The state of Nebraska provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
Nebraska Veterans Homes
Nebraska has four veterans homes located in Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk and Scottsbluff.
Nebraska resident veterans with other-than-dishonorable discharges are eligible for admission. The veteran must be disabled and needing care.
Spouses and unmarried surviving spouses may also be eligible for admission.
There are income requirements.
Nebraska Veterans Financial Benefits
Retired Military Pay
Retired pay is tax free, but must be reported. SBP payments are taxable.
Nebraska Veterans' Aid Fund
This temporary emergency aid fund assists veterans, their spouses, and dependents when an unforeseen emergency occurs disrupting their normal method of living and when other resources are not immediately available.
Aid can only be used for food, fuel, shelter, wearing apparel, funeral, medical, and surgical items. Application must be made through the county or post service officer of any recognized veterans' organization in the nearest county.
Nebraska Homestead Exemption
Totally disabled veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge and their unmarried surviving spouses may qualify for a reduction in the amount of property taxes.
Unremarried surviving spouses of members killed in action may also qualify, however there are income limits, and home value limits.
Nebraska Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
Honorably discharged veterans may be eligible for a 5% addition to their score on employment testing. Disabled veterans get another 5% on top of that. Spouses of active duty members, those separated within 180 days, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans may also qualify.
This preference is for all state, county, and municipal jobs.
Occupational Licenses
Veterans, active duty members, and their families may be eligible to receive occupational licenses based on their military experience. They may also be eligible for expedited and temporary license approvals.
Nebraska Veterans Education Benefits
Tuition Waiver
The University of Nebraska and all state and community colleges may waive tuition for eligible children of veterans.
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.
Reservist Tuition Credit
Enlisted members of Nebraska based reserve units may be eligible for a 50% tuition credit at state and community colleges.
Nebraska Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Nