Nebraska joined the national Reentry 2030 initiative in February 2024 as the fourth state in the country, launching TRANSFORM Nebraska -- a whole-of-government commitment to improving reentry outcomes. Among the most direct commitments: 100% of individuals leaving Nebraska state prisons will have a state ID and birth certificate before release, and 100% of eligible individuals will be enrolled in Medicaid.
Those are goals the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) is actively working toward through reentry specialists, individualized reentry plans, and its 5-Key Model for Reentry and Well-Being. Here is what currently exists, where the gaps remain, and what you need to do.
What NDCS Provides at Release
The Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS, corrections.nebraska.gov) begins reentry planning from the moment an individual enters the system. Within the first 14 days of incarceration, a reentry specialist meets with each individual to begin planning. As release approaches, meetings become more frequent -- at 18 months, 6 months, 30 days, and other key milestones -- to ensure a smooth transition.
Reentry Planner: NDCS provides an interactive Reentry Planner that covers identification, housing, employment, medical and mental health care, addiction recovery, self-care, financial obligations, education, transportation, and daily needs.
5-Key Model for Reentry and Well-Being: NDCS uses the strengths-based 5-Key Model, which builds on healthy thinking patterns, effective coping strategies, meaningful work, positive relationships, and active social engagement as the foundation for reentry preparation.
ID and birth certificate goal: As part of its Reentry 2030 commitment, NDCS has set a goal of assisting 100% of individuals with obtaining a state ID and birth certificate before release. Ask your reentry specialist early -- do not wait until the month before release -- about the status of your ID application and whether your birth certificate has been requested.
Medicaid enrollment goal: NDCS has committed to enrolling 100% of eligible individuals in Medicaid before release. Ask your reentry specialist whether your Medicaid application has been submitted and whether coverage will be active when you leave.
Warm handoff: NDCS has implemented a warm handoff between incarceration and parole staff to reduce anxiety and build familiarity with community supervision before release.
Family support program: NDCS provides programming to prepare spouses, parents, children, and other family members for the return of their loved one.
Getting Your Nebraska State ID or Driver's License
Nebraska state IDs and driver's licenses are issued by the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV, dmv.nebraska.gov).
If your ID was not processed before release, visit any Nebraska DMV location. You will need documents establishing your identity, Social Security number, and Nebraska residency. Standard documents include a birth certificate or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of a Nebraska address. Your NDCS release documentation serves as a supporting identity document.
Ask your reentry specialist before release about the status of your ID application. The Reentry 2030 goal is 100% of individuals leaving with an ID -- confirm whether yours is in process.
Getting Your Social Security Card
If your Social Security card was not obtained before release, contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate.
Ask your reentry specialist whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing the card replacement and benefit application process to begin up to 90 days before release.
Getting Your Birth Certificate
If you were born in Nebraska, request a certified copy from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Vital Records at dhhs.ne.gov or by calling (402) 471-2871. The fee is currently $12 per copy.
If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office. Your NDCS reentry specialist should be initiating this request as part of pre-release planning. Confirm it has been done.
Medicaid in Nebraska
Nebraska expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. Low-income adults who meet income requirements are generally eligible for Nebraska Medicaid after release. Nebraska Medicaid is administered by DHHS and accessed through ACCESSNebraska (accessnebraska.ne.gov) or by calling 1-800-383-4278.
NDCS has committed to enrolling 100% of eligible individuals in Medicaid before release as part of its Reentry 2030 goals. Ask your reentry specialist before release whether your Medicaid enrollment has been initiated and whether your coverage will be active when you leave.
If you are released without Medicaid, apply immediately at accessnebraska.ne.gov or call 1-800-383-4278.
SNAP: Food Assistance
Nebraska retains a lifetime ban on SNAP for felony drug convictions. As of July 2025, Nebraska has not modified or removed this ban. People with felony drug convictions are not eligible for SNAP in Nebraska, regardless of how long ago the conviction occurred or whether the sentence has been completed.
This ban applies to SNAP only. It does not affect eligibility for Medicaid or other benefits.
Advocates have pushed for reform. Bills to remove or modify the ban have been introduced in the Nebraska Legislature but have not passed as of July 2025. Confirm the current status of Nebraska's SNAP drug felony ban with Nebraska Legal Aid (legalaidofnebraska.org) or at dhhs.ne.gov before applying, as the law may change.
If you have a felony drug conviction and need food assistance in Nebraska, contact your local food bank, local community action agency, or call 211 Nebraska for food referrals.
Voting Rights in Nebraska
Nebraska restores voting rights 2 years after the completion of your sentence, including any period of probation or parole. You do not automatically regain your right to vote when your sentence ends or when you complete supervision -- you must wait an additional 2 years after the completion of all supervision.
This two-year waiting period is one of the longer restoration timelines in the country. Confirm the current timeline and your specific eligibility with the Nebraska Secretary of State's office (sos.nebraska.gov) or Nebraska Legal Aid (legalaidofnebraska.org).
NDCS and Reentry Resources
Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (corrections.nebraska.gov): Reentry specialists from day one; 5-Key Model; Reentry Planner; 100% ID and Medicaid goals; warm handoff to parole; family support program. TRANSFORM Nebraska and Reentry 2030.
ACCESSNebraska (accessnebraska.ne.gov; 1-800-383-4278): Nebraska Medicaid and other benefit applications; DHHS.
Nebraska DMV (dmv.nebraska.gov): State ID and driver's license.
