In Nebraska, rising childcare costs are weighing heavily on families, sparking frustration and anger, particularly towards the administration of President Donald Trump. Josh Wigginton and his wife found themselves in a challenging situation recently when they struggled to obtain the necessary state subsidy to support their childcare needs for their 7-year-old daughter, Nayeli.

The Wiggintons, like many families, rely on a childcare subsidy that had never presented complications in the past. Yet, months of delays in reauthorizing their assistance led to a precarious position this week — they were on the brink of being forced to pay out of pocket or risk losing their spot in a local childcare center.

“We’ve never had this problem before,” Josh expressed, feeling overwhelmed as he navigated communication issues with state officials. “I’m nervous. An email to our caseworker came back undeliverable, and I get hung up on when I call.”

The couple began the reauthorization process over two months ago, assuming that their routine would remain uninterrupted. Plan B involved countless follow-up calls, a second application submission, and even a trip to a state office where they were bounced from one official to another without resolution.

Finally, the Wiggintons received a call resolving their case after media inquiries prompted state officials to take action. For now, they avoided turning to family for help or having to take unpaid time off work.

However, they aren’t alone in facing such challenges. Advocates across Nebraska have reported similar struggles statewide, underscoring a crisis at the heart of childcare access and affordability. Families are facing increased delays and frustrating roadblocks in obtaining approval for essential subsidies.

Shannon Burks, who runs Creative Corner Child Care in Grand Island, noted that many of her clients are fraught with anxiety over their applications. “All of a sudden, everything just kind of got backlogged,” she said. Parents are coming to her expressing their frustrations, and she sympathizes with their plight.

According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the application process for a childcare subsidy can take up to six weeks. Families who qualify might receive full coverage, but depending on income, some may be required to pay a monthly fee. It is a system intended to alleviate financial strain, but the growing delays are doing the opposite for many.

A DHHS spokesman acknowledged that they are experiencing a “temporary” surge in processing times due to stricter eligibility restrictions outlined in President Trump’s “Big, Beautiful Bill,” passed by Congress in July 2025. These changes have partially shifted resources away from childcare subsidies, further complicating already lengthy approval processes.

In a bid to comply with new standards, state officials are now investing extensive staff time into verifying applicant details, particularly in connection with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The pressure is on states to ensure they keep their error rates low, or they risk facing financial penalties.

“Our focus is on preventing fraud and ensuring benefits go to those who truly need them,” said DHHS spokesman Jeff Powell. He assured that state agencies are actively working to hire additional personnel to assist with the backlog despite an existing hiring freeze geared toward addressing Nebraska’s budget deficits.

For the Wiggintons, the news that their caseworker had left the agency and a new liaison would handle their needs brought relief. “It’s a big pressure off of me,” said Josh, who works in human resources while his wife Amanda is a teacher. “I feel bad for people who don’t know the process.”

Advocacy groups, like First Five Nebraska, have identified that application processing times have increased to 45 days or longer for many families. They report that communication challenges and long hold times with state representatives are compounding the frustration.

Tasha McNeil, director of Brilliant Brains Learning Center in Omaha, described how she spent nearly four hours on the phone helping a daycare worker navigate the subsidy process for her family. While ultimately successful, the ordeal involved extensive documentation that compounded the worker’s anxiety.

Burks emphasized the urgent need for quicker processing times, noting that these delays often affect whether parents can maintain employment. “Quick turnarounds are important to struggling families,” she stated, illustrating the precarious balance many must manage.

As the childcare center manager at the Wiggintons’ facility, Justin Shapland has seen similar slowdowns. He, too, is concerned about processing times and how they affect not only families but also new hires subjected to lengthy background checks.

Amid a backdrop of rising childcare costs, many Nebraska families hope for an expedited resolution to their subsidy challenges. The implications of these delays extend beyond individual families, shaping the workforce and the economy as a whole.

With ongoing discussions around childcare policy and assistance programs, the future of support systems for working families remains at a critical juncture, as parents navigate a landscape transformed by increased costs and bureaucratic hurdles.