Transitional Youth
Nebraska Total Care wants to make sure that if you are aging out of foster care you can still get good healthcare. All of your benefits and services can be found in the Member Handbook. When you have questions, you can check the handbook and this site for answers. You can also call Member Services for help. The phone number is 1-844-385-2192 (TTY 711).
After turning 19, you will be your own Medical Consenter. This can be difficult to manage without support and Nebraska Total Care can work directly with you to help make sure you get the care you need. If you need more help with a difficult medical situation, please call us and choose the Care Management option. Our Care Managers can help you work with the healthcare system and get good care.
Medicaid For Former Foster Care Youth
Adolescent to Adult Benefits (PDF)
For more information about your Medicaid eligibility, please contact iServe Nebraska. Tell them you were in foster care when you turned 19 and you would like to apply for Medicaid health insurance. You can get Medicaid health insurance up to age 26, no matter what your income is.
You can visit the iServe Nebraska website or call:
- Statewide: (855) 632-7633
- Lincoln: (402) 473-7000
- Omaha: (402) 595-1178
- TDD: (402) 471-7256
Bridge to Independence is available to young adults until age 21 who have aged out of foster care or were discharged to independent living. As long as you are in school, employed, or participating in an employment program, you are eligible for this program. Bridge to Independence provides stable support for young people as they cross from foster care to adulthood. Young adults who join the program will have access to:
- A dedicated Independence Coordinator (IC) who will provide advice, help you access resources and help you identify next steps to meeting your unique goals.
- Health care coverage if eligible for Medicaid or Affordable Care Act (ACA).
- A monthly maintenance payment.
- 211 United Way: Get information on resources in your area.
- Bridge to Independence: Support from foster care to becoming an adult. Get access to your own coordinator. Coordinators have advice and can find resources. They will look at next steps to meeting your goals.
- Career Ready Checklist: A checklist to use when preparing for a future career.
- Central Navigation: You only need to tell your story once. You can connect to all kinds of supports and services that will help you reach your goals.
- College Financial Aid Letter: DHHS can give you a financial aid letter. This letter will list the dates you were a state ward. You can use this for college financial aid purposes. Call 402-471-9272 to make this request.
- Education Quest: Free college planning and outreach services. Find scholarship programs and college grants. Locations in Lincoln, Kearney, and Omaha.
- FAFSA: Get a college application for student financial aid; including grants, scholarships and loans.
- findhelp resource tool: Finding help just got easier. Our findhelp resource tool connects members and caregivers in need with local programs and supports. Our database makes it easy for people with social needs – and those who help others – to find community programs. These programs provide help with food, shelter, healthcare, money and education, jobs and more.
- Foster Club: Resources for young adults. CASA volunteers and others work with older youth aging out of foster care. There is a tool for youth to get support from adults during the journey to independence.
- The Hub in Lincoln: The HUB provides help young people determine what services they need, access those services, and ensure that they are working together to provide a customized support.
- JobCorps: A free education program to help young people find and keep a good job.
- Job Readiness: Modules and information to get ready for a career after high school graduation.
- Nebraska Family Helpline: 24 hours a day, seven days a week trained helpline operators help with immediate safety needs and make recommendations or referrals to appropriate resources. Call 1-888-866-8660.
- Nebraska Total Care Member Services: For questions and information regarding physical and behavioral health needs. Call 1-844-385-2192 (TTY 711).
- Omaha Home for Boys: Branching Out Independent Living Program assists youth aged 14 to 24 in making the transition from dependence towards living responsible lives. Jacob's Place Transitional Living Program is designed to assist young adults in making the transition from dependence to independence.
- Preparation, Transition, & Independent Living Services (PALS) : Program is designed to provide support and guidance with the challenges of becoming independent. A PALS Specialist works with youth one-on-one to help assess strengths and abilities, as well as assist in identifying personal vision for becoming a successful independent adult.
- Personal records: You can ask for copies of your personal records that are kept at Nebraska DHHS.
- Project Everlast: A statewide, youth-led initiative committed to providing resources, connections and support to young adults as they age out of foster care.
- Social Security: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or call 1-800-772-1213.
- Transportation: Transportation services are covered by Nebraska Total Care through our transportation vendor MTM, Inc. To arrange transportation for appointments Member Services. The phone number is 1-844-385-2192 (TTY 711). Choose the transportation option.