Community Resources
Below you will find links to community resources assisting with everything from housing, food, and income stability, to health and COVID-19 related questions. A few are PDF resources you can download directly, but the majority are links to other sources. All resources can be accessed by clicking on the name in bright blue.
Jump to:
Housing
Employment
Income Stability
Food, Clothing and Household
Legal
Technology and Internet Access
Utilities
Mind and Body Wellness
Parenting and Education
Religious and Spiritual Needs
Student Transportation and Moving
Undocumented Communities
Veteran and Military Services
Voting
Miscellaneous
COVID-19 Forbearance Plan Request Form
If you are a Habitat Omaha homeowner or Home Repair Program client experiencing a hardship resulting from COVID-19 that has impacted your ability to make regular monthly mortgage/Home Repair loan payments, you may be eligible for a possible Forbearance Plan.
Beginning the week of April 13, most households will receive a stimulus payment from the federal government as part of their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. If possible, Habitat Omaha homeowners and Home Repair clients should consider setting aside a portion of that money to pay their mortgage or Home Repair loan in the coming months. Budgeting and planning during this time are essential; setting aside at least two months of mortgage payments may relieve some of the financial stress that we are all experiencing.
Housing
Metro Area Continuum of Care for the Homeless (MACCH) – Omaha
Phone: 402-980-8394
Connection point for resources for those experiencing homelessness.
Eastern Nebraska Community Action Partnership (ENCAP) – Nebraska
Phone: 402-453-5656 ext. 223
Offers mortgage assistance, SNAP application assistance, crisis management and mental health services.
United Way of the Midlands’ Housing Stability Program – Nebraska/Iowa
Beginning April 15, 2020, 211 Helpline specialists will take applications for rental or mortgage assistance (one-time amount up to $1,500 paid to the landlord or mortgage company). Residents must be 19+ years of age and live in Nebraska or these counties in southwest Iowa: Pottawattamie, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Shelby, Cass, Montgomery, Fremont and Page.
Applicants will need to provide the following information to determine eligibility:
- A lease or monthly mortgage statement;
- Most recent paystub and/or letter from employer; and
- Other supporting documentation.
Douglas County CARES Rental Assistance Program – Omaha
Beginning July 27, 2020, Douglas County residents can apply to receive funds to assist with unpaid rent due to a COVID-19 related hardship. Funds will be issued in the form of a grant and will be paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the applicant.
Applicants will need to provide the following documentation:
- Photo ID
- Demonstration of financial hardship in the form of a pay stub(s) or income documentation, an unemployment document, furlough letter, or letter from employer showing reduction of hours/wages due to COVID-19
- Copy of current lease
- Verification from landlord stating amount/month(s) rent is owed or Notice to Vacate or Eviction
- Completed W-9 from the landlord
- Statement from landlord stating will not evict for nonpayment for the months of assistance received through the COVID-19 DC Rental Assistance Program
Family Housing Advisory Services (FHAS) – Omaha/Council Bluffs
Mortgage assistance funds available for community members experiencing financial difficulty.
- North Omaha office: 402-934-7921
- South Omaha office: 402-546-1013
- Council Bluffs, IA office: 712-322-4436
Employment
Employers hiring during COVID-19 – PDF
Comprehensive list by Heartland Workforce Solutions.
Short and long-term unemployment – Nebraska
File for unemployment insurance benefits online through Nebraska Department of Labor.
COVID-19 Common Employment Questions – PDF
Nebraska Department of Labor
Income Stability
Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here
IRS tool for non-filers to provide additional information to receive the Economic Impact Payment (if eligible).
Receiving an Economic Impact Payment Electronically
FDIC resources to open a bank account remotely.
Lending Link – Omaha
Assisting community members with any type of financial need, including paying rent, bills, utilities, food, etc. In-person meeting required to determine need and verify identity.
Make an appointment: call 402-557-5965 or email info@lendinglinkomaha.org.
Foundation for LPS – Lincoln
Grants for students and their families.
NE DHHS Emergency Assistance – Nebraska
Monetary assistance (restrictions apply)
NE DHHS Temporary Assistance to Needy Families – Nebraska/United States
Temporary monetary assistance; federal guidelines apply.
Nebraska Department of Labor – Nebraska
Unemployment/short and long term.
File for unemployment insurance benefits online.
United Way – Nebraska/Iowa
Grants for those impacted/other directories for service.
United States BG National Charity Foundation – Nebraska
Bartender and service industry grant.
Food, Clothing and Household Donations
Food Resources by Zip Code – PDF, Nebraska/Iowa
Local Food Sources Available for Residents and Businesses – PDF
List of locally sourced food options and food-related programs. Greater Omaha.
People’s City Mission – Lincoln
Clothing, food, household items/supplies as allowed.
Intercultural Senior Center’s Senior Food Pantry – Omaha
Food pantry services for adults aged 50 and up every weekday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Language assistance in Spanish, English, Karen, Karenni, Nepali, Burmese and Arabic is available.
