Benefits for seniors in Nebraska

Medicaid for people 65 and over

Nebraska Medicaid covers people 65 or older, and people who are blind or have a disability.

• Income: For 2026, up to $1,330 a month for one person, or $1,804 for two. This is 100% of the federal poverty level. Some income is not counted, so apply even if you are a little over.
• Resources: Up to $4,000 for one person or $6,000 for two. Your home, one car, business equipment and an irrevocable burial fund do not count.
• Over the income limit? Nebraska has a Medically Needy / Share of Cost program. You pay part of your medical bills each month, and Medicaid can pay the rest. The amount you keep for living costs is $392 a month.
• What it covers: Doctor and hospital care, prescriptions and other services. If you have Medicare, Medicaid can pay costs Medicare does not.

Long-term care. Medicaid can pay for nursing home care and assisted living through a waiver. You keep a personal needs allowance of $75 a month. If you are married, your spouse at home can keep between $32,532 and $162,660 in resources, and may keep part of your income.

Estate recovery. If you got Medicaid after age 55, Nebraska may seek repayment from your estate after you die. It waits until both you and your spouse have died. It does not collect if you leave a child under 21, or a child of any age who is blind or permanently disabled. Nebraska does not put liens on your property for this. Funeral costs are paid first, and heirs can ask for a hardship waiver. Questions: Estate Recovery, 402-471-1614.

Help paying Medicare costs

Nebraska uses the federal limits for its Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). You must have Medicare Part A.

• QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part A and Part B premiums, deductibles and copays. Income up to $1,350 a month for one person or $1,824 for a couple.
• SLMB (Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,616 a month for one person or $2,184 for a couple.
• QI (Qualifying Individual): Pays your Part B premium. Income up to $1,816 a month for one person or $2,455 for a couple.
• Resources: Up to $9,950 for one person or $14,910 for a couple.

If you get an MSP, you also get Extra Help with drug costs automatically. Apply through iServe Nebraska or by phone (see How to apply).

Prescription drug help

Nebraska's state agencies do not list a state drug payment program for seniors. For people with Medicare in Nebraska, the main help with drug costs is Extra Help. It lowers your Part D premium and caps copays at $5.10 for generics and $12.65 for brand-name drugs. You can apply with Social Security. Nebraska SHIP can help you choose a drug plan.

Extra state payment with SSI

Nebraska's Aid to the Aged, Blind, or Disabled (AABD) program is run by DHHS, not Social Security. It can add a state payment to your SSI check. There is no set amount. DHHS adds up your needs using the state's standard, which depends on where you live (on your own, a boarding home, an adult family home or assisted living), then subtracts your SSI and other income. What is left is your AABD payment. You must also apply for SSI. AABD can also help in some cases with costs such as home repairs, furniture, appliances, and guardian or conservator fees. Ask DHHS at 1-855-632-7633, or apply at iserve.nebraska.gov.

Food help

Nebraska calls food stamps SNAP. Benefits come on an EBT card.

• Assets: From October 1, 2026, if someone in your home is 60 or older or disabled, the asset limit is $4,750 (other households: $3,000).
• Income: After deductions, income must be at or below $1,330 a month for one person or $1,804 for two. The most one person can get is $306 a month.
• How to apply: Online at iserve.nebraska.gov, by phone through ACCESSNebraska at 1-800-383-4278, or at a DHHS office.
• Meals: People over 60 and their spouses may be able to use SNAP benefits for meals at some senior meal sites. Your Area Agency on Aging can help you find senior meals and home-delivered meals.
• Watch for scams: The SNAP information line is 1-800-221-5689. Scammers have faked this number, so never give your card number to someone who calls you.
• Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program: Helps low-income seniors buy fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and raw honey from local growers. Under federal rules you must be 60 or older with household income at or below 185% of the federal poverty level. To sign up, contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Questions: Nebraska Department of Agriculture, 402-471-4876.

SNAP rules changed in 2026 because of new federal law. Ask DHHS how the changes affect you.

Help staying at home

• Aged and Disabled (AD) Waiver: A Medicaid program that helps you stay at home instead of moving to a nursing home. You must be 65 or older (or have a disability), get Nebraska Medicaid, and need the level of care given in a nursing home. Services include personal care, chore help, home-delivered meals, adult day health, respite for caregivers, home changes, emergency response buttons, and transportation. A service coordinator helps you make a plan. If you are 65 or older, you usually work with your Area Agency on Aging.
• PACE: DHHS lists one approved PACE program. It serves all of Douglas and Sarpy counties and parts of Cass, Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties.

Property tax and housing help

• Homestead exemption: If you were 65 or older before January 1, 2026, own your home and live in it, Nebraska can exempt all or part of its taxable value. For 2026 (based on 2025 income):
  • Full (100%) relief: Household income up to $37,000 if single, or $43,400 if married or closely related.
  • Partial relief: Shrinks as income rises. No relief above $54,300 single, or $64,500 married.
  • Home value limits also apply and differ by county. Your county assessor can tell you yours.
  • Disabled? People with disabilities and disabled veterans have higher income limits: full relief up to $41,600 single, or $47,700 married.
  • How to apply: File Form 458 and Schedule I (income statement) with your county assessor by June 30 each year. Nebraska Homestead Helpline: 1-888-475-5101.

Help with energy bills

Nebraska runs the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through DHHS.

• Income: Up to 150% of the federal poverty level. From October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027, that is $23,940 a year for one person or $32,460 for two.
• Heating help: October 1 through March 31, paid to your utility once per season.
• Cooling help: June 1 through August 31. Households with someone 70 or older can qualify.
• Crisis help: All year, for emergencies such as a shut-off notice. Call 1-800-383-4278.
• Furnace or central air: Up to $750 for repair or replacement, once every 60 months.
• How to apply: Online at iserve.nebraska.gov, at a DHHS office, or by phone: Lincoln 402-323-3900, Omaha 402-595-1258, or toll-free 1-800-383-4278.

Free help and counseling

• Nebraska SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program): Free, unbiased one-on-one help with Medicare choices, run by the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Counselors do not recommend policies, companies or agents. Call 1-800-234-7119. SHIP also runs the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) to report Medicare fraud.
• Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC): Information and help finding services near you. Call toll-free 1-844-843-6364.
• Area Agencies on Aging: Nebraska has eight. They help with meals, in-home services and the AD Waiver:
  • Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging (Omaha): 402-444-6536
  • Aging Partners (Lincoln): 402-441-7070
  • Blue Rivers Area Agency on Aging (Beatrice): 402-223-1376
  • Midland Area Agency on Aging (Hastings): 402-463-4565
  • Northeast Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (Norfolk): 402-370-3454
  • South Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (Kearney): 308-234-1851
  • West Central Nebraska Area Agency on Aging (North Platte): 308-535-8195
  • Aging Office of Western Nebraska (Scottsbluff): 308-635-0851
• State aging office: The State Unit on Aging is part of DHHS. Main DHHS line: 402-471-3121 (TDD 1-800-833-7352).

How to apply

Check what you may qualify for