Last updated: June 19, 2026
Urgent help now
If you or your children are in immediate danger in Nebraska, call 911. If you cannot speak safely, follow the dispatcher’s questions as best you can. Text-to-911 is available in many places, but call if you can and text only if you cannot safely call.
- Domestic violence help: Call the National Hotline at 800-799-7233, text START to 88788, or use chat from a safer device.
- Local Nebraska help: Use the Nebraska program finder to find a domestic violence or sexual assault program by county, region, or Tribal program.
- Sexual assault help: Call RAINN at 800-656-4673, or ask a local Nebraska advocate about hospital, advocacy, and reporting options.
- Native survivors: Call or text StrongHearts at 844-762-8483 for culturally specific support.
- Child or vulnerable adult abuse: If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. Nebraska also has an abuse reporting portal for child and adult abuse or neglect reports.
If the person hurting you can see your phone, browser, email, shared cloud account, car location, bank app, or text messages, use a safer device when you can. A library computer, a trusted person’s phone, or an advocate’s office may be safer than your own device.
Bottom line
Nebraska has a statewide network of domestic violence and sexual assault organizations. The Nebraska Coalition says this network provides a safety net across the state 24 hours a day, and Nebraska State Patrol says the network serves all 93 counties.
A local advocate can help you think through shelter, transportation, court, child safety, a protection order, address safety, benefits, and next steps. This guide is general information only. It is not legal advice or a personal safety plan. A trained advocate or attorney can help you make a plan that fits your situation.
Where to start in Nebraska
Domestic violence help is not one single program. Most single mothers need a mix of safety help, housing help, food help, court help, and child care. You do not have to solve everything in one call.
If you need to leave tonight
Call 911 if there is danger now. If it is safe to call, contact the National Hotline or the closest Nebraska program through the Coalition’s map. Ask about shelter, motel options, rides, pets, medications, children’s items, and how to leave safely.
If you need court protection
Start with the Nebraska Judicial Branch domestic abuse order page. A local advocate may help with forms and court support, but only a lawyer can give legal advice.
If you need benefits
Use iServe Nebraska to apply for food, utilities, health care, child care, and other essential help when it is safe to do so. Keep contact information current so notices do not go to the wrong place.
For broader single-parent help, keep the Nebraska state help page open in a safer place. It can help you find related programs after immediate safety needs are handled.
Quick reference
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Danger right now | Call 911 | Hotlines are not emergency responders. |
| Safe place to go | Use the Nebraska Coalition provider map. | Shelter space can change by day and location. |
| Protection order | Contact your district court clerk. | Forms are available, but service and hearings still matter. |
| Hidden mailing address | Ask about the Address Confidentiality Program. | You apply through a designated victim assistance center. |
| Food, Medicaid, utilities, child care | Apply through iServe Nebraska. | Keep contact information safe and current. |
| Rent, pantry, transportation | Search Nebraska 211. | Local funding may run out or have narrow rules. |
Protection orders in Nebraska
A protection order is a court order from a judge. Nebraska has different types of protection orders, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and harassment orders. Which one fits depends on the relationship, what happened, and the facts in your case. The Nebraska Judicial Branch has a main protection order page with forms and explanations.
For a domestic abuse protection order, Nebraska courts say three forms are required: the praecipe, the confidential Social Security information form, and the petition and affidavit. The affidavit is important because it tells the judge what happened. Write clearly and stick to facts. If you are afraid to write something because the other person may see it, ask a court clerk, advocate, or attorney what is private and what may be shared.
To file, contact the clerk of the district court in your county. The Nebraska Judicial Branch posts a court contact list you can use to find the clerk’s phone number and address. If you need an interpreter, ask early. Nebraska courts have a language access program for court language help.
| Question | What Nebraska sources say | Safety note |
|---|---|---|
| What types exist? | Domestic abuse, sexual assault, and harassment protection orders. | Ask which form fits before filing. |
| What can be requested? | A domestic abuse order may include no contact, removal from the home, stay-away terms, temporary custody for up to 90 days, firearm limits, and other safety terms. | The judge decides what to include. |
| What does it cost? | Nebraska court FAQs say there are no costs unless a judge decides the filing was false or for inappropriate reasons. | Ask the clerk about current local process. |
| What proof helps? | Photos, messages, emails, phone messages, witnesses, medical records, and police report numbers may help if you safely have them. | Do not risk safety to collect evidence. |
Safety note before filing
Filing court papers can affect safety, housing, custody, and how the other parent reacts. Talk with a local domestic violence advocate before filing if you can. Advocates can help you think through safer service, court dates, transportation, child care, and where you will stay if the person is served.
