By Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Next Step Employment and Training (E&T) program saw an increase in both participants and partners throughout 2025, helping Nebraskans toward financial independence and providing substantial savings for the Nebraska taxpayers.
Starting as a pilot program in 2016, SNAP E&T is available for unemployed and underemployed recipients of SNAP, which provides low-income participants with funds to purchase food. The program includes a range of employment and training opportunities tailored to individual needs. Through services such as Vocational Training, Job Search Training and Job Retention, participants gain the skills and experience necessary to secure and retain jobs that pay a livable wage.
“This program plays a vital role in helping some of Nebraska’s most vulnerable populations move toward economic stability. By supporting individuals and families as they build stronger futures, we are also strengthening communities across our state,” said Shannon Grotrian, Director of the Office of Economic Assistance (OEA) in DHHS.
From Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 to 2025, SNAP E&T saw a 35 percent increase in enrollments. Of the participants, 63 percent of households no longer need SNAP and 24 percent of households need less assistance.
“We’re seeing participants becoming less reliant on public assistance as they move through the SNAP E&T program,” Grotrian said. “Each year, more Nebraskans are gaining the skills and support they need to achieve financial independence.”
SNAP E&T’s Vocational Training component is its most popular, as it provides participants with the opportunity to obtain credentials and hands-on training for in-demand careers across Nebraska. Participants saw an average increase in hourly income from $11.37 to $18.11 over just a 139-day average program duration.
Additionally, Apprenticeship, Self-Employment and Internships are new components of the program, allowing more opportunities for participants.
SNAP E&T also partners with community organizations, which offer targeted employment and training services across the state. These third-party partners help SNAP E&T participants with various programs, including GED preparation, English language acquisition, credentialed training and job placement assistance. The program has expanded from two third-party partners to 12 providers offering SNAP E&T services, including:
-Center for People
-City of Lincoln. ECHO Collective
-Goodwill Omaha. International Council for Refugees and Immigrants
-Lincoln Literacy
-Metro Community College
-No More Empty Pots
-The Bay
-Together Inc.
-Women’s Center for Advancement
-YWCA Adams County
Additionally, six new third-party partners are currently in the process of being added for FY26.
SNAP recipients interested in participating in this potentially life-changing program are encouraged to reach out to DHHS by emailing DHHS.SNAPNextStepEandT@nebraska.gov. Organizations interested in becoming a third-party partner can contact Melissa Zeiler at Melissa.Zeiler@nebraska.gov.
For more information and a map of current SNAP E&T counties, please visit https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/SNAP-Next-Step.aspx.