Personal Assistant Services in Lincoln, NE

Define the work before choosing an assistant

Describe the result you want: groceries delivered to your door, appointments entered into a shared calendar, returns completed with receipts, or repair visits coordinated while you are away. Separate tasks that require a visit from tasks the assistant can complete remotely. Ask the candidate to confirm which tasks they accept.

For an errand route, provide pickup addresses, opening times you have checked, order numbers and delivery instructions. Tell the assistant which task takes priority if a store delay prevents completion. Agree on who authorizes substitutions, how they contact you and what they should do if you cannot answer.

For recurring support, start with a limited assignment before granting broader access. Review completed tasks, receipts and communication together. Decide whether to book a fixed visit, a block of hours or individual requests, and put cancellation and rescheduling terms in writing.

Choose the right support for daily living

Nebraska DHHS uses Personal Assistance Services, or PAS, for help with activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing for someone with a chronic medical condition or disability. Its stated eligibility includes receiving Medicaid, living at home rather than in an institution, and having an assessed need to live in the community. [4]

If you need that kind of help, use the iServe pathway identified by DHHS to ask about eligibility and assessment. DHHS says you and your iServe worker assess the time required for your specific needs, and you have the right to choose your provider and direct your care. Ask about this pathway before arranging ordinary errand support to perform personal-care tasks. [4]

Keep medication pickup and medical procedures separate in your task list. NeighborLNK lists medication delivery among its errands. For PAS medical procedures, DHHS describes conditions involving provider training, a completed form returned to DHHS, and ongoing monitoring and direction. Confirm the required arrangements with DHHS before assigning a procedure. [1] [4]

Compare labor, travel and purchase charges

Request a written quote that separates labor, any minimum booking, travel time, mileage, parking and purchases. Ask when the billing clock starts and whether waiting at a pickup counts as work time. Agree on a maximum charge and require approval before the assistant exceeds it. The supplied official sources do not establish a local hourly price for paid assistants.

The IRS publishes a national business mileage reference of 72.5 cents per mile for January through June 2026 and 76 cents per mile for July through December 2026. These figures concern tax deductions. Use them as context when discussing a proposed mileage charge, and write the provider's agreed charge into your booking terms. [5]

Ask whether the assistant charges both driving time and mileage. Set a purchase budget separate from the service budget, request itemized receipts and decide how refunds reach you. For grocery orders, consider placing and paying for the order yourself, then sharing the pickup details the store requires.

Check screening and limit access

Ask candidates who performed their screening, when they performed it and which places and records they checked. The Nebraska State Patrol charges $45 for a Nebraska criminal history request and allows up to three business days after receiving a request in good order. Its records include fingerprinted Nebraska arrests, subject to public-record redactions, and exclude arrests in other states. [2]

Review any report in context, including the disposition of an arrest. Ask for references relevant to the work you plan to assign. For driving errands, ask the provider to confirm coverage for the proposed use of their vehicle. For passenger transport, discuss that assignment separately before booking.

Agree on key handling, entry instructions and who may enter your home. Share only the account access needed for the assignment; avoid handing over your main email or banking password. Set a spending limit and a rule for approving additional purchases. After the work ends, retrieve keys and remove any access you granted.

2026 IRS business mileage references

Choose a support arrangement by task

Your hiring checklist

1. Write the tasks, addresses, deadlines and desired completion results.
2. Identify home entry, driving, purchases and personal-care needs before requesting quotes.
3. Ask candidates to separate labor, minimum bookings, travel time, mileage and other expenses.
4. Confirm screening scope, relevant references and coverage for the proposed driving work.
5. Set purchase limits, substitution rules and a method for approving extra charges.
6. Confirm pickup authorization with each store, pharmacy or library before dispatch.
7. Agree on key handling, account access, receipts and a completion update.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much should I budget for a paid assistant?

Request a task-specific quote rather than treating an unsourced hourly range as a local price. Ask for labor, minimum booking, travel time, mileage and purchase costs as separate items. Set a maximum total and require approval for extra work.

Can NeighborLNK help with groceries and companionship?

Yes, for homebound participants meeting its age or disability criteria. The program lists prepaid grocery pickup and delivery plus phone or video companionship. Volunteers do not enter homes. Request assistance through the program and discuss services and schedules after matching. [1]

Does a Nebraska background report cover other states?

No. Nebraska State Patrol says its Nebraska criminal history reports do not reflect arrests in other states. Ask the provider what additional screening they completed and review references before granting home or purchase access. [2]

Can a family member provide Medicaid Personal Assistance Services?

DHHS says a family member may become a paid provider if they meet provider qualifications and are not legally responsible for you. A spouse or the parent or guardian of a minor child cannot be a paid provider under the stated rule. Confirm your circumstances with DHHS. [4]