Help in Nebraska
For people starting over after prison, foster care, treatment, homelessness, abuse, or trafficking
We've verified 20 places in Nebraska, most of them in Omaha and Lincoln, plus 9 that serve the whole state. The most help we've found here is for people leaving homelessness (13) and after prison or jail (12).
Nebraska 211
Free information and referral line covering Nebraska for food, shelter, utility help, transportation, legal and disaster services. Dial 2-1-1, call the toll-free number, text your ZIP code, or use live chat from 7 am to 10 pm daily.
NDCS Reentry Services
State prison reentry planning built on the 5-Key Model. A reentry specialist meets each person within 14 days of incarceration and again at 18 months, 6 months and 30 days before release to work on identification, housing, employment, medical and mental health care, transportation and family reunification.
Bridge to Independence (b2i)
Voluntary extended support for young adults ages 19 to 21 who are leaving Nebraska foster care. Participants get a caseworker, a monthly payment, and health coverage through Medicaid or the ACA if eligible. Apply with the B2I application form; if you are still in care, ask your case manager.
Siena Francis House
Nebraska's largest homeless services provider, running six buildings at 17th and Nicholas in downtown Omaha. Emergency shelter, meals, clothing, case management, a health clinic, permanent supportive housing, veteran services, and the Miracles addiction treatment and recovery program.
Open Door Mission
Gospel rescue mission in north Omaha with 917 shelter beds across the Garland Thompson Men's Center and Lydia House for women and families. Walk in for men's shelter; call ahead for women and families. Also serves three free hot meals daily at the Hospitality Center, runs the New Life Recovery Program and a 90-day Next Step halfway house for men in early recovery, and offers GED tutoring and job coaching.
Stephen Center
South Omaha campus with the Pettigrew Emergency Shelter, which keeps families together, the HERO short- and long-term treatment program for substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, and permanent supportive housing with case management for people facing high barriers. Call to ask about entering any program.
Safe Haven
Concealed emergency shelter for people fleeing domestic violence or sexual assault in the Omaha area. Reach the 24-hour line to ask about space; the location is not public.
Sanctuary House
Emergency shelter operated by Heartland Family Service in Omaha. Call or text the 24-hour line to check on a bed. The agency's main office is at 2101 S 42nd St.
Women's Center for Advancement (WCA)
Free, confidential help for anyone in the Omaha area experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking. Survivor advocacy, support groups and classes. The crisis hotline answers around the clock; a separate information line is available for non-emergencies.
Voices of Hope
Lincoln crisis intervention and advocacy for people of all genders harmed by domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, trafficking, incest or childhood abuse. The crisis line is staffed 24 hours; the office keeps weekday hours for appointments and walk-ins.
Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence
Statewide membership coalition that does not provide direct services but maintains the Find Help directory of local Nebraska programs offering emergency shelter, transportation, legal and medical advocacy, and 24-hour helplines. Interpreters and translated documents are available on request.
Legal Aid of Nebraska AccessLine
Free civil legal help for Nebraskans with limited income, including housing, benefits, protection orders and the Clean Slate Project for sealing dismissed charges and setting aside convictions. Call the AccessLine during its limited phone hours or apply online through LawHelpNE; no walk-ins.
CenterPointe
Lincoln provider of outpatient and residential substance use and mental health treatment, primary care, street outreach, and 247 housing units. Walk-in crisis counseling on weekdays and a crisis line answered 24 hours. Sliding fee scale.
Keya House Warmline
Peer-run mental health and recovery support in Lincoln. Keya House and Honu Home each operate a 24-hour peer warmline; MHA also runs peer-led housing programs, WRAP groups and supported employment. Call a warmline to talk or ask about programs.
Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach
Open-door hunger relief and outreach center in north Lincoln serving hot lunch and dinner every day of the year, a food pantry four days a week, free substance use evaluations and counseling, weekly AA meetings, and a housing program for individuals and families.
People's City Mission
Lincoln's main emergency shelter at 110 Q Street, serving the city since 1907, with meals, a free medical clinic for uninsured residents at 401 N 2nd St, and a Homeless Prevention Center at 26th and O providing food, clothing and household goods. Safe Place sites give runaway and homeless youth immediate help.
Nebraska Refugee Resettlement Program
State office coordinating services for newly arrived refugees: cash and medical assistance for up to eight months for those not eligible for other programs, health screening within 90 days, and employment and ESL services for five years through Lutheran Family Services, Refugee Empowerment Center, Catholic Social Services and Lincoln Literacy.
iServe Nebraska (ACCESSNebraska)
Nebraska's portal for applying for SNAP, Medicaid and other economic assistance. Apply online at iserve.nebraska.gov or call the Omaha, Lincoln or statewide toll-free lines during business hours; an automated benefit inquiry line runs 24 hours.
Nebraska Vital Records
State office for certified Nebraska birth certificates. Order online at nevitalrecords-dhhs.ne.gov, by mail with a $17 check or money order payable to Vital Records, or visit the first floor of the State Office Building in Lincoln. A no-fee certificate is available for voting ID purposes with proof of identity.
Nebraska State ID Card
Free state identification card for any Nebraska resident who is a U.S. citizen; non-citizens pay $10 to $29 depending on card length. Apply in person at any Driver Licensing Office with proof of citizenship or lawful status, two proofs of Nebraska address, and a verifiable Social Security number.
National lines that work in Nebraska
SAMHSA National Helpline
Free, confidential treatment referral for substance use and mental health. Finds local programs that take your insurance or none.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988 for any mental health or substance use crisis. Available to anyone in any program.
Lifeline free phone program
Free or discounted phone and service for people on Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, or low income. Apply online or through a carrier.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
24/7 confidential hotline for survivors of trafficking and people who suspect it. Connects to vetted local services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
24/7 confidential help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Advocates connect you to local shelters and legal help.
Start right where you are
Each program has a step-by-step checklist for the first 72 hours, 30 days, and 90 days, so you always know your next step.