MEDIA CONTACT
Collin Spilinek, (531) 739-7920,
collin.spilinek@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced today that recent federal action has triggered immediate, temporary relief from Medicaid work requirements for residents affected by two major disasters.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved major disaster declarations for the wildfires that struck Nebraska in March and April, and for the severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding that hit the state in May. Effective immediately, Nebraskans living in the counties covered by either declaration who are subject to the state's Medicaid work requirement now qualify for a temporary hardship exception.
Medicaid expansion members who resided in these counties during the declaration months do not need to take any action. DHHS will automatically apply the temporary hardship for individuals eligible in the Medicaid expansion group and notify them of their eligibility approval.
The first hardship applies to Medicaid expansion applicants and members living in the five Nebraska counties affected by the March and April wildfires. Those counties include Arthur, Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morrill. The temporary hardship is effective for March and April 2026.
- New Applicants who are eligible in the Medicaid expansion group – This temporary hardship applies to individuals who applied for Medicaid in May 2026 and resided in these counties during the month of April. DHHS is reprocessing applications for affected individuals who were denied eligibility due to noncompliance with Medicaid work requirements.
- Existing Members – This temporary hardship applies to members who lived in these counties during March 2026 who have a Medicaid renewal in any month between July 2026 and February 2027. This temporary hardship also applies to members who lived in these counties during April 2026 who have a Medicaid renewal in any month between July 2026 and March 2027. DHHS is reprocessing renewals for such members who were denied eligibility due to noncompliance with Medicaid work requirements.
The second hardship applies to Medicaid expansion applicants and members living in the eight counties affected by the severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding that occurred in May. Those counties include Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer, and Thurston. The temporary hardship is effective for May 2026.
- New Applicants who are eligible in the Medicaid expansion group – This temporary hardship applies to individuals who have applied for Medicaid in June 2026 and resided in one of these counties during the month of May. DHHS is reprocessing applications for such individuals who were denied eligibility due to noncompliance with Medicaid work requirements.
- Existing Members – This temporary hardship applies to members who lived in these counties during May 2026 who have a Medicaid renewal in any month between July 2026 and April 2027. DHHS is reprocessing renewals for such members who were denied eligibility due to noncompliance with Medicaid work requirements.
As required by federal regulations, all Medicaid members eligible in the Medicaid expansion group will receive a notice from DHHS about the temporary hardships.
Medicaid expansion members who resided in these counties during the declaration months do not need to take any action. DHHS will automatically apply the temporary hardship for individuals eligible in the Medicaid expansion group and notify them of their eligibility approval.
Applicants and members should respond to communications from DHHS when asked to provide any requested information regarding their Medicaid eligibility or Medicaid work requirements.
“Disasters can disrupt employment, transportation, housing, and access to essential services," said Jeremy Brunssen, Interim Director of the Division of Medicaid & Long-Term Care. “We recognize that circumstances beyond a person's control can make it difficult to meet work requirements. These temporary hardships ensure that Nebraskans affected by disasters can focus on recovery without worrying about health coverage."
For more information regarding Medicaid work requirements, including temporary hardships, visit the Nebraska DHHS website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WorkRequirements.aspx.