Project Hope Food Pantry – Omaha
6201 N. 60th St.
Omaha, NE 68104
Call for hours: (402) 453-7649
St. Vincent De Paul Food Pantry – Omaha
2101 Leavenworth St.
Omaha, NE 68102
Call for hours: (402) 341-1689
The Salvation Army Grand Island – Grand Island
Clothing, food, household items/supplies as allowed.
Food Bank for the Heartland – Nebraska/Iowa
Food donations
To find Nebraska food locations, please call the Food Bank at 1-855-444-5556. To find Iowa food locations, please call the Food Bank at 1-855-944-3663.
FoodNet Lincoln – Nebraska
Food donations
Free Food Messiah Lutheran Community Meal – Grand Island
Free meals
Food Bank of Lincoln – Lincoln
Food donations
Lincoln Public Schools Meals – Lincoln
Meal access for LPS students
Matt Tallbot Kitchen and Outreach – Lincoln
Food donations, Boxed “to-go” meals will be provided from:
11:00 am–1:00 pm and 5:00–6:30 pm, Monday–Friday
11:30 am–12:30 pm and 5:30–6:30 pm, Saturday and Sunday
MyLNK – Lincoln
Food donations
Project Hunger – Grand Island
Food donations, follow them on Facebook for updates
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – United States
National food assistance program, federal guidelines apply
Legal
Legal Aid – Nebraska
Promotes justice, dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency through quality civil legal aid for those who have nowhere else to turn.
Call for assistance toll-free:
- Statewide Accessline®: 1-877-250-2016
- Elderaccessline® (AGE 60+): 1-800-527-7249
- Native American Accessline®: 1-800-729-9908
Technology and Internet Access
Allo – United States
Free Wi-Fi for 60 days.
Cox Internet – United States
Connect2Compete is a low-cost internet program for qualifying homes.
Internet Essentials – United States
Low-cost internet access
Lifeline – United States
Qualify to lower phone/internet bill; federal program
Lincoln Public Schools – Lincoln
Chromebook access for LPS students.
Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program – Nebraska
Low-cost phone service for qualifying homes.
Spectrum/Charter – United States
Free Wi-Fi for 60 days.
Utilities
Black Hills Energy – Crete, Grand Island, Lincoln, Omaha
Phone: 1-888-890-5554
Currently suspending power disconnections. Call to set up a payment plan.
Dollar Energy Fund – Nebraska
Grants available to assist with utility service; apply online.
LES – Lincoln
Phone: 402-475-4211
Currently suspending power disconnections. Call to set up a payment plan.
Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) – Omaha
Phone: 402-554-6666 or toll-free at 800-732-5864
Currently suspending power disconnections; call to set up a payment plan.
MyLNK Rent & Utility Assistance – Lincoln
Rent and utility assistance
NE DHHS Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program – Nebraska/United States
Assistance for energy; restrictions apply, see income/family guidelines on their webpage.
Nebraska Telephone Assistance Program – Nebraska
Low-cost phone service for qualifying homes.
OPPD – Omaha
Phone: 402-536-4131 in Omaha, or 1-877-536-4131
Currently suspending power disconnections. Call to set up a payment plan.
Mind and Body Wellness
Bryan Health ezVisit – Nebraska/Online
Virtual care
CHI Health Virtual Care – Nebraska
Phone or video chat health care, no appointment necessary.
Yoga Daily free app – Online
Headspace – Online, App
Free meditation online or download app
HHS Ways to Be Active – Online
Creative ways to get more steps and increase physical activity.
In the Rooms – Online
Virtual addiction recovery meetings.
NE DHHS COVID-19 Hotline – Nebraska
Phone: 402-552-6645
8am-8pm CST, 7 days/week.
NIH Delicious Heart Healthy Eating – Online
Simple, healthy, and delicious recipes backed by science.
Nike Training Club free app – Online
Psychology Today: Find a Therapist – Online
Enter zip code to find a mental health therapist near you.
Smiling Mind – Online
Mindfulness resource with info on supporting each other through COVID-19.
United StatesDA – Choose My Plate – Online
Dietary guidelines and tools.
Free Yoga Practice – Online
Parenting and Education
275+ Enrichment Activities – Online
List of activities to do with your kids at home.
Amazing Educational Resources – Online
List of education companies offering free subscriptions.
Babbel – Online
Babbel is a language learning site and is currently offering 3 months FREE for students and educators!
Community for Interactive Learning and Collaboration – Online
9:30-3:30 ET Free of Charge
Interactive live content for young students, register by grade level.
Library Resources: Open Access – Online
More than 6000 ebooks and 150 journals you can access for free.
Living Room Learning – Online
UNL 4-H living room learning sessions; youth do not need to be 4-H members to participate.
