Homestead Exemption information

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Despite the pandemic, SeniorHelp volunteers have continued to clean yards, deliver Meals on Wheels, shop for and deliver groceries, and complete outdoor home projects.

Other SeniorHelp services include rides to COVID-19 vaccination sites, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, holiday gift delivery, and teaching older adults how to access technology.

During the pandemic one SeniorHelp volunteer provided an emotional boost for a client by removing weeds and planting flowers in her yard.

Before joining the program, SeniorHelp volunteers are screened through background checks which help ensure the safety of the volunteers, the clients, and ENOA.

SeniorHelp’s 300 volunteers have the flexibility to take breaks to focus on their own priorities when necessary. As a result, 25% of them have been with the program for at least 10 years.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) – which features volunteers age 55 and older – works to enhance the community impact made by public and non-profit organizations, health institutions, food pantries, and senior centers.

RSVP’s Learning for All project teaches English as a second language to adults.

Nine RSVP volunteers are part of the Senior Smiles Program which connects them with Boys Town students and young mothers transitioning from the foster care system by providing encouragement through letters and cards recognizing achievements, birthdays, and other milestones.

“Learning for All and Senior Smiles are great contactfree volunteer placements during the pandemic,” Parker said.

National Volunteer Month is an excellent way to thank ENOA’s more than 600 volunteers, according to Parker.

“Words can’t express how grateful the staff is to work with such dedicated, generous individuals.”

Individuals like Mary Evans and Frank Herzog, ombudsman advocates since 2005 and 2007, respectively.

Gloria Gordon, age 91, has been a Foster Grandparent for 29 years.

A Senior Companion for nearly 20 years, Lucille Frizell volunteers an average of 30 hours a week.

Five other Senior Companions have been with the program for more than 10 years.

Nearly a third of the RSVP volunteers have more than 10 years of service including three with 27-plus years with the program.

National Volunteer Month isn’t limited to honoring the men and women enrolled in ENOA’s programs. Parker said since the pandemic began, a record number of calls have come into the office from members of the community offering their assistance to older adults in the agency’s fivecounty service area.

Going forward, Parker has a goal of providing the volunteers and clients with opportunities to learn more about and become proficient working with modern technology.

For more information on volunteering with ENOA, please call Parker at 402-444-6536.

The Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging’s Meals on Wheels program needs volunteers to deliver meals to older adults in Fremont.

On weekdays, volunteers will pick up coolers holding eight to 10 meals at the Fremont Friendship Center (Christensen Field), 1730 W. 16th St., around 11 a.m.

The volunteers – asked to deliver meals one to three days a week – will place each meal in a plastic bag, knock on the door or ring the doorbell of the meal recipient, then place the bag on the doorknob or a nearby table.

After the route – which should take around an hour – is completed, volunteers return the coolers to the Fremont Friendship Center.

For more information, please contact ENOA’s Volunteer Services division at seniorhelp.program@enoa.org or 402-444-6536. Applicants whose names are on file in the assessor’s office in Douglas, Sarpy, Dodge, Cass, and Washington counties should have had a homestead exemption form mailed to them by early March. New applicants must contact their county assessor’s office to receive the application.

The 2021 forms and a household income statement must be completed and returned to the county assessor’s office by June 30, 2021.

A homestead exemption provides property tax relief by exempting all or part of the homestead’s valuation from taxation. The state of Nebraska reimburses the counties and other government subdivisions for the lost tax revenues.

To qualify for a homestead exemption, a Nebraska homeowner must be age 65 by Jan. 1, 2021, the home’s owner/occupant through Aug. 15, 2021, and fall within the income guidelines shown below.

Certain homeowners who have a disability, are developmentally disabled, are totally disabled war veterans, or the widow(er) of a totally disabled war veteran – including those who have remarried after age 57 – may also be eligible for this annual tax break.

When determining household income, applicants must include Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits plus any income for which they receive a Form 1099.

The homestead exemption amount is based on the homeowner’s marital status and income level (see below). Maximum exemptions are based on the average assessed value for residential property in each Nebraska county.

Here are the numbers for the local assessor’s offices: Douglas: 402-4447060, options #2; Sarpy: 402-593-2122; Dodge: 402-727-3911; Cass: 402-2969310; and Washington: 402-426-6800.

Household income table

Over age 65 married income Over age 65 single income Exemption %

Volunteers needed to deliver meals weekdays in Fremont

0 - $35,100.99 $35,101 - $36,900.99 $36,901 - $38,800.99 $38,801 - $40,700.99 $40,701 - $42,600.99 $42,601 - $44,500.99 $44,501 - $46,400.99 $46,401 - $48,300.99 $48,301 - $50,200.99 $50,201 - $52,000.99 $52,001 and over

0 to $29,800.99 $29,801 - $31,400.99 $31,401 - $32,900.99 $32,901 - $34,500.99 $34,501 - $36,100.99 $36,101 - $37,600.99 $37,601 - $39,200.99 $39,201 - $40,700.99 $40,701 - $42,300.99 $42,301 - $43,800.99 $43,801 and over 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0