Nebraska Debt Relief
You may be one of the many Nebraskans who qualify for debt relief. Find out today!
Choose Debt Amount
Do you have payday loan debt?
Great news – you may qualify for debt relief!
Complete this form for immediate access to your free savings estimate.
- Relief available for many debt types
- Set your monthly & total savings
- Take control of your financial future
By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted by DebtHammer and / or it’s partners via email, phone and SMS, including by automated dialers or by automatic voicemail. I agree to be contacted even if I am on the do not call list. I also agree to DebtHammer’s terms of service.
Loading Results…
Please wait while we process your request.
You’re on the way to a debt-free life.
Please schedule an appointment so one of our specialists can walk you through your various solutions.
Thankyou ,
You’ve Been Matched With
DebtHammer.org is an organization that has helped thousands of people smash their debt and get back on the road to financial freedom. They help you compare 20+ loan options, plus other affordable ways to get rid of your debt – both short term and long term.
Please schedule an appointment so one of our specialists can walk you through your various solutions.
Redirecting you to a debt specialist in
Though Nebraskans’ average credit card debt is lower than average, it is still significant.
The state’s average of $4,819 lands them at #36 in the U.S., while the average personal loan balance is estimated at $24,901 and has an 8.75% average interest rate.
If you’re a Nebraskan struggling with debt, there are resources that can help. To learn about them, read on.
Are you eligible for debt relief?
If you’re a Nebraska resident, DebtHammer may be able to help.
Nebraska overview
The total estimated population of Nebraska is 1,963,692, making it one of the least populated states. In 2020, the poverty rate was 9.2%, which is lower than the national average of 11.6%.
According to the census, the median household income in Nebraska is around $63,015. For comparison, the real median household income in the USA is about $70,000.
Read along to learn about your options if you need debt relief and financial assistance.
Nebraska debt statistics
- Average household debt: $42,139
- Average student loan debt: $31,919
- Average credit score: 728 (in the top 10 states with the highest credit score)
- Median mortgage payment: $1,352 average mortgage payment
- Bankruptcies: 131.84 per 100,000 residents (2021)
- Personal income: $52,110 annual mean wage for all occupations
- Child poverty: 11% (2019)
- Unemployment: 2.2%
Debt relief options for Nebraska residents
We recommend using the calculator below to see how much you can save with debt relief in Nebraska.
How much unsecured debt do you currently have?
(An approximate answer is fine - do not include loans for cars and mortgages)
Do you have payday loan debt?
Great news – you may qualify for debt relief!
Complete this form for immediate access to your free savings estimate.
- Relief available for many debt types
- Set your monthly & total savings
- Take control of your financial future
By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted by DebtHammer and / or it's partners via email, phone and SMS, including by automated dialers or by automatic voicemail. I agree to be contacted even if I am on the do not call list. I also agree to DebtHammer's terms of service.
Loading Results...
Please wait while we process your request.
You're on the way to a debt-free life.
Please schedule an appointment so one of our specialists can walk you through your various solutions.
Thankyou ,
You've Been Matched With
DebtHammer.org is an organization that has helped thousands of people smash their debt and get back on the road to financial freedom. They help you compare 20+ loan options, plus other affordable ways to get rid of your debt – both short term and long term.
Please schedule an appointment so one of our specialists can walk you through your various solutions.
Redirecting you to a debt specialist in
Debt relief exists for Nebraskans, including:
- Debt consolidation loans: The act of consolidating debt involves rolling several debts into one loan (or credit card). This is useful if the new loan has a lower interest rate than the original debts. It’s also helpful for managing payments since you only need to make one each month.
- Debt settlement: Debt settlement agencies can help you settle large debts – usually for up to 50% of what you originally owed. You may need to pay the new amount in a lump sum. The agency may also charge a service fee based on the amount of debt settled.
- DIY plans: Do-it-yourself debt settlement plans are another useful way to pay off high amounts of credit card or loan debt. Instead of going through an agency, you’ll work directly with your creditors to reduce your debt. This requires strong negotiation skills.
- Debt Management Plan: Offered through nonprofit credit counseling agencies, Debt Management Plans can also help with debt relief. With one, it can take anywhere from 3 to 5 years to pay off any eligible debts.
- Bankruptcy: Declaring bankruptcy is generally considered a last resort, but it could give you a fresh start if you face overwhelming debt. The two main types of personal bankruptcy are Chapter 7 and Chapter 13.
