How to Qualify for Disability in Nebraska
- 1). Determine your eligibility status for disability benefits in the state of Nebraska. Disability payments can be extended to disabled residents who are employed, to disabled persons with a relative as caregiver, or to disabled persons in an independent living situation. Disabled persons with a relative as caregiver must figure in the caregiver's financial status in determining income eligibility.
- 2). Obtain the application forms for Nebraska's disability program: "Disabled Persons and Family Support Disability Report" (Form DPF-2) and "Service and Device Application" (Form DPF-3). These are available at the central office for Nebraska's Department of Health & Human Services, located in Lincoln, or at county satellite offices throughout the state.
- 3). Gather legal documents that indicate your status as a resident of Nebraska. Nebraska's DHHS requires an applicant to present a copy of his social security card or, if necessary, immigration documents from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Although there are no rules regarding the minimum amount of time a resident must have lived in Nebraska, anyone benefiting from the DHHS disability program must intend to remain in Nebraska through the duration of their benefits program. - 4). Schedule a doctor's appointment and have him fill out the required medical information requested on Form DPF-2. A qualifying medical disability must be attributable to either mental or physical impairment, is likely to continue, requires long-term coordinated care and cause substantial limitations in two of the following life areas: communication, self-care, mobility, ability to learn, self-direction, work skills and economic self-sufficiency.
- 5). Gather financial documents that indicate your level of income. Along with gross wages from work before tax is withheld, Nebraska DHHS counts Supplemental Security Income (SSI), real estate rental income, trust funds, workers' compensation and other state supplemental payments as part of your total income.
Nebraska DHHS regulates maximum income levels for disability program beneficiaries. For one person, total income cannot exceed $1,364 per month; for two, $1,784 per month; and for a household of three, $2,203 per month. For households of nine or more, gross monthly income must be less than $3,699 to qualify for disability. - 6). Submit completed forms DPF-2 and DPF-3 to the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services. If DHHS needs more information to process your application, you may be asked to submit to an in-person interview with a representative.