under the law for the less fortunate and unrepresented in Nebraska.
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The Nebraska Legislature is currently postponed until it is safe and necessary to call members back. During this pause in the legislative session, senators and their offices continue their work. They are collaborating with the executive branch and government agencies to implement and communicate emergency policy changes.
Use link below to find your state senator. After you identify your state senator, you can look up their pages on social media by searching their name on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Many of them are communicating important updates for their constituents. You can also contact their offices with the information listed on their website.
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Douglas, Sarpy and Lancaster registered voters will receive vote-by-mail ballot request forms ahead of May 12 primary to reduce spread of COVID-19. Residents not in these counties can request a vote-by-mail ballot at the link
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NTAP assists qualifying low-income individuals with obtaining and keeping telephone services by lowering monthly service and connection rates. Individuals can qualify for NTAP by participating in Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans Pension Benefit/Survivors Pension Benefit, Federal Public Housing, or if household income is at or below 135 percent of the poverty level.
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Anyone who is low income, has a housing voucher, receiving tribal help, collecting SSI or disability, etc. can apply for low-cost internet.
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Forum for people to request and offer help specific to needs related to COVID-19.
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Zoom is temporarily lifting the 40-minute time limit on free Basic accounts for schools affected by the Coronavirus. Click the linkehow to get access for your school.
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Those who need storage for their belongings while they sort out where to go next, should visit the link below to find a U-Haul location near them. Offer is dependent on occupancy at facilities, and that if a facility is unable to offer a storage container, they will direct students to the next closest location.
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For more information about free Spectrum broadband for those who self-identify as being affected by COVID-19, call 1-844-488-8395 or visit the link.
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60 days of “Internet Essentials” package at no cost for low-income customers
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will offer a low-cost home internet package for low-income families
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Allo - free internet (Lancaster County)
call 402-480-6550
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List of resources and responses from the North Omaha community
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