Debt settlement resources
Debt settlement involves negotiating with your creditors to reduce the total you owe. In Alabama, virtually all unsecured debts can be settled. This includes:
- Credit cards
- Department store cards
- Personal loans or lines of credit
- Personal lines of credit
- Old judgments
- Student loans in default
You can settle your debts in two ways:
- Negotiate directly with your creditors
- Use a professional debt settlement company
Debt settlement companies
- Green Credit LLC: 4852 S 133rd St, Omaha, NE 68137; (402) 933-3600
- Credit Advisors: 1850 S. 72nd Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68124; (800) 766-3328
- National Debt Relief
- CuraDebt
- New Era Debt Solutions
- Pacific Debt Relief
Debt settlement attorneys
- Steffens Law Office: 1919 S 40th St Suite 308, Lincoln, NE 68506; steffenslaw.com
- Sam Turco Law Offices: 3006 S 87th St, Omaha, NE 68124; samturcolaw.net
- Skrupa Law Office: 620 N 48th St, Lincoln, NE 68504; skrupalawoffice.com
- Husker Law: 1055 115th St #302, Omaha, NE 68154; huskerlaw.com
Debt resources for Nebraska residents facing hardship
Nebraska has many local and state resources available for Nebraskans facing financial hardship. This includes:
- Pro bono or low-cost legal aid
- Housing assistance and bill pay
- Low-cost childcare
- Job training and employment resources
Almost half of Americans are struggling to put food on the table. The state also has many food banks and pantries, which provide free, nutritious food to low-income households. Here are a few of the bigger ones:
St. Vincent De Paul Society Pantry
- 2101 Leavenworth St, Omaha, NE 68105
- (402) 866-0081
- 2021 U St, Omaha, NE 68107
- (402) 733-1904
- 615 W 1st St, Grand Island, NE 68801
- (308) 385-5190
Helping Hands – Kearney
- 1724 1st Ave, Kearney, NE 68847
- (308) 627-4859
- 549 N H St, Fremont, NE 68025
- (402) 721-3125
If you’re looking for a food bank nearby, check with Food Bank for the Heartland. The site includes a comprehensive list of food banks based on zip code and distance.
Debt collection laws
Nebraska residents are protected by the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). Enacted in 1978, this law is meant to prevent third-party debt collectors from using deceptive, threatening, unfair, or abusive tactics to collect unpaid debts. The FDCPA does not apply to creditors collecting their own debts.
Although debt collectors are limited, they can still do a few things, including:
- No longer do business with the person who owes the debt.
- Report accounts in default to credit reporting agencies (ex. Experian or TransUnion)
- Initiate a lawsuit to try to collect the debt (this could also lead to wage garnishment)
State law in Nebraska requires debt collectors to register with the Secretary of State before conducting business as a collection agency. This falls under Statute 45-601.
Statute 45-601 indicates that a collection agency must be licensed in order to collect debts from anyone. Failure to obtain licensing will result in a class III misdemeanor for each day that the business continues to operate. The maximum penalty for this misdemeanor is 5 days in jail and a $300 fine.
READ MORE: How to deal with debt collectors when you can’t pay
Income and employment
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Nebraska had an unemployment rate of 8.2% in 2020. By September 2022, that number had dropped to 2.2%. Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Connecticut, and Wyoming have some of the lowest unemployment rates in the country.
In terms of job creation, Nebraska is currently ranked 38th out of 50 states.
The state of Nebraska is a right-to-work state (Statute 48-217). This means employees in the state do not have to join a union in order to be employed. The downside is that employees of Nebraska often have less job security than states that do require union membership. They may also have lower wages.
Nebraska is also an employment-at-will state. This means that a company can fire any employee for any or no reason at all. There are a couple of exceptions to this, such as discrimination. However, employment-at-will states generally have less job security than other states as well.
How to apply for unemployment benefits
The Department of Labor in Nebraska offers a breakdown of how to apply for unemployment benefits. Before submitting a claim for unemployment benefits, register on NEworks for re-employment. After that, either file a claim online at NEworks.nebraska.gov or apply in person at a local job center.
Applicants will need several pieces of information including their:
- Social Security Number
- Home address
- E-mail address and phone number
- Military status
- Government-issued ID (ex. driver’s license or passport)
- History of employment and income
It can take up to 21 days to process claims, so get started as soon as possible to avoid delays. You’ll need to check all forms of communication while waiting for your claim to be processed. Along with this, file for weekly benefits at NEworks.
Banking and taxes
Like many other states, Nebraska has a graduated individual income tax ranging from 2.46% to 6.84%. Currently, the four tax brackets are:
- 2.46% for individuals on the first $2,399 ($4,799 for joint filers)
- 3.51% for individuals on $2,400 to $17,499 ($4,800 to $34.999 for joint filers)
- 5.01% for individuals on $17,500 to $26,999 ($35,000 to $53,999 for joint filers)
- 6.84% for individuals on $27,000 and up ($54,000 and up for joint filers)
There may be exceptions to this rule. The exact income amounts are also subject to change each year.
As for sales tax, Nebraska’s current rate is 5.5%.
In terms of banking, an estimated 6.5% of Nebraskans didn’t have a checking or savings account in 2019. That’s around 127,639 people.
Housing market
According to the Census, approximately 66.20% of Nebraska residents own their own house. The state offers homestead exemptions to those who are eligible. Criteria depend on things like the value of the home, the age of the individual, and whether they’re a veteran or have a qualifying disability.
For example, homeowners over the age of 65 with an income under $30,700.99 could protect 100% of their home equity – up to $40,000 of the assessed value. For more information on the homestead exemption, refer to the Department of Revenue.
