Economic Justice

At Nebraska Appleseed, we think of our poverty-fighting efforts as building a ladder that leads people out of crisis. Public services can and should work this way – finding people who have fallen into poverty, then connecting them to programs and resources that lead to true financial independence. Up and up. Step by step. If you imagine that ladder, Nebraska Appleseed’s work is focused on filling in the gaps – fixing broken rungs or building new ones. When we find a problem, we look past short-term or surface solutions to get to the underlying need. And we try to think about the entire system. What help do people need now? What will they need next? Is there a clear pathway to financial security? Our work is motivated by hope and confidence. We believe that most people can reach financial independence if the path out of poverty is clear.

Current Projects & Initiatives:

Education & Job Training

Appleseed believes education and skills training are the quickest ways to open doors to opportunity for all Nebraskans. We work with our state’s leaders to offer flexible, affordable programs for working adults to go to classes, and offer support services that help low-income families work towards their success.

Publications ▼

On Our Blog

Food Security

More than ten percent of Nebraskans don’t know where their next meal will come from.

Nebraska under-utilizes federal nutrition programs and we work to fill in those gaps. Appleseed promotes policy changes that give Nebraskans access to stable food assistance.

Food & Nutrition ▼

School Breakfast Matters | Summer Food Matters | On Our Blog

Public Assistance & ACCESS Nebraska

Public assistance programs help families meet their basic needs.

Appleseed works to strengthen these systems so people have help when they need it, and protects the rights of the Nebraska families to have full access to critical services.

General Publications ▼

ADC & Employment First ▼

ACCESS Nebraska ▼

Immigrants & Public Assistance ▼

On Our Blog

Class Action Litigation

From time to time, Nebraska Appleseed takes to the courtroom to fight for systemic changes that protect the legal rights of our state’s families. Through the legal system, we aim to hold the state accountable to the fair administration of public programs and ensure fair access to these services for all Nebraskans.

Economic Justice Litigation

Letters

Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

Cases

Johnsen v. Nebraska (class action)

Pleadings
- Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Praecipe
Briefs
- Plaintiff’s Brief for Summary Judgment
- Defendant’s Brief in Support of Summary Judgment
Orders
- Order Denying Temporary Injunction
- Summary Judgement
Other
- Press Release 06/27/2002

Letters

Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services

Cases

Leiting-Hall & Dankleff v. Winterer & Pristow

Amended Complaint

Cases

Salts v. Lancaster County

Pleadings
- Petition
- Answer
- Reply
Briefs
Orders
Other
- Press Release 06/03/2004

Cases

Kai v. Nebraska (class action)

Pleadings
- Complaint
Briefs
Motions
- Motion for Class Certification
- Motion for Injunction
Orders
- Order Denying Temporary Injunction
- 8th Circuit Order
Other

Bowlin v. Montanez (class action)

Rulemaking Petitions

Petition for Rule Change of “100 Hour Rule”

*Medicaid Sanctions*
Cases	Davio v. HHS (class action) Pleadings Petition and Praecipe Briefs Motion for Class Certification Defendants Brief in Support of Motion to Dismiss Brief in Opposition to Motion to Dismiss Brief in Support of Class Certification Defendants’ Brief in Opposition to Class Certification HHS Reply Brief, Motion to Dismiss Appellee Reply Brief and Brief on Cross-Appeal Brief for Appellants Appellant’s Reply Brief Answer Brief on Cross-Appeal Reply Brief to Answer Brief on Cross-Appeal Orders Order Denying Motion to Dismiss, Granting Class Certification Order Requiring HHS to Reinstate Medicaid Benefits NE Supreme Court Order Affirming District Court Decision Other Press Release 05/20/2008 Press Release 07/02/2009 Press Release 07/23/2010
*Post Secondary Education*
Cases	Walters v. Nebraska (class action) Pleadings Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Praecipe Orders Order for Summary Judgment Other Press Release 09/18/2001
	Kosmicki v. Nebraska Briefs Attorney General’s Appellant Brief Nebraska Appleseed Appellee Brief & Cross Appeal Appellant’s Reply Brief & Cross Appeal Brief Orders Judge Colborn 03/27/2001 Nebraska Supreme Court 11/08/2003
	Keith v. HHS Pleadings Petition Answer Briefs Petitioner’s Brief Respondent’s Brief Petitioner’s Reply Brief Motions Motion to Stay Orders District Court Order
*Time Limits*
Cases	Jones v. Nebraska (class action) Pleadings Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Praecipe Briefs Brief in Support of Motion for Reconsideration and Hearing Brief in Support of Motion for Summary Judgment Brief in Support of Defendants’ Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment Motions Motion for Sanctions for Spoliation of Evidence Orders Judge Colborn 12/12/2001 Other Press Release 12/14/2001 Press Release 08/01/2000
*Family Cap*
Cases	Mason v. Nebraska (class action) Pleadings Petition for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief and Praecipe Briefs Amicus Brief filed by the NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund Amicus Brief filed by the ACLU Foundation Women’s Rights Project and Foundation Nebraska of Nebraska Nebraska Appleseed Trial Brief State of Nebraska’s Defendant’s Brief Plaintiff’s Closing Brief Appellant’s Brief Appellee’s Brief Appellant’s Reply Brief Orders Judge Merritt Nebraska Supreme Court Other Press Release 10/29/2001 Press Release 06/11/2001 Press Release 09/15/2000
*Income Disregards*
Cases	Bauer v. Rasmussen Pleadings Petition For Judicial Review Briefs Appellant Brief Orders Nebraska Supreme Court Other Press Release 01/05/2001