What Nebraska offers people with disabilities

Nebraska runs several programs for people with disabilities, but they operate separately and serve different groups. Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are federal programs administered through Social Security, not by Nebraska itself. The state runs its own programs—chiefly Medicaid for people with disabilities, vocational rehabilitation through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and home and community-based services waivers that let people receive support while living outside institutions.

Which program you may be able to use depends on your work history, income, assets, and the kind of support you need. Someone who worked before becoming disabled will likely pursue SSDI through Social Security. Someone with no work history or very limited income may look at SSI. Someone who wants to work again might contact vocational rehabilitation. Someone who needs daily personal care or nursing support might pursue a Medicaid waiver. These paths often overlap—you can receive SSDI and Medicaid at the same time, for example—but they are run by different agencies with different rules.

Key Takeaways

  • SSDI and SSI are federal programs run by Social Security, not by Nebraska, but Nebraska administers Medicaid for people with disabilities and determines who is medically disabled under state rules.
  • The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation helps people with disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs, and does not require you to be receiving SSDI or SSI first.
  • Nebraska Medicaid covers people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits, and many people on SSDI automatically may have access to once they have received SSDI for 24 months.
  • Home and community-based services waivers let you receive personal care, nursing, or other support while living at home or in a community setting rather than in a facility, but waiting lists exist and vary by region.
  • Work incentives under federal law let you earn money and still keep Medicaid and SSDI, but the rules are complex and change based on how much you earn.

SSDI and SSI: The federal programs

You file for SSDI or SSI through Social Security, not through any Nebraska office. SSDI is for people who worked long enough before becoming disabled; SSI is for people with very low income and assets, regardless of work history. Both require Social Security to find you medically disabled under the same federal definition—you must have a condition that prevents you from doing substantial work and is expected to last at least 12 months or result in death.

Social Security processes these claims from its regional office in Omaha, but you can file online at ssa.gov, by phone at 1-800-772-1213, or in person at any Social Security office. The process typically takes three to six months for an initial decision, though many people are denied the first time and must request reconsideration or a hearing before an administrative law judge.

Once you are receiving SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months. If you are receiving SSI, you are usually may be able to access for Nebraska Medicaid right away. Both programs have work incentives that let you earn money without losing your entire benefit—this is covered separately below.

Nebraska Medicaid for people with disabilities

Nebraska Medicaid covers medical care for people with disabilities who meet income and asset limits. The income limit varies depending on which category you fall into. If you are receiving SSI, Nebraska Medicaid covers you automatically. If you are receiving SSDI, you become may be able to access for Medicaid after 24 months of SSDI payments. If you are not receiving either benefit, you may still be able to get Medicaid under the Medicaid Buy-In for Workers with Disabilities, which lets you keep Medicaid while earning more than the usual SSI income limit.

You explore for Medicaid through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. You can explore online at dhhs.ne.gov, by mail, or in person at your local health and human services office. The state processes applications within 30 days in most cases.

Medicaid in Nebraska covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescription drugs, mental health services, and long-term care. It does not cover everything—dental care, vision care, and hearing aids have limits or are not covered—so you may want to ask about what is covered before you need it.

Vocational rehabilitation and return-to-work support

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, part of Nebraska's Department of Education and Workforce, helps people with disabilities prepare for work, find jobs, and stay employed. You do not need to be receiving SSDI or SSI to use this service. The division can pay for training, education, assistive technology, job coaching, and other supports that help you work.

To work with vocational rehabilitation, you contact your local office directly. The division has offices in Lincoln, Omaha, and other cities. A counselor will meet with you, assess your work history and interests, and develop a plan. If you are found to have a significant disability that creates a substantial barrier to work, the division may fund your plan. The process is free.

Vocational rehabilitation also coordinates with work incentives under federal law. If you are receiving SSDI or SSI and working, you can report your earnings to Social Security without losing your entire benefit. The rules are complex—you have a trial work period, an extended may be able to access period, and other protections—but vocational rehabilitation counselors understand these rules and can help you navigate them.