Currently, the average price for homes in Nebraska is around $248,627. This is a 10.2% increase over the past year, but it’s still over $109,000 lower than the national average home value of $357,810. The median mortgage payment is $1,427 – less than the national average.
Rental prices vary based on the city, neighborhood, and apartment size. In Omaha, a city with nearly half a million people, the average rent for an apartment if $1,101.
Retirement in Nebraska
According to Personal Capital, the average Nebraska resident has just over $400,000 saved up for retirement. The amount needed to live comfortably in retirement varies based on things like city and other assets. However, one study found that Nebraskans should have $629,051 set aside to maintain their standard of living during retirement.
Average insurance premiums
Nebraskans spend, on average, $1,794 each year on car insurance premiums. This is around $150 a month. It’s also several hundred dollars higher than the national average.
The average home insurance policy on a property valued at $250,000 costs about $2,800 a year, or $233 or so a month. This is almost double the national average, but partly due to environmental risks and weather conditions.
Payday lending status: Prohibited
Payday lending is a major concern throughout much of the United States. In 2020, Nebraskans passed a ballot measure to cap payday loan interest rates to 36% APR. This measure passed with more than 80% support.
Since then, every payday lender has shut down in the state.
Statute of limitations on debt
The statute of limitations on debt (the period in which a debt collector can take legal action to collect the owed amount) depends on the type of debt:
- Medical debt: 5 years
- Credit card debt: 4 years
- Auto loan debt: 4 years
- State tax debt: 3 or more years
State hardship programs
Nebraska has many state-specific hardship programs to help residents in need. Here are some of the main ones:
- Nebraska Emergency Rental Assistance Program: This program funded around $158 million to help low-income households pay their rent and utility bills during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): This program helps households offset the cost of heating and cooling their home. It can help with different types of fuel sources, including gas, oil, coal, and electricity.
- Nebraska Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF): Families with minors in the household can receive financial help with things like bill pay (rent, utilities, etc.), food, and other essentials. In some cases, it may be the only cash assistance families can get.
- Nebraska Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC): Designed to support low-income families meet basic nutrition needs, this free program is offered nationwide. It also provides nutrition information and breastfeeding support.
- Nebraska Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program: This state program can help Nebraskans lower their energy costs and make their homes more energy efficient.
- Nebraska Homeowner Assistance Fund (NHAF): For those struggling with mortgage, property taxes, HOA fees, homeowner’s insurance, or utility bills, this program could help.
- Nebraska Food Stamp Program: Also known as SNAP, this program helps low-income individuals and families afford food.
- CHIP Kids Connection: Part of Nebraska’s Medicaid program, CHIP helps anyone under the age of 19 pay for medical care. Nebraska also has Medicaid for eligible residents.
Nebraska also offers economic assistance and employment support to people who need it.
Help for veterans
An estimated 126,951 veterans lived in Nebraska in 2020. The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs offers many resources to help veterans struggling with finances or to reintegrate into civilian life.
Facilities in Nebraska
The primary VA hospital is in Omaha. Here are some of the main VA offices in Nebraska and how to contact them:
Adams County Veterans Service Office
- 300 N. Joseph Ave. PO Box 613
- Phone: (402) 461-7162
Nemaha County Veterans Service Office
- Wellness Center 601 J Street Auburn, NE 68305
- Phone: (402) 274-3419
Douglas County Veterans Service Office
- 1111 S 41st St Omaha, NE 68105
- Phone: (402) 444-7180
Lancaster County Veterans Service Office
- 605 S 10th St Room 373 Lincoln, NE 68508
- Phone: (402) 441-7361
Sarpy County Veterans Service Office
- 1102 E 1st St Suite 5 Papillion, NE 68046
- Phone: (402) 593-2203
For a complete list of VA offices, check out the official directory.
Employment resources for Veterans
Here are some resources for veterans looking for financial assistance or help transitioning back into civilian life:
- CareerOneStop is a one-stop shop for job resources plus an online job search portal
- VeteranRecruiting.com offers employment assistance, a virtual recruitment center, and online career fairs
- Helmets to Hardhats is a national program helping veterans get into a construction career
- Hiring Our Heroes is a national program designed to help veterans with career and education opportunities
- My Next Move is a comprehensive website for veterans and non-veterans alike trying to find a civilian job that uses their military skills
- Warriors to Work offers career counseling and other job-related services
The bottom line
Debt relief and financial hardship programs are prevalent throughout the state of Nebraska if you know where to look. Many of these resources are state-specific, but some are nationwide. Whether you need help getting a handle on debt or are struggling with monthly expenses, there are options.
FAQs
This depends on the type of debt, but most debts cannot be collected 5 years from the date of the last payment. After this point, debt collectors cannot sue you.
The statute of limitations begins on the date of your last payment on the debt. If you make another payment after the statute of limitations expires, it may restart.
When you get divorced in Nebraska, most existing debts are divided in the same way as assets. If your spouse acquired a debt before marriage, that debt is typically their responsibility. If the debt was acquired during the marriage, it might be both of your responsibility. Speak with a divorce lawyer for more information.
