Free, plain-English help for seniors and families in Nebraska. Education, not advice. Verify before you rely on it.
Start here (works anywhere in Nebraska)
- 211 (dial 2-1-1), Eldercare Locator 1-800-677-1116, BenefitsCheckUp.org, Medicare 1-800-633-4227, Social Security 1-800-772-1213, VA 1-800-827-1000, Alzheimer's 24/7 Helpline 1-800-272-3900, National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-372-8311, Crisis Lifeline 988
Free Medicare counseling (Nebraska SHIP)
Nebraska's State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is administered by the Nebraska Department of Insurance (NDOI) and is paired with the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) for fraud awareness. SHIP counselors are trained and certified to provide free, objective Medicare help: plan comparisons, enrollment questions, billing disputes, and fraud reporting.
Statewide toll-free: 1-800-234-7119 Nebraska DOI SHIP/SMP page: doi.nebraska.gov/nebraska-ship-smp SHIP locator: shiphelp.org
Medicaid in Nebraska
The Nebraska Medicaid for Aged and Disabled program provides health coverage for seniors and people with disabilities who meet income and resource requirements. Nebraska's managed care program for adult Medicaid enrollees is called Heritage Health Adult.
How to apply:
- New applicants: iServe Nebraska (new online application portal)
- Existing case changes: ACCESSNebraska at access.ne.gov or visit a local Nebraska DHHS office
- Phone: call your local DHHS office (find locations at dhhs.ne.gov)
For seniors who wish to receive personal care services at home instead of in a nursing facility, Nebraska also offers the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver. Ask DHHS staff about waiver availability and waiting lists.
Nebraska DHHS Medicaid: dhhs.ne.gov
Prescription help
Nebraska does not operate a dedicated State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program (SPAP) for seniors. Options available to Nebraska seniors:
Medicare Extra Help (Low Income Subsidy): a federal program that significantly reduces Part D prescription costs for qualifying low-income Medicare beneficiaries. Apply through Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or ssa.gov.
BenefitsCheckUp.org: screens for pharmaceutical manufacturer patient assistance programs and other savings.
Nebraska SHIP counselors (1-800-234-7119) can help determine Extra Help eligibility at no cost.
Energy and utility help
Nebraska LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) is administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The program provides heating assistance, cooling assistance, and in some cases furnace or central air conditioner repair or replacement up to $750 for eligible households. Funding is 100% federal.
How to apply: if you have an active or pending DHHS Economic Assistance case, you can request LIHEAP without a new application. Otherwise, submit an application at your local DHHS office or online through ACCESSNebraska.
Crisis line (shut-off notice or loss of heat): 1-800-383-4278 Nebraska DHHS LIHEAP: dhhs.ne.gov/pages/energy-assistance.aspx
Property tax relief (Nebraska)
Nebraska Homestead Exemption, administered by the Nebraska Department of Revenue:
Nebraskans age 65 or older who own and occupy their home as a primary residence qualify for the Homestead Exemption. The program reduces or eliminates the property taxes owed on their primary residence.
2026 income limits for the age-65-and-older category (verified from the Nebraska Department of Revenue 2026 Income Table):
- Single owner: $37,000.99 or less for 100% relief
- Married or closely related owners: $43,400.99 or less for 100% relief
- Partial relief (90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, and 50%) is available at income levels above the full-relief threshold; contact the Nebraska DOR or your county assessor for the full table.
Property value limits also apply. The maximum eligible home value is the greater of 225% of the average assessed value of single-family residential property in your county or $110,000.
How to apply: file Nebraska Form 458 with your county assessor. The 2026 filing window is February 1 through June 30, 2026.
Nebraska DOR Homestead Exemption: revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption 2026 Form 458: available at revenue.nebraska.gov
Note: income and value limits are set annually in early February. Confirm current limits with your county assessor each year.
Food, in-home help, caregiver, transportation, and legal help
Nebraska has eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) covering the full state. Services delivered through the AAA network (funded in part by the Older Americans Act) include home-delivered meals, congregate meals at senior centers, in-home assistance, caregiver support, transportation, and legal services.
Nebraska Community Aging Services: state legislation appropriated $2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 to support nutrition, transportation, and in-home care support distributed through the eight AAAs.
Legal services through the AAA network include help with consumer rights, power of attorney, guardianship, and benefits advocacy for older adults.
Find your AAA: call the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or dial 211. Nebraska DHHS aging services: dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Area-Agencies-on-Aging-Benefit-Seniors.aspx
Frequently asked questions
What is Nebraska's SHIP program? Nebraska SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) provides free Medicare counseling through the Nebraska Department of Insurance. Counselors help with plan comparisons, enrollment, billing issues, and fraud prevention. Statewide toll-free: 1-800-234-7119.
Does Nebraska offer a property tax break for seniors? Yes. The Nebraska Homestead Exemption provides property tax relief for homeowners age 65 and older who meet income and property value limits. For 2026, single owners with income up to $37,000.99 qualify for 100% relief. File Form 458 with your county assessor between February 1 and June 30, 2026.
How do Nebraska seniors get help with heating bills? Through Nebraska LIHEAP, administered by the Nebraska DHHS. Apply at your local DHHS office or through ACCESSNebraska. For a shut-off emergency, call 1-800-383-4278. For general information: dhhs.ne.gov/pages/energy-assistance.aspx.
How does a Nebraska senior apply for Medicaid? New applicants apply through iServe Nebraska. Existing cases can be managed at ACCESSNebraska or a local DHHS office. The Nebraska Medicaid for Aged and Disabled program covers seniors who meet income and asset limits. Ask about the Aged and Disabled Medicaid Waiver if in-home services are needed.
Sources
- Nebraska SHIP/SMP (Nebraska Department of Insurance): https://doi.nebraska.gov/nebraska-ship-smp (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DHHS Medicaid Eligibility: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Medicaid-Eligibility.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DHHS LIHEAP: https://dhhs.ne.gov/pages/energy-assistance.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DOR Homestead Exemption: https://revenue.nebraska.gov/PAD/homestead-exemption (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DOR Tax Year 2026 Homestead Exemption news release: https://revenue.nebraska.gov/about/news-releases/tax-year-2026-homestead-exemption (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DOR 2026 Income Table: https://revenue.nebraska.gov/sites/default/files/doc/pad/homestead/2026%20Income%20Table.pdf (Verified June 11, 2026)
- Nebraska DHHS Area Agencies on Aging: https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/Area-Agencies-on-Aging-Benefit-Seniors.aspx (Verified June 11, 2026)
Ryan Riggins, NC Real Estate License #361546, eXp Realty. Riggins Strategic Solutions is an education and media company, not a real estate sales business. This is not financial, tax, medical, or legal advice. Income limits, rates, and deadlines change annually, confirm with the program or a licensed professional before acting.