Home and community-based services waivers

If you need daily personal care, nursing, or other support to live at home or in a community setting, you may be able to receive it through a Medicaid waiver. Nebraska runs several waivers, each serving a different group: the Developmental Disabilities Waiver for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, the Physical Disabilities Waiver for people with physical disabilities, and others. These waivers let you receive services that Medicaid would normally only cover in a nursing home or institution, but in your own home or apartment instead.

Waiver services can include personal care information, nursing, therapy, day programs, supported employment, and respite care. You must be may be able to access for Medicaid and meet the medical necessity criteria for your waiver. Most waivers have waiting lists because demand exceeds funding. The wait time varies by region and by waiver—some are months, some are years. You can be on a waiting list while you work or while you are in school.

You explore for a waiver through the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The department will assess whether you meet medical necessity and place you on the waiting list if you do. You can contact your local health and human services office or call the department's waiver hotline for information about current wait times and openings.

Work incentives and how they affect your benefits

If you are receiving SSDI or SSI and you work, federal law protects part of your earnings so you do not lose your entire benefit when ready. These protections are called work incentives. The most important ones are the trial work period (nine months in a rolling 60-month window where you can earn any amount without losing SSDI), the extended may be able to access periodStudent Earned Income Exclusion (if you are under 22 and a student, you can exclude up to $2,110 per month in earnings, up to $8,440 per year).

SSI has different rules. You can exclude the first $65 of monthly earnings plus half of the rest, so you can earn some money before your SSI payment is reduced. You also have a Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS), which lets you set aside income and resources for a work goal without losing SSI.

These rules change based on how much you earn and when you report it. Many people find them confusing and make mistakes that cost them benefits. If you are working or thinking about working, contact Social Security's work incentives planning project or ask your vocational rehabilitation counselor to help you understand how your earnings will affect your benefits before you start.

How to contact Nebraska disability programs

Social Security (SSDI and SSI): Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit ssa.gov. The Omaha office is at 6401 Maple Street, Omaha, NE 68104.

Nebraska Medicaid: Contact the Department of Health and Human Services at dhhs.ne.gov or call your local health and human services office. You can find your local office on the department's website.

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation: Visit nde.ne.gov/vocational-rehabilitation or call 402-471-3644. The main office is in Lincoln, but the division has regional offices across the state.

Medicaid waivers: Contact the Department of Health and Human Services at dhhs.ne.gov or call your local health and human services office. Ask specifically about waiting lists and current openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get both SSDI and vocational rehabilitation at the same time?

Yes. Vocational rehabilitation does not require you to be on SSDI, and receiving SSDI does not prevent you from using vocational rehabilitation. In fact, the two programs often work together. If you are on SSDI and want to work, vocational rehabilitation can help you prepare, and Social Security's work incentives protect your benefits while you earn.

How long is the waiting list for a Medicaid waiver in Nebraska?

Wait times vary by waiver and by region. Some waivers have short waits; others have waiting lists of several years. You can find current wait times by contacting your local health and human services office or calling the Department of Health and Human Services. You can be on a waiting list while you work or attend school.

If I am on SSDI, do I automatically get Medicaid?

No. You become may be able to access for Medicare after 24 months of SSDI. Medicaid may be able to access depends on your income and assets. Many people on SSDI may have access to for Medicaid, but you must explore separately. Contact your local health and human services office to find out whether you meet Nebraska's income and asset limits.

What happens to my benefits if I start working?

It depends on how much you earn and which benefit you are receiving. SSDI has a trial work period where you can earn any amount for nine months without losing your benefit. SSI reduces your payment by 50 cents for every dollar you earn above $65 per month. Both programs have other protections. Before you start working, contact Social Security or a work incentives planning project to understand how your specific earnings will affect your benefits.

Can I appeal if Social Security denies my SSDI or SSI claim?

Yes. You have the right to request reconsideration, then a hearing before an administrative law judge, then an appeal to the Appeals Council, then federal court. You must request reconsideration within 60 days of the denial. Many people are denied initially and approved on appeal, especially if they have new medical evidence or representation from a disability advocate or attorney.