Social Security Benefits in Nebraska: Help from Three Agencies

When people cannot work, have no long term disability coverage, and their health insurance has run out, they will need to look to all three levels of government for help.

AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL

SSDI and SSI are the two main programs for people who can't work because of illness or injury. SSDI covers workers who have paid into the system; SSI covers workers who have not paid the FICA tax, or children or adults who have never worked. SSDI has no income or resource guidelines; SSI is for people whose income or resources fall below certain limits.

Apply at: Social Security Administration

7100 West Center Road

AT THE STATE LEVEL

In Nebraska, the Department of Health and Human Services (NHHS) handles two programs for poor people who can't work and who have been declared eligible for SSDI and SSI, the federal programs, handled by the Social Security Administration.

Once someone gets federal benefits, the NHHS supplements the federal help by giving a small check, called Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD), and Medicaid.

Medicaid is more important to most people than AABD. People should apply at NHHS for Medicaid right away. Why? Because, even if it takes Social Security many months to find someone "disabled" and eligible for SSDI or SSI, once this happens, NHHS will back date the Medicaid coverage, and old bills can be resubmitted to the medical providers for payment by Medicaid.

Apply at: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services; call 595-3400 for time and place of appointment.

AT THE COUNTY LEVEL

If people get turned down by Social Security and have to appeal, it may be several months before they get help. To pay for very basic housing and non-food items, they should apply at their county general assistance office for shelter and medical help.

In Douglas County this is at:

1201 South 42^nd Street