If you are a low-income family struggling to pay your bills, or know one that needs help, there are several services available that can provide guidance and assistance.
Since I live in the Omaha, Nebraska area, many of the services listed in this article are relevant to this area. Others are not location specific. However, no matter where you live, there are similar services available. You can obtain the information for your area through internet searches or simply by asking people you know.
Help with the cost of prescriptions
- Partnership for Prescription Assistance: http://www.pparx.org
- Needy Meds: http://www.needymeds.org
- You can also contact the company that manufactures your medicine to inquire if they have any programs available.
Medical services
Many areas have free or low-cost medical clinics and community health centers. For the Omaha area: http://freeclinicdirectory.org/nebraska_care/douglas_ne_county.html
Employment services
- State of Nebraska Employment First: 402-471-6661.
http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Pages/wer_werindex.aspx - Goodwill Industries: http://www.goodwill.org/find-jobs-and-services/
Housing services
- Omaha Low Income Housing: http://www.lowincomehousing.us/NE/Omaha.html
- Omaha Planning Department — Housing & Community Development
http://www.cityofomaha.org/planning/hcd/programs-and-services/homeless-services
http://www.ohauthority.org/public-housing
Help with cost of utilities
- OPPD: 402-636-2000.
http://www.needhelppayingbills.com/html/omaha_public_power_district_as.html - MUD: 402-504-7002. http://www.icantpaymybill.com/mud-bill
- Check with your Internet service provider to see if you can get Internet services at a reduced cost. Some ISPs have special services available for families whose children qualify for free or reduced school lunches.
- State-funded energy assistance:
http://dhhs.ne.gov/children_family_services/Pages/fia_energy.aspx
Church-affiliated services
- Catholic Charities: 402-554-0520. http://www.ccomaha.org
- Open Door Mission: 402-422-1111. http://www.opendoormission.org
- Salvation Army: http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/
- Stephen Center: http://www.stephencenter.org/
Legal assistance
- Legal Aid in Nebraska: http://nebraskaccess.ne.gov/legalaid.asp
- Check with the law schools in your area. They may offer free or low-cost legal services.
Nebraska government programs
http://www.benefits.gov/benefits/browse-by-state/state/NE
- Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
- Head Start
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
- Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program
- Medical Assistance Program
- Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
- Summer Food Service
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
- Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
Youth services
- Youth Emergency Services (YES): http://www.yesomaha.org
- Safe Place Hotline: 402-578-SAFE
- Project Everlast provides services to youth who have aged out of the foster care system: http://www.projecteverlast.org/
