Where your future begins

Benefits Analysis Services

Contact: Carla Lasley
Created: 2026-05-28
Date Emailed to Staff: 2026-06-30
Effective Date: 2026-07-01

Summary of Changes

Changes made based on recommendations/results of Benefits Services Cost study completed in April, 2026, including:

• Revisions to rates for the four Benefits Analysis Services
• Change to authorizing Benefits Planning, rather than Benefits Assessment, before IPE for clients who are working or have a job offer 
• Emphasizes/includes the discussion of PASS at the time of Benefits Planning service as a work incentive for those who plan to work off SSI/SSDI benefits
• Notes providers should discuss how to access community resources during Benefits Planning, when needed
• Change to allow Benefits Management to be authorized concurrently with other benefits services, before or after IPE, describes report requirements, and notes that service may be authorized up to 2 times while case is open unless exception is granted  

Forms - New or Revised

The Assessment Supports Form has been updated to reflect that Benefits Assessment and Benefits Management may be added as an Assessment Support to Career Planning.   

QE2 Update

Change to allow for authorization of Benefits Planning prior to IPE, as follows:  QE2 Category: Career Planning, QE2 Service: Assessment Support: Benefits Planning

Change to allow for authorization of Benefits Management as an Assessment Support:  QE2 Category: Career Planning, QE2 Servies Assessment Support: Benefits Management.  The service may also be authorized as a Plan Service.  It may be authorized before or after IPE and concurrently with other benefits services. 

To Do

QE2 updates to rates and adding Benefits Planning as an Assessment support under Career Planning.

QE2 updates to allow Benefits Management to be authorized concurrently with all other Benefits Services - before or after IPE, including as an assessment support under Career Planning.  

Team Communication

Discuss list of changes effective 7/1/26 as noted in VRIS update.

VRIS Posting

https://webforms.nebraska.gov/program_manual_chapters/1274 

Monitoring Requirements

To be monitored in case reviews.

Training Dates

June 24 and 26, 2026.  6/26 recording was sent to all staff and will be available for 30 days.