Have you been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?
Check out these resources and let your CYI Coach or local Central Navigator know how you've been impacted. They can help you navigate all there is available to support you - no matter where you live in Nebraska.
Uplifting Stories of Hope
Nebraska Pandemic Foster Care
What is it?
Nebraska Pandemic Foster Care Program assists young adults who have successfully exited out of the Bridge to Independence (B2i) Program due to turning age 21 between January 27, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Young adults may receive similar support they received while in B2i such as case management and a monthly financial stipend in the amount of $806.95 and can choose to receive services from DHHS or CYI.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you are a young adult in Nebraska that exited B2i at age 21 between January 27, 2020, and September 30, 2021. Young adults who were terminated from the B2i program before they turned 21 are not eligible for Pandemic Foster Care.
How do I access it?
Visit this FAQ to learn more! Questions? Please email: DHHS.PandemicFosterCare@Nebraska.gov
Older Youth Relief Fund
What is it?
Nebraska young adults currently between the ages of 23 and 27 - that were in foster care or Tribal court between the ages 14 and 19 – may be eligible for cash assistance in the form of a one-time relief stipend through September 30, 2021.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible if you are between the ages of 22 and 27 and previously spent time in foster care after the age of 14.
How do I access it?
Unfortunately, this opportunity ended on September 30, 2021. However, information will be updated when relief funds become available again soon.
Stimulus Funds (Economic Impact Payments)
What is it?
Funds from the last three COVID-19 Relief Bills to help people meet their needs during the pandemic. There have been three Stimulus Payments. The first was up to $600, the second was up to $600, and the third payment was up to $1,400 – for a total of $3,200 per person. If you have children, you may be eligible for additional payments. If you have not received any of the Stimulus Payments, you may be eligible to receive all three payments when you file your taxes.
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for the Stimulus Payments if you cannot be claimed on someone else’s tax return as a dependent, you have a Social Security Number, and you make less than $80,000 per year. Most transition-aged youth and young adults are eligible for all three payments.
How do I access it?
You access the Stimulus Payment/Economic Impact Payments by filing your taxes. You can file your taxes by clicking here. This is a non-filers tool that makes filing your taxes so much easier. You should use this link if you have not filed taxes and do not need to because of the amount of money you make. This non-filer tool requires you to enter the following information: full name, current mailing address, email, date of birth, valid Social Security Number (or tax ID) for you and your child(ren), bank account number, routing number, and your PIN from previous tax filings (if you have one).
- Free help to file your taxes can be found here
- You can also visit Code for America’s website to connect with an IRS-certified volunteer who can help you file your taxes for free
Child Tax Credit
What is it?
Money that you can receive to help you meet your needs as a parent. It is a payment you will receive if you have a child and meet the requirements. If you have a child, you can receive up to $300 per month, per child (for children ages 0 to 5) and/or $250 per month, per child (for children ages 6 to 17). Theses payments started in July 2021 and will continue through December 2021, with remaining payments when 2021 taxes are filed in Spring 2022.
Am I eligible?
You must have a child who has a Social Security Number, lives with you for at least half of the year, and your child(ren) is under the age of 18 and you make less than $75,000 per year.
How do I access it?
You access the Child Tax Credit (CTC) by filing your taxes. You can file your taxes by clicking here. This is a non-filers tool that makes filing your taxes so much easier. You should use this link if you have not filed taxes and do not need to because of the amount of money you make.
- This non-filer tool requires you to enter the following information: full name, current mailing address, email, date of birth, valid Social Security Number (or tax ID) for you and your child(ren), bank account number, routing number, and your PIN from previous tax filings (if you have one).
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC)
What is it?
Money that you receive from the IRS if you are working. For this past tax year (2020), depending on whether you are filing your taxes on your own or jointly and how many children you have, you may be eligible for between $538 and $6,660. This is not a new tax benefit, but recent changes in the law make more transition-aged youth eligible.
Am I eligible? You may be eligible if you made any money from working in 2020 and:
- You are age 18 or older and have a child, or
- You are age 25 or older and do not have a child
Earned Income Tax Credit Expansion for Foster Youth: Good news! Young adults - just like you - who are working but earn less than $21,000 per year are finally eligible for this support, money that can assist you with housing, college tuition, or just make ends meet during a key transitional period in life. For former foster youth and homeless youth, eligibility begins at age 18.
How do I access it?
You access the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by filing your taxes. You can file your taxes by clicking here. This is a non-filers tool that makes filing your taxes so much easier. You should use this link if you have not filed taxes and do not need to because of the amount of money you make.
- This non-filer tool requires you to enter the following information: full name, current mailing address, email, date of birth, valid Social Security Number (or tax ID) for you and your child(ren), bank account number, routing number, and your PIN from previous tax filings (if you have one).
Nebraska Unemployment Services
File for unemployment insurance (UI) as soon as you receive notice that you are being laid-off, furloughed, let go or their place of work is closed due to COVID (or any time). Nebraska’s Department of Labor has made this process more rapid, and several requirements are being waived for UI claims such as searching for new work and the one-week wait period.
NEWorks - to apply for unemployment, or search for job openings.
CYI Unemployment Tip Sheet for Youth
Rent and Utility Assistance
Rent Relief Programs: https://ipropertymanagement.com/guides/rent-relief-programs#nebraska-rental-assistance-programs
Lincoln Housing and Utility Assistance: pandemic-related financial assistance from the City of Lincoln to pay for gas, electricity, and water bills, and rent payments to those who qualify. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, and need must be a result of COVID-19. https://www.lincoln.ne.gov/City/Mayor/Housing-Utility-Assistance
Omaha Housing and Utility Assistance: pandemic-related financial assistance from Douglas County to pay for gas, electricity, and water bills, and rent payments to those who qualify. To qualify, you must meet income guidelines, and need must be a result of COVID-19. https://copeinfo.org/rent-assist/
Landlord and Rental Legal Assistance: If you have received a notice from your landlord, are being sued for eviction in court, have received a notice that your utilities will be disconnected, or your utilities have been shut off, you can apply for legal assistance from Legal Aid of Nebraska by calling toll-free at 1-844-268-5627.
Legal Services
COVID-19/Coronavirus Legal Aid: Nebraska Legal Aid has opened its Disaster Relief Hotline for those with legal questions or legal issues related to COVID-19/Coronavirus (e.g., unemployment, housing, domestic violence and family law, debt, and stimulus payments).
COVID-19 Disaster Relief Hotline: 1-844-268-5627.
You can also apply online at http://www.LawHelpNE.org.
