Nebraska Veterans Benefits & Disabled Veterans Benefits

Lori Waddell

6 years ago

The following are the Nebraska veterans’ benefits programs for education, taxes, nursing home care, burial, and employment.

Nebraska Veterans’ Benefits

Education Benefits for Nebraska Veterans

In addition to federal programs such as the GI Bill, there are veterans’ benefits programs provided by the State of Nebraska

Nebraska Tuition Waiver

This state program is offered to dependents of eligible veterans. It features a 100% waiver of tuition and approved fees at state-supported colleges such as the University of Nebraska.

This benefit is good for a single degree at the community college level and one at the Bachelor’s degree or equivalent. The surviving children of members who died on active duty, as a result of active duty, or who are permanently and totally disabled as a result of active duty may be eligible.

Nebraska Guard and Reserve Tuition Credit

Nebraska residents enlisted in a Nebraska-based unit of the National Guard or the Reserve may qualify for as much as 75% in tuition credits at University of Nebraska campuses, Nebraska state colleges, and Nebraska community colleges. This is not an open-ended program, only 200 applications are approved per year.

This option is open to Nebraska National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve Service members who are:

A Nebraska resident
Serving in a Nebraska-based unit
Willing to serve three years
Degree-seeking or certificate-seeking

To apply, complete the Nebraska Application for Reservist Tuition Credit. Submit your completed applications via the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

> Find VA-approved colleges and universities in Nebraska with our School Finder.

Tax Benefits for Nebraska Veterans

The State of Nebraska does not tax military retirement pay or military disability retirement pay.

Nebraska Wartime Veteran and Surviving Spouse Homestead Property Tax Exemptions

The Nebraska Homestead Exemption Program is for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses. This tax break is for primary residences only, veterans must have an Honorable discharge and must have served during a qualifying period:

World War II: December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946
Korean War: June 25, 1950, through January 31, 1955
Vietnam War: February 28, 1961, through May 7, 1975
Lebanon: August 25, 1982, through February 26, 1984
Grenada: October 23, 1983, through November 23, 1983
Panama: December 20, 1989, through January 31, 1990
Persian Gulf War: beginning August 2, 1990, end date to be determined
Global War on Terror: beginning September 14, 2001, end date to be determined

A partial exemption may be offered to disabled veterans with no wartime service.

Nursing Home Benefits for Nebraska Veterans

The State of Nebraska operates four veterans homes:

Bellevue
Norfolk
Grand Island
Scottsbluff

Skilled care, intermediate care, and domiciliary care are available along with services including physical therapy, speech therapy, and hospice care. There is also support for memory care needs.

To qualify for admission, veterans must have active duty service and must live in the state “for at least two years during their lifetime” according to the State of Nebaraska. Spouses and Gold Star parents may also qualify.

Burial Benefits For Nebraska Veterans

The State of Nebraska operates a state veteran cemetery in Alliance. Eligibility for burial here is the same as the requirements to be buried or interred in a VA cemetery. To qualify the deceased must meet one of the following criteria:

The deceased is a veteran with any discharge other than Dishonorable;
The deceased is a spouse or dependent child of a service member or veteran, even if the service member or veteran has died, or
In limited cases, the deceased is an adult dependent child of a service member or veteran

Services provided may include pre-need planning, opening/closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Pre-need arrangements are possible, but you may not be allowed to physically reserve a gravesite or niche.

Submission of pre-need paperwork does not obligate you to use the facility during the time of need.

Employment Benefits for Nebraska Veterans

Nebraska State Hiring Preference For Veterans

Veterans, spouses of veterans who are 100% disabled, or spouses of service members who currently serve on active duty or were discharged within the past 180 days may be eligible for Veterans Preference in the employment process. Veterans will have 5% added to their score, disabled veterans will receive a total of 10%.

In order to receive the preference, veterans or spouses must have passing scores on all parts or phases of the examination. This preference is only for jobs in state agencies.

Other Benefits for Nebraska Veterans

Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund (NVA)

The Nebraska Veterans Aid Fund is for veterans, spouses, and dependents in times of emergency when other resources are “not immediately available.” Veterans with an honorable discharge can qualify. NVA funds may be used for food, fuel, shelter, wearing apparel, funeral, medical, and surgical items.

Applicants must demonstrate a hardship that is “generally was no fault of your own, such as a medical episode or catastrophic life event” according to the State of Nebraska. Apply for this program through a County Veteran Service office.

For more information regarding Nebraska veterans’ benefits, please see the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs.

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