Housing, shelter, and address safety
If you need to leave home, start with a domestic violence program instead of calling random shelters one by one. Nebraska State Patrol says Nebraska’s domestic and sexual violence advocacy programs provide at least a 24-hour crisis line, protection-order help, emergency shelter, ongoing support, transportation, medical advocacy, referrals, and prevention education.
If you live in public housing, have a Housing Choice Voucher, or live in another covered HUD-assisted home, VAWA may protect you from being denied housing, evicted, or losing assistance because of abuse committed against you. Start with the HUD VAWA page, then ask your housing provider for its emergency transfer plan and forms.
Nebraska law also gives some renters a way to be released from a rental agreement after domestic violence when required documentation and written notice are provided. Read the lease-release law and talk with Legal Aid or an advocate before giving notice, especially if the abuser is also on the lease.
If you need your mailing address hidden after moving, Nebraska’s Address Confidentiality Program can provide a substitute mailing address and mail forwarding for eligible survivors. The Secretary of State says applications are made in person through designated victim assistance centers, not directly at the Secretary of State’s office.
For more housing options after the crisis, see ASMOM’s Nebraska housing assistance guide and Nebraska emergency assistance guide.
Money, food, benefits, and basic needs
Abuse often includes money control. You may need food, child care, health care, a phone, gas, court transportation, help replacing documents, or help changing a mailing address. Nebraska DHHS says iServe Nebraska lets Nebraskans apply for food, utilities, health care, child care, and other essential needs.
| Program or help | What it may help with | Where to read more |
|---|---|---|
| SNAP | Groceries for eligible households | ASMOM SNAP help |
| ADC/TANF | Cash assistance for eligible families with children | ASMOM TANF help |
| Child Care Subsidy | Child care while you work, train, or meet program rules | ASMOM child care help |
| WIC | Food and nutrition support during pregnancy, postpartum, infancy, and early childhood | ASMOM WIC help |
| Medicaid | Health coverage for eligible adults and children | ASMOM health care help |
If you were injured because of a crime and have costs tied to it, Nebraska’s Crime Victim Reparations program may help with certain expenses. The program can consider medical costs, counseling, lost wages while under a doctor’s care, funeral expenses, crime-scene cleanup, and other listed costs, but it is not a general cash grant and does not cover every loss.
If you cannot work because you left a job or missed work due to abuse, talk with Legal Aid or a domestic violence advocate before deciding what to file. Ask an advocate or legal aid about job loss, unemployment, and safe documentation before you file anything.
Children, school, custody, and child support
If children are involved, keep the focus on safe pickup, school records, health needs, and court orders. Tell the school or child care program only what they need to know to keep your child safe. Ask how they handle pickup lists, emergency contacts, copies of court orders, and who can see your address.
Protection orders and custody cases are separate legal matters, but they can affect each other. Nebraska court FAQs say a domestic abuse protection order may include temporary custody for up to 90 days if the order qualifies. Ask a lawyer or legal aid how this interacts with any custody, divorce, paternity, juvenile, or child support case.
The ASMOM Nebraska child support guide can help with child support agency basics, but it is not a substitute for safety-focused legal advice. If child support cooperation could put you or your child at risk, ask the benefits worker, child support office, or legal aid about good cause or safer contact options before sharing information.
If your child needs counseling, medical care, or school help after violence, ask your local advocate for child-focused referrals. You can also use ASMOM’s Nebraska mental health help guide as a starting point. If your child has a disability or special health need, the national ASMOM special needs guide may help you organize next steps.
Legal help and court support
Domestic violence can touch protection orders, custody, divorce, lease rights, public benefits, immigration questions, and criminal cases. You may need more than one type of help. The Nebraska Coalition has a legal resource page for survivors. Legal Aid of Nebraska also posts Legal Aid handbooks on protection orders, divorce, custody, child support, housing, debt, and Spanish-language topics.
Legal Aid does not take every case, and court deadlines can be short. Call as early as possible. If Legal Aid cannot represent you, ask about a clinic, a self-help form, limited-scope legal help, or a referral to a local lawyer. A domestic violence advocate can often go with you to court or help you understand the process, but an advocate is not your attorney.
Documents and information checklist
Do not risk your safety to gather documents. If you can safely collect or copy items, these may help with court, benefits, school, housing, and medical care. Use ASMOM’s documents checklist when you are also applying for benefits, housing, school, or legal help.
| Category | Examples | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Identity | Photo ID, birth certificates, Social Security numbers if safe | Benefits, school, court, housing, health care |
| Children | School contacts, child care contacts, custody papers, medication list | Safe pickup, health needs, court orders |
| Money | EBT card, debit card, pay stubs, bank information, lease, utility bill | Food, rent, utilities, child care, benefits |
| Evidence | Photos, messages, call logs, medical records, police report numbers | Protection order, criminal case, housing request |
| Safety | Keys, medications, glasses, phone charger, car seat, important passwords | Leaving safely and staying connected |
Common mistakes to avoid
- Do not post your move, shelter plan, court date, or new address online.
