City of Lincoln and Lancaster County Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resident Resources
Moderate Risk of COVID-19 Spread
The COVID-19 Risk Dial provides a summary of current conditions in the Lincoln-Lancaster County community. Each color incorporates federal and national guidance published by public health experts and is coupled with specific guidance.
The Risk Dial was developed to help communicate the risk of spread and impact of COVID-19 in the community. Since its inception in May 2020, multiple metrics have been used based on local data. The Risk Dial currently uses five indicators: Case Rate, Health Care System Capacity, Vaccination Rate, Wastewater Surveillance and Death Rate. Indicators like Positivity Rate, Contact Tracing and Testing Turnaround Time have been retired due to the evolving landscape of COVID-19 testing.
This is only guidance and does not replace federal, state, or local directed health measures. At-risk and vulnerable populations should take stringent precautions.
More information about the Risk Dial and its metrics can be found in the Risk Dial Metrics document.
Community Guidance and Recommendations
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Outside the Home
Get Vaccinated
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- Get vaccinated as soon as possible: Vaccine Information
Physical Distancing Outside the Home
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- Avoid crowded indoor settings where distancing is difficult
- Follow CDC Travel Guidelines
Face Masks Outside the Home
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- Wear a face mask if you have allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms
- Wear a mask based on your personal preference, informed by your vaccination status and personal level of risk
Hand Washing Outside the Home
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- Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching high contact surfaces, sneezing/coughing/touching face, or before eating
- Use hand sanitizer when handwashing is inaccessible or infeasible
Illness Monitoring Outside the Home
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- If ill with allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms, wear a mask, get tested or use a home test, stay at home, and contact your health care provider for information and available treatments if you test positive
- Minimize contact with symptomatic people
At Home
Get Vaccinated
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- Get vaccinated as soon as possible: Vaccine Information
Physical Distancing at Home
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- No distancing for people without symptoms, unless they are under quarantine
Face Coverings at Home
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- If you or someone in your home are at high risk for severe illness, wear a mask around others
- If you or someone in your home has tested positive for COVID-19 and you are unable to fully isolate, wear a face mask
- Wear a face mask if you have allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms
Hand Washing at Home
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- Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds, especially after touching high contact surfaces, sneezing/coughing/touching face, or before eating
Illness Monitoring at Home
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- If ill with allergy, cold or COVID-like symptoms, wear a mask, stay away from others in your home, get tested or use home test, and contact health care provider for information and available treatments if you test positive
- Minimize contact with symptomatic people
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At-Risk and
Vulnerable Populations -
For adults over age 65, anyone with underlying health conditions, and other populations at heightened risk from COVID-19:
- Consult with your health care provider about additional protective actions you should take
COVID-19 Testing
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COVID-19 Symptoms can include:
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
At-home tests: At-home test kits are available in the main lobby of the LLCHD, 3131 "O" St., during regular business hours. Test kits are also available at all Lincoln City Library locations.
Every home in the U.S. can also order another round of free, at-home tests from the federal government this winter. Visit covidtests.gov to place an order. The Food and Drug Administration extended the shelf lives of many home COVID-19 tests. To determine if a test has a new expiration date, visit At-Home OTC COVID-19 Diagnostic Tests | FDA.
At-home test reporting: Lancaster County residents who take at-home tests may send the results to the Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department. All information is confidential and protected by Nebraska State Law. Visit lincoln.ne.gov/covid19reportresults to submit results.
Bryan Health: Those with COVID-19 symptoms can receive testing at three Bryan Urgent Care locations without an appointment. Individuals MUST have symptoms to be tested. You will see a provider to evaluate symptoms and determine testing needs for COVID-19 or other illnesses.
Two options are available for COVID-19 testing based on the timing of when symptoms first appeared:
- Rapid testing: Results are available in 15 minutes, before you leave
- Molecular (PCR) testing: Results are available in 3-5 days
Bryan Urgent Care is open 7 days a week at the following locations:
- Southwest Lincoln - 7501 S. 27th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Northwest Lincoln – 5901 N. 27th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Southeast Lincoln – 4333 S. 86th St., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
CHI Health: Walk-in testing is available at three priority care locations: Antelope Creek, 2510 S. 40th St., Suite 100; Southwest, 1240 Aries Drive; and Stevens Creek, 1601 N. 86th St.
For drive up testing, virtual quick care is available 24/7 at CHIHealth.com to chat with a provider and schedule a testing appointment.