NSEA Nebraska Strong Learning Lab – Online
Live programming for elementary students from 9-11 am and secondary students 1-3 pm, Monday to Friday, beginning March 23rd.
Virtual Museum Tours, Performances, and Tutorials – Online
List of tours, performances, and tutorials to do with your kids (or by yourself) during self-quarantine.
Religious and Spiritual Needs
Religion Crash Course app – Online
This app has “decks” of flashcards to help you learn the basics about some of the world’s major religious traditions. It’s a great opportunity to learn some more about the religious diversity among us!
Insight Timer and Prana Heart apps – Online
Two free apps that offer breathing exercises, mindfulness exercises, and guided meditation.
A Place to Begin – Online
This is a practice challenge meditation for the current COVID-19 situation, shared by Spiritual Directors International.
Online Religious Services
First-Plymouth Church (UCC) – Lincoln/Online
Live stream church services.
For assistance finding another available religious service, please contact the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at leah.rediger@doane.edu or (402) 826-8118.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Catholic) – Crete/Online
Live stream masses available in English and Spanish; lunchtime chats with Father Steve Major.
Three Cranes Grove (Pagan, Druid) – United States/Online
Recording of a Spring Equinox Ritual; more to be posted in the coming weeks.
Congregation B’nai Jeshurun/South Street Temple (Reform Jewish) – Lincoln/Online
Live stream services on Fri. evenings at 6:30 pm and Sat. mornings at 9:30 am. Check their website for additional online meeting opportunities, such as Torah study.
Berean Church (Non-denominational Christian) – Crete
Please contact the church email at office@creteberean.org to be included in the weekly Digital Church email list.
Spiritual Direction – Rev. Kathryn Campbell (First-Plymouth Church/UCC) – Lincoln
Offers spiritual direction from a Christian or Interfaith perspective. Lincoln Spiritual direction is a one-on-one meeting with a spiritual mentor for a mentally healthy person seeking spiritual support or guidance, and one who journeys with you on your spiritual path. The spiritual directors listed here have generously offered one or more free sessions to members of our Doane community. Please contact the Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at leah.rediger@doane.edu or (402) 826-8118 for their availability and contact information.
Student Transportation and Moving
Enterprise Car Rental
Reducing the age minimum and waiving the young renter (<25 years old) fees. Available to college students 18 to 24 years of age. Standard driver and credit requirements apply; see restrictions.
Offer expires 5/31/20.
U-Haul Storage
30 days free self-storage offer for new customers with college IDs.
Undocumented Communities
Betancourt Macias Family Scholarship Foundation – Online
A collection of crowd-sourced resources to assist undocumented individuals and families impacted by COVID-19.
Veteran/Military Services
Douglas Veteran Service Office – Omaha
Address: 1111 South 41st Suite 110, Omaha, NE 68105
Phone: 402-444-7180
County service office: military-connected students can contact to find resources.
MyLNK – Lincoln
Various military and veteran resources.
VA Debt Management Center – Nebraska
Phone: 1-800-827-0648
Veterans can call Debt Management Center for assistance if COVID-19 is affecting their ability to repay their debt to the VA.
VA Health Care – Nebraska
Questions regarding VA Health Care; Questions about coronavirus and health care and how this may affect your current VA appointments.
VA Housing Assistance – Nebraska
Homeless or at risk of becoming homeless; Apply or manage Veterans housing assistance benefits.
Vet Center – Lincoln
Phone: 402-476-9736
Veteran Outreach; Speak to a Vet Center Counselor. Help finding additional resources.
Veteran Service Office – Grand Island
Address: 131 S Locust Street, Grand Island, NE 68802
Phone: 308-385-5065
County service office; military-connected students can contact to find resources.
Veterans Benefits Administration – Nebraska
Phone: 1-888-442-4551
Questions regarding GI Bill benefits; Students may call if they have any questions or concerns regarding Education benefits.
BVCA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program – Nebraska/Iowa
Phone: 402-587-0050
Emergency housing assistance for veterans experiencing financial challenges.
Voting in Nebraska
Early Voting Information – Nebraska
Apply for an early-voting ballot and understand the process.
Voter Registration Portal – Nebraska
To vote in the 2020 general election, you must be registered by no later than October 16, 2020 if registering by mail, online, at a community agency, library, DMV office, at a community event by deputy registrar. October 23, 2020 at 6 p.m. is the cutoff for walk-in registration at the Douglas County Election Commission office, 12220 W Center Road, Omaha.
Guide to Voting by Mail in Douglas County – Nebraska
By the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha
Miscellaneous
Educational videos in multiple languages about Covid-19 – Online
Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska
211 Helpline – Nebraska/SW Iowa
Need help, but not sure where to turn? Call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 898211 to get in touch with a helpline specialist today. *Not able to assist with medical questions regarding COVID-19.
Shelter and housing, behavioral health, senior services, family support, financial assistance and education, and much more.
Family plans and kits – Online
Department of Homeland Security