Improved access to public benefit programs approved

The state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is required to increase staff at local offices to provide more assistance with the state’s system for accessing public benefit programs – known as ACCESSNebraska – under a bill given final approval April 5.

LB825, introduced by Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, requires the department to adequately staff existing local offices and includes guidelines to determine the appropriate number of staff needed to provide in-person assistance to clients at each existing office.

The bill also requires:
• call centers to take appointments for in-person interviews upon request;
• a dedicated caseworker to be assigned upon request to a client with chronic physical or mental disorders, elderly who require continuing care and complex cases;
• local office caseworkers to interview clients, assist with applications, determine program eligibility and answer questions; and
• DHHS to contract with community-based organizations to act as satellite offices for department caseworkers.

LB825 passed on a 38-4 vote.