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Nebraska Social Services for Aged and Disabled Adults (SSAD) Program
Page Reviewed / Updated - April 15, 2019
Program Description
The Social Services for Aged and Disabled Adults (SSAD) program offers two types of support services to Nebraska residents: support targeted at the individual in need of care and support targeted at their primary caregiver. SSAD's goal is to help frail seniors continue to live as independently as possible, and as such, services are provided to beneficiaries in their homes and in the community, but not to persons residing in skilled nursing residences. The exception to this is when nursing home residency is temporary in nature and the individual will be returning to live in their home at some point in the near future. Services range from personal care to adult day care to meal delivery to chores. A complete list of services is available further down the page.
Nebraska families caring for a loved one may also be eligible for assistance from the Lifespan Respite Program or Disabled Persons and Family Support Program. These programs provide residents with similar needs with different suites of support services.
Eligibility Guidelines
SSAD has exceedingly complex eligibility requirements. For the purposes of this article, the requirements have been simplified. The complete legal regulation, though outdated, is available for download here.
To qualify for services one must be:
- A legal resident of the state of Nebraska. There is no length of residency requirement.
- 60 years of age, or blind and between the ages of 19 and 59, or determined disabled by a medical professional
- Physically or mentally impaired such that assistance is required for the activities of daily living (Examples include bathing, dressing, and eating)
- Living at home or temporarily residing in rehabilitation and intending to return home
- Under the income limit. Income guidelines change each year with cost of living adjustments (COLA). In 2019, the limit for an individual is $1,181 / month and for a married couple is $1,324 / month. Or, in annual terms, under $14,172 for an individual and under $15,888 for a married couple / 2 person household. However, individuals with incomes over these thresholds may still qualify, as there are many exceptions to what is considered to be "countable" income. Currently, there are no asset limits.
Benefits and Services
Program beneficiaries are assessed when they enter the program and the services they will receive are determined at that time. Possible services include:
- Adult Day Care
- Chore Services
- Food Preparation
- Grocery Shopping
- Group Meals (in Senior Centers)
- Homemaker Services
- Housecleaning
- Laundry
- Meal Delivery
- Personal Care (limited)
- Non-Medical Transportation Assistance
How to Apply / Learn More
For additional information about the SSAD program, click here. To apply, individuals should contact their county Department of Health and Human Services office. Contact information is available here. One may also apply online here. Ongoing participation in the SSAD Program requires annual verification that beneficiaries' incomes remain within the eligibility range.
Did You Know? Live Long and Prosper. Nebraska ranks as the third highest state for the percentage of residents who live to 100 years old.