Are your rent and utility bills past due? Are you struggling to pay a deposit? Emergency Services can provide financial assistance for rent, utilities, and deposits for those who qualify.
Call Emergency Services for assistance:
- Lincoln: 402-471-4515
- Saunders and rural Lancaster Counties: 402-277-7330
Through case management, including budgeting assistance, we can help you avoid homelessness and get back on track as you work toward economic stability.
Emergency Services update: Emergency Services eligibility criteria have been expanded in light of COVID-19. Those who have past-due balances, eviction or disconnect notices, and those who are experiencing homelessness are all eligible to apply for Emergency Services support. Income guidelines have also been expanded.
Community Action's Emergency Services program is now an All Doors Lead Home Coordinated Entry Open Door. For questions about Coordinated Entry, call (402) 471-4515.
Inability to pay rent and utilities has been identified as one of the main causes of homelessness in our community. Through the provision of one-time financial assistance, Community Action immediately prevents households from entering into homeless situations, and through case management ensures that they will remain in stable, long-term housing.
Individuals receiving assistance through our Emergency Services program work with a member of our Emergency Services team on increasing housing stability through the support of case management. Driven by passion and knowledge of community resources, our Emergency Services team is dedicated to providing immediate assistance to individuals facing homelessness and supporting them as they work toward long-term economic stability.
How to Apply
Households must complete an application over the phone to be eligible by calling 402-471-4515 and following the prompts for the appropriate needs office.
When applying over the phone, please be prepared to leave a phone message for the Emergency Services staff and someone will return your call as soon as possible. Calls will be returned in the order that they are received, Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm, each week. Due to our large call volume, if you do not receive a call by Thursday at noon, you must call back the following week and leave another message.
Applicants will be notified by phone of the outcome of application. If we can’t reach you, a letter will be sent by mail. If you are approved by mail, please call the number provided to set up an appointment with the appropriate office.
Those approved and contacted by phone will make an appointment with Emergency Service staff during this time.
At this appointment you will be required to bring:
- Proof of income
- Social Security cards for all members of the household may be necessary
- Picture ID
- The bill that you applied for assistance with, or in the case of past-due rent, you will be required to bring a copy of your lease and any notices you have received pertaining to the past-due rent
Want to Know More?
If you would like to know more about Community Action's Emergency Services program, or have a question regarding eligibility, please contact:
Sarah Fentress (she, her, hers)
Emergency Services Administrator
(402) 875-9392
sfentress@communityactionatwork.org
Saunders and rural Lancaster Counties:
Jenise Kouma (she, her, hers)
(402) 277-7330
jkouma@communityactionatwork.org