Local pharmacies including CVS, HyVee and Walgreens, health care provider offices and urgent care clinics also offer testing. Those uninsured or underinsured can call the LLCHD COVID-19 hotline at 402-441-8006 to be connected to testing resources.
Exposure and Isolation Guidance
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If you’ve been in close contact with someone who has COVID-19, wear a mask when you’re around others and get tested at least 5 days after your exposure (or sooner if you have symptoms). If you test negative, continue taking precautions through day 10. If you test positive, follow isolation guidance.
- What to Do If You Were Exposed to COVID-19
- If you test positive or have symptoms of COVID-19, stay home at least 5 days: Isolation and Precautions for People with COVID-19
COVID-19 Isolation and Exposure Calculator
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s isolation and exposure calculator helps determine if you need to isolate or take other steps to prevent spreading COVID-19.
Emergency Relief Funds Now Available
Resume your job search now!
If you have lost work as a result of COVID-19, visit the American Job Center at 1100 O Street, call 402-413-9336, or visit neworks.nebraska.gov for reemployment assistance.
Resident Resources Table of Contents
Multilingual Information on COVID-19
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Audio of news conferences in Arabic, Chinese, Karen, Kurmanji, Spanish, and Vietnamese
- Translated Audio of News Conferences
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- July 20, 2021 - News Conference
Remarks by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Health Director Patricia Lopez
- June 16, 2021 - News Conference
Remarks by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Health Director Patricia Lopez
- May 18, 2021 - News Conference
Remarks by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Health Director Patricia Lopez
- May 12, 2021 - News Conference
Remarks by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Health Director Patricia Lopez
- May 4, 2021 - News Conference
Remarks by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird and Health Director Patricia Lopez
Please visit YouTube.com/LNKTVcity for past news conferences.
- July 20, 2021 - News Conference
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information in Multiple Languages YouTube playlist of video translations provided by Lutheran Family Services
- Prevention Guide in Arabic / العربية
- Prevention Guide in Chinese / 中文
- Prevention Guide in English
- Prevention Guide in Karen / ကညီကျိ
- Avoid the Three Cs in Karen / ကညီကျိ
- Prevention Guide in Kurmanji / Kûrmanji
- Prevention Guide in Spanish / español
- Prevention Guide in Ukranian / українська мова
- Prevention Guide in Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
Lutheran Family Services provides human care services, including children services, direct support services for immigrants and refugees, and behavioral health. Through Lutheran Family Services’ Refugee Health Promotion program and community partner Restoring Dignity, educational videos were created in multiple languages about COVID-19 and preventing the spread of the virus.
The Center for People in Need is a community-based nonprofit that offers services and training to low-income people to satisfy their basic needs and help them achieve economic independence. Assistance for members of our community includes adequate food and household necessities, like diapers, through weekly distributions.
MyLNK App
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MyLNK is a free app with a directory of services and resources from nearly 500 organizations and 1,000 programs in the Lincoln and Lancaster County area.
ChildcareLNK is an effort to connect parents and caregivers with available licensed childcare throughout the city. For more information visit lincolnlittles.org.
The app can be downloaded for Apple and Android phones, and it works offline once downloaded. MyLNK is also available at mylnk.app/home and is translated into Spanish, Arabic, and Vietnamese. The app and website have a category for COVID-19/Coronavirus response, including updated food distribution information.
211
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211 is a resource provided by United Way providing information on services available in Nebraska and Iowa. Call 211 or text your zip code to 898211 to get in touch with a helpline specialist.
Consumer Warnings and Scams
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Federal Trade Commission – The FTC continues its work protecting consumers, providing guidance to businesses, and protecting competition in the marketplace throughout the pandemic. You can go to their website to Learn About Scams and File a Consumer Complaint.
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Federal Communications Commission – As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to impact the United States, phone scammers have seized the opportunity to prey on consumers.
Check out their Warnings and Safety Tips.
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University of Nebraska – As we shift to a remote environment for learning, teaching and working, it is important to remember Digital Security.
Federal COVID-19 Relief
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Food assistance – The Federal government has temporarily expanded SNAP and WIC food assistance, making it easier to apply. For more information on these programs and how to apply, see Food.
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Required paid leave – Some employees will receive up to 80 hours of paid sick leave and up to an additional 10 weeks of paid family and medical leave if they can’t work because of COVID-19. If you’re an employee, make sure you know your paid leave rights and tell your employer if you need to use paid leave for reasons related to COVID-19 as soon as possible.