- Do not assume a landlord, school, or benefits office understands domestic violence rules. Ask for the exact policy or form.
- Do not ignore mail from DHHS, the court, housing, or child support. Missed notices can cause delays or closures.
- Do not send private facts by email or text if the other person may see your account.
- Do not cancel benefits just because you moved suddenly. Ask how to update contact information safely.
If you are denied, delayed, or overwhelmed
If one shelter is full, ask the advocate to check partner programs, motel options, transportation, and programs in nearby counties. If you live in a rural area, the Nebraska rural help guide can help you think through transportation, distance, and local services.
If benefits are delayed, apply for more than one program when you can. Food help, WIC, Medicaid, child care, and utility help have different rules. Nebraska community support may also help you find local churches, nonprofits, and Community Action options.
If a benefits case is denied, delayed, closed, or confusing, use ASMOM’s benefits problem guide to organize notices, deadlines, and appeal questions. If you are pregnant, postpartum, or caring for a baby, ask WIC, Medicaid, your clinic, and the local domestic violence program about safer appointments and supplies.
Phone scripts
Calling a domestic violence program
“Hi, I am a single mother in Nebraska and I need help making a safe plan. I may need shelter or transportation. Can I speak with an advocate confidentially? I also need to know what to do about my children, documents, and phone safety.”
Calling the district court clerk
“Hi, I need information about filing for a protection order. Can you tell me where to find the forms, what hours I can file, how to request an interpreter if needed, and whether an advocate can come with me?”
Calling DHHS about benefits
“Hi, I am leaving an unsafe situation and need help with food, medical coverage, child care, or cash assistance. I need to update my contact information safely. What is the safest way to do that, and what documents do I need?”
Calling a housing provider
“Hi, I am asking about housing protections related to domestic violence. Can you send me your VAWA notice, self-certification form, and emergency transfer request form? Please tell me how you keep my information confidential.”
Resumen en español
Si usted o sus hijos están en peligro inmediato en Nebraska, llame al 911. Si no puede hablar con seguridad, siga las instrucciones del centro local de 911. Para ayuda por violencia doméstica, llame a la Línea Nacional al 800-799-7233 o mande START al 88788 si es seguro hacerlo.
Un defensor local puede ayudar con refugio, transporte, órdenes de protección, beneficios, vivienda y seguridad de dirección. Puede buscar un programa local por medio de la Coalición de Nebraska. Si necesita comida, Medicaid, cuidado infantil o ayuda con servicios públicos, use iServe Nebraska cuando sea seguro.
No arriesgue su seguridad para buscar documentos. Si no puede conseguir papeles importantes, pregunte a un defensor, trabajador de beneficios, escuela, clínica o abogado qué otra prueba puede servir.
FAQ
Can I get domestic violence help in Nebraska if I am not ready to leave?
Yes. You can call a domestic violence advocate to talk about safety, documents, children, money, housing, and options. You do not have to be ready to leave to ask questions.
Does a protection order cost money in Nebraska?
Nebraska court FAQs say there are no costs unless a judge decides that you lied or asked for the protection order for inappropriate reasons. Ask the district court clerk about the current local filing and service process.
Can a Nebraska domestic violence advocate give legal advice?
No. Advocates can help with safety planning, court support, forms, and referrals, but legal advice must come from an attorney. Ask Legal Aid or a local lawyer about your case.
Can I ask for a housing transfer because of abuse?
If you live in HUD-assisted housing or have a covered voucher, VAWA may let you request an emergency transfer and confidentiality. Ask your housing provider for the VAWA forms and transfer plan.
Where can I find local help outside Omaha or Lincoln?
Use the Nebraska Coalition provider map or Nebraska 211. Search by county, nearby city, or need. If a nearby program is full, ask for referrals to partner programs.
Can Nebraska help hide my address?
Nebraska’s Address Confidentiality Program may provide a substitute mailing address and mail forwarding for eligible survivors. Applications must be made in person through a designated victim assistance center.
About this guide
This guide uses official federal, state, local, and other high-trust nonprofit and community sources mentioned in the article.
A Single Mother is independent and is not a government agency, benefits office, lender, law firm, medical provider, or tax advisor.
Program rules, funding, local availability, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply or make decisions.
Verification: Last verified June 19, 2026, next review September 19, 2026.
Corrections: If you see something wrong or outdated, email suggestions@asinglemother.org.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, medical, tax, immigration, disability, safety, or government-agency advice.