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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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Nebraska · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you're an older Nebraskan — or you're the son, daughter, or friend trying to help one — and paid senior living just isn't affordable, please know there is real help out there, and much of it is free. Running out of savings doesn't mean running out of options.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-844-843-6364Your single front door to aging help. They connect you to your local Area Agency on Aging and to services near you.
Many families never make the call because they assume they won't qualify, or they dread the paperwork. But the people staffing Nebraska's aging programs help folks in exactly your shoes every single day, and they're kind about it. These are programs your taxes already fund. Using them is exactly what they're for.
This page gathers Nebraska's most useful resources into one plain-language place. Read the whole thing or skip to what you need. When you're ready, start with the three numbers below.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Most people would rather stay home than move to a facility, and Nebraska Medicaid can help through Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS).
Ask about the Aged and Disabled Waiver, or bring it up when you apply for Medicaid. Waiver slots can be limited, so it's smart to ask early.
Nebraska Medicaid delivers most benefits through Heritage Health, its managed-care system. It covers doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, behavioral health, and — key for seniors — long-term care, including nursing facilities and home-based services through waivers.
Who qualifies? It depends on your income, assets, and care needs. Nebraska expanded Medicaid, so more adults qualify on income alone, and there are separate rules for seniors and for long-term care. The exact income and asset limits change each year, so please don't count yourself out based on a number you saw online. Call and let them check — it costs nothing.
Apply online through ACCESSNebraska, by phone, or at a local DHHS office.
For help confirming a Medicaid application or checking your eligibility status.
PACE combines all your medical care, prescriptions, and in-home support into one program so you can keep living at home instead of moving to a nursing home. In Nebraska, PACE is offered by Immanuel Pathways, serving the Omaha area and parts of eastern Nebraska (with additional locations in the state).
Ask whether PACE serves your area and whether you qualify.
Ask whether PACE is available where you live.
National PACE Association — find a PACE program
Search for PACE programs near you.
If you're on Medicare
If you have Medicare and a limited income, you may be overpaying. Two programs help:
Apply through Nebraska Medicaid or ACCESSNebraska.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
A SHIP counselor can help you apply for Medicare Savings Programs — free.
Medicare is genuinely confusing, and Nebraska has trained counselors who help for free and don't sell anything. It's called SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program), run through the Nebraska Department of Insurance.
SHIP counselors can help you understand Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D, compare drug and Advantage plans at open enrollment, untangle bills and coverage denials, and find programs that lower your costs.
The same program includes the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP), which helps you spot and report Medicare fraud and scams.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling from trained volunteers through the Nebraska Department of Insurance. No sales pitch, ever.
If you need help finding SHIP counselors outside Nebraska, the national SHIP locator can help.
Everyday essentials
Apply through ACCESSNebraska or by phone. Many seniors qualify without realizing it.
Home-delivered meals and senior dining sites through your Area Agency on Aging.
The Food Bank of Lincoln, Food Bank for the Heartland (Omaha), and local pantries offer free groceries. Dial 211 to find one near you.
If housing costs are a strain, these can help:
Dial 211 for local rent, utility, and housing assistance.
Public Housing and Section 8
Reduced-rent options for low-income seniors through your local housing authority.
LIHEAP
Helps with heating and cooling bills. Apply through DHHS/ACCESSNebraska or call 211.
Can point you to senior housing in your area.
Guidance & protection
Nebraska is covered by eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), each serving a region. They're your local source for senior meals, transportation, caregiver support, in-home help, and guidance from people who know your area.
One call connects you to the Area Agency on Aging that serves your region.
The state office overseeing Nebraska's Area Agencies on Aging.
A free national service that connects you to local aging services.
Free civil legal help for people with low incomes.
A dedicated free legal line for older Nebraskans in all 93 counties.
Call DHHS if you suspect an older adult is being abused, neglected, or exploited.
If you or someone you love lives in a nursing home or assisted-living facility and something is wrong — poor care, lost dignity, unfair treatment — the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate who works for the resident.
A free, confidential advocate for residents of long-term care facilities. Find your local ombudsman through theconsumervoice.org.
A real person who can connect you to nearly any kind of local help.
A free national service that links you to aging help in your area.
Call the ADRC at 1-844-843-6364. Describe your situation and ask what you may qualify for. This single call opens the most doors.
Call for free1-844-843-6364Nebraska Medicaid is free or low-cost health coverage for people with limited income; Heritage Health is the managed-care system that delivers most benefits. For seniors, Medicaid is the main way to pay for long-term care, at home or in a facility.
Generally, no. Medicare covers medical care and only short skilled-nursing stays after a hospital visit. For ongoing long-term care, Medicaid is the program that helps — so it's worth checking your eligibility.
Yes. These programs are built for people on fixed and limited incomes. Social Security counts as income, but many seniors on Social Security still qualify. Don't assume you earn "too much" — call and let them check.
Quite possibly. Medicare Savings Programs can cover your Part B premium (about $185/month) and sometimes more. Call 1-855-632-7633 or ask SHIP at 1-800-234-7119.
That's what the Aged and Disabled Waiver — and PACE, where available — is for. Call the ADRC at 1-844-843-6364 to ask. Apply early, since slots can be limited.
Yes, for free. Call the ADRC at 1-844-843-6364 or dial 211, explain your situation, and let them guide you. That's exactly what they do.
Asking for help takes courage, not weakness. These programs exist because Nebraskans believe older people deserve care and dignity regardless of what's in the bank. Make one call today and take it one step at a time. Help is closer than you think.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.