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Unemployment compensation – The Federal government increased the number of people eligible for unemployment payments, increased the amount of unemployment payments available to people who are eligible, extended the length of unemployment payments, and waived some requirements for unemployment. For more information, see Unemployment Assistance.
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COVID-19 Healthcare – Health insurance providers are required to cover COVID-19 treatments and testing.
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The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has issued an order pausing residential evictions for non-payment of rent under some conditions. Know your legal rights by calling Legal Aid.
Lancaster County Human Services - General Assistance
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Eligibility is determined by the HHS Poverty Guidelines. Clients may be entitled to receive the following services:
- Medical care
- Non-food voucher for necessities (including household supplies and personal care items)
- Referrals to other programs that may be able to assist you
- Shelter (which may include deposit, rent, and utilities)
- StarTran bus passes
- Cremation
Basic Needs
Food
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) (formerly known as Food Stamps); Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) (a nutrition program for eligible pregnant women, breastfeeding women, and families with children under 5)
- For SNAP application assistance, contact the Food Bank of Lincoln's SNAP Outreach Team at 855-444-5556.
- For WIC application assistance, call a WIC center near you.
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Center for People in Need provides food distribution daily.
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MyLNK provides a daily list of food resources in the community.
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Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska provides food Monday through Thursday and offers delivery options to the elderly and homebound. You must call first to request.
Housing
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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LGBTQ+ people and families can get emergency funds through OutNebraska and Community Action Partnership of Lancaster and Saunders Counties to help with rent, utilities, or medication.
To qualify, people should self-identify as LGBTQ+, be experiencing financial crisis due to COVID-19, and have a current income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (approximately $1,600 per month for an individual or $3,300 per month for a family of four).
For more information or to request a referral for funding, please contact Abbi at abbi@outnebraska.org or Sarah at sfentress@communityactionatwork.org or 402-875-9356.
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Community Action Partnership - Homelessness Prevention Services, including tenant support services; rent, utility, and deposit assistance; and emergency services.
For information on renters' rights and evictions, please visit tenantservices.org. You may also email Neva Winkle at nwinkle@communityactionatwork.org. For questions about renting, call 402-875-9353. If no one picks up, please leave a message on the voice mail. All messages will be returned.
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Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska provides emergency cash assistance for rent, utilities, car repairs, and more. Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska also distributes diapers, formula, and personal care items.
Homeless Services
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Matt Talbot Kitchen & Outreach is providing "to-go" meals. Each person will receive one meal and each guest needs to be present to receive their meal. Once you receive your meal you will be asked to leave the facility.
Meal Hours:
- Monday–Friday – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 5 to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday – 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Shower and laundry services are available Monday–Friday by appointment during regular hours for those experiencing homelessness.
Unemployment Assistance
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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How to Apply for Jobs
Currently available job opportunities are posted on NEworks.nebraska.gov on the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce local job postings page. For employment assistance, contact the American Job Center – 1111 O St #205, Lincoln, NE 68508, 402-413-9236. The American Job Center provides free job search services and help with navigating the unemployment insurance application process.
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How to Apply for Unemployment Benefits
The Federal and State government have expanded unemployment benefits by:
- Including furloughed workers, self-employed workers, and independent contractors unable to work as a result of COVID-19. Part-time workers and people with not enough work history to usually qualify for benefits are also included
- Increasing the amount of unemployment payments by $600 per week for up to four months.
- Extending the length of unemployment payments by 13 weeks, up to a possible 39 weeks
- Waiving the standard one-week wait time to start receiving benefits and waiving charges to employers for providing benefits to their former employees
- These waivers are currently in effect until August 1, 2020.
See the Information Sheet listed below for more information on how to apply through NEworks.nebraska.gov. Email detailed questions to ndol.nichelp@nebraska.gov.
- Unemployment Information Sheet in Arabic / العربية
- Unemployment Information Sheet in English
- Unemployment Information Sheet in Karen / ကညီကျိ
- Unemployment Information Sheet in Russian / русский язык
- Unemployment Information Sheet in Spanish / español
- Unemployment Information Sheet in Vietnamese / Tiếng Việt
For additional help, view these instructional videos.
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Loss of Health Insurance
If you lose your health insurance because you have lost your job, you are entitled to a special enrollment period to get an Affordable Care Act (ACA) plan. See the Consumer Fact Sheet listed below for more information from the State of Nebraska Department of Insurance.
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Restaurant workers, gig workers and other hourly workers can apply for cash help from the One Fair Wage Emergency Fund.
Utilities
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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Black Hills offers assistance options to customers such as payment arrangements, budget billing and medical extensions. Please visit blackhillsenergy.com/covid-IA or call 888-890-5554 to discuss options that may be available for you.
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LES asks that customers pay their bill online, by phone, mail, drop-box, or pay cash at select retailers. Customers are urged to call LES at 402-475-4211 if they cannot pay their bill. More information about making payments is available on LES.com > Pay My Bill.
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Lincoln Water System encourages customers to work with the city to make payment arrangements.
Healthcare
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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Bluestem Health offers medical, dental and behavioral health services, regardless of insurance status as well as a sliding fee discount to serve the underinsured and uninsured.
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Clinic with a Heart is a free healthcare clinic that does not require patient identification or proof of income. Call in on clinic days, after 2:00 p.m., to reserve a spot at 402-421-2924. At that time, you will be given a number and return time (or told that they are full).
Behavioral Health
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Visit the CDC's website for information on managing anxiety and stress during the pandemic and taking care of one's emotional health.
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Lutheran Family Services of Nebraska, located in Lincoln, offers TeleHealth options for anyone needing counseling or Behavioral Health services remotely. Call 1-833-903-2376 to learn more about TeleHealth.
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If you or someone you know is having a difficult time due to substance abuse, mental health, or thoughts of suicide, the CenterPointe help line is just a call or text away at 402-475-6695. This is a free and confidential resource, 24/7, 365 days a year – for youth, adults, or families.
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The Mental Health Association's Keya House staffs a 24/7 Warm Line at 402-261-5959. They have resources to assist those living with mental health or substance use issues.
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Cedars assists children and families who are struggling. Their hotline is available 24 hours a day at 402-434-5437.
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The Bridge offers mental health and substance use counseling for those in need. Their hotline is available 24 hours a day at 402-477-3951.
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The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a 24/7, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. The number is 1-800-273-8255.
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The Disaster Distress Helpline, 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories.
Domestic Violence
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Videos produced by The Bay and Good Life Community Development
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Friendship Home provides emergency shelter, transitional housing and crisis services to victims of domestic violence. Their hotline is answered 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at 402-437-9302.
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Voices of Hope provides services to empower those who have experienced relationship violence, sexual assault and related forms of abuse. Their services are free and confidential to victims of these crimes as well as their family members. Voices of Hope is accessible 24-hours a day through their crisis line: 402-475-7273.
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The National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 1-800-799-7233 and can be reached by texting LOVEIS to 22522.
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The Nebraska Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence is available at 402-476-6256 and nebraskacoalition.org.
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Protection orders are still being processed in Lancaster County. The following assistance is available for those seeking protection orders:
- The Victim Assistance Unit at LPD, 575 S. 10th Street, is available from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and its phone number is 402-441-7181.
- Voices of Hope will walk individuals through the protection order applications and filings of these orders.
- Legal Aid of Nebraska is still providing attorneys to attend hearings for these orders. Legal Aid can be reached at 1-888-991-9921. The agency has a domestic violence project, and its COVID-19 legal hotline is 1-844-268-5627.
Discrimination
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Lincoln Commission on Human Rights
Learn about discrimination in employment and housing related to COVID-19.
Please report any discriminatory acts in housing, employment or public accommodation matters occurring in Lincoln to the Lincoln Commission on Human Rights by using the online Human Rights intake questionnaire or calling 402-441-7624.
Legal Resources
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Nebraskans facing legal issues related to COVID-19 may call 1-844-268-5627 or apply online. At the voicemail, leave your name, phone number, brief details of the problem and the assistance needed, and in what county they are located. Callers will receive a call back from experienced Legal Aid staff. Individuals and businesses that do not qualify for Legal Aid's free services will be directly referred to the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). VLP will then work to place cases with Nebraska volunteer lawyers who will also provide free legal assistance.
The types of legal issues associated with COVID-19 include:
- Tenants with rent issues, including those facing eviction;
- Debt problems, including debtors with garnishments or ordered to appear at a debtor's exam;
- Mortgage foreclosures, including advising on options for delinquent payments;
- Unemployment insurance denials;
- Employee rights, including sick leave and wage payments;
- Government benefits available to low-income persons such as ADC, SNAP, AABD, and SSI;
- Medicaid and medical insurance claims;
- Drafting wills, health care power of attorney, and transfer on death deeds;
- Domestic abuse and safety issues;
- Elder abuse and exploitation;
- Access to education; and,
- Helping small, locally owned businesses with business and employment related matters, including human relations issues, unemployment benefits, and contracts.