Nebraska DHHS Vital Records (dhhs.ne.gov; 402-471-2871): Birth certificates; currently $12 per copy.
Nebraska Legal Aid (legalaidofnebraska.org): Free civil legal assistance for eligible low-income Nebraskans, including benefit access, housing rights, and voting rights questions.
211 Nebraska (dial 211 or ne.211.org): Statewide referrals to food, housing, health, and social services by county. Primary resource for food assistance if SNAP is not available due to drug conviction.
Social Security Administration (ssa.gov; 1-800-772-1213): SSI and SSDI applications; SSA Reentry Benefits at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
Frequently asked questions
Does NDCS help with ID documents before release?
Yes. As part of its Reentry 2030 commitment, NDCS has set a goal of assisting 100% of individuals with obtaining a state ID and birth certificate before release. Reentry specialists work with individuals from intake through release, with meetings at key milestones including 18 months, 6 months, and 30 days before release. Ask your reentry specialist directly about the status of your ID application early in the process -- do not wait until close to your release date.
Can I get Medicaid after prison in Nebraska?
Yes. Nebraska expanded Medicaid and low-income adults are generally eligible. NDCS has committed to enrolling 100% of eligible individuals in Medicaid before release. Ask your reentry specialist whether your enrollment has been initiated and whether coverage will be active when you leave. If you release without Medicaid, apply immediately at accessnebraska.ne.gov or call 1-800-383-4278. Nebraska Medicaid is administered by DHHS through ACCESSNebraska.
Can I get SNAP after prison with a drug conviction?
No, not as of July 2025. Nebraska retains a lifetime ban on SNAP for felony drug convictions and has not modified or removed it. This affects anyone with a felony drug conviction, regardless of how long ago the conviction occurred. Confirm the current status at dhhs.ne.gov or with Nebraska Legal Aid (legalaidofnebraska.org) -- legislation to change this has been introduced but has not passed. If SNAP is unavailable, contact your local food bank, community action agency, or call 211 Nebraska (dial 211) for food resources.
Can I vote after prison in Nebraska?
Nebraska requires a 2-year waiting period after completion of your entire sentence, including any period of probation or parole, before your voting rights are restored. You do not automatically regain voting rights when supervision ends -- the 2-year wait begins after that. This is one of the longer restoration timelines in the country. Confirm the current timeline and your specific eligibility with the Nebraska Secretary of State (sos.nebraska.gov) or Nebraska Legal Aid (legalaidofnebraska.org).
How do I get my birth certificate in Nebraska?
If you were born in Nebraska, request a certified copy from the Nebraska DHHS Vital Records at dhhs.ne.gov or by calling (402) 471-2871. The current fee is $12 per copy. Your NDCS reentry specialist should initiate this request as part of pre-release planning -- confirm it has been done. If you were born in another state, contact that state's vital records office early, as out-of-state requests take time.
How do I replace my Social Security card in Nebraska?
Contact SSA at 1-800-772-1213, apply online at ssa.gov, or visit your nearest SSA office. Replacement cards are free. Bring your state ID and birth certificate. Ask your reentry specialist whether your facility has a prerelease SSA agreement allowing this process to begin up to 90 days before release. SSA reentry benefits information is at ssa.gov/reentry/benefits.htm.
What is TRANSFORM Nebraska?
TRANSFORM Nebraska is the Nebraska Department of Correctional Services' comprehensive reentry framework, launched as part of the state's Reentry 2030 commitment in February 2024. It uses the 5-Key Model for Reentry and Well-Being, individualized reentry plans, vocational and life skills programming, a warm handoff from incarceration to parole, and family support programming. Goals include 100% of individuals leaving with ID and Medicaid enrollment, 90% employed within 30 days of parole placement, and an increase in Nebraska's community success rate from 72% to 82% by 2030.
What is the Nebraska Reentry 2030 initiative?
Nebraska joined Reentry 2030 on February 1, 2024, becoming the fourth state in the nation to participate in this national initiative led by the Council of State Governments Justice Center, Correctional Leaders Association, and JustLeadershipUSA. Nebraska's specific commitments include: 100% of eligible individuals enrolled in Medicaid before release; 100% of individuals with a state ID and birth certificate before release; 90% employed within 30 days of parole placement; a Nebraska Reentry Council of public, private, and service provider entities; and an increase in Nebraska's community success rate from 72% to 82% by 2030.
What benefits can I apply for after release in Nebraska?
Medicaid through ACCESSNebraska (accessnebraska.ne.gov; 1-800-383-4278) for low-income adults -- NDCS aims to enroll you before release. SNAP (food assistance) at dhhs.ne.gov -- but note that felony drug convictions carry a lifetime SNAP ban in Nebraska as of July 2025; confirm current law. SSI or SSDI through SSA (1-800-772-1213) if you qualify through age or disability. Veterans' benefits through the VA if applicable. Employment services through Nebraska Workforce Development. Legal Aid of Nebraska (legalaidofnebraska.org) for free help navigating benefit access.
What is the 5-Key Model used by NDCS?
The 5-Key Model for Reentry and Well-Being is a strengths-based framework that NDCS uses as the foundation of its reentry approach, implemented in partnership with Dr. Carrie Pettus of Wellness and Equity Innovations. The five keys are: healthy thinking patterns, effective coping strategies, meaningful work, positive relationships, and active social engagement. The model recognizes that success after incarceration depends on building capacity across all five areas, not just addressing deficits. Reentry specialists use the model to develop individualized reentry plans from the first 14 days of incarceration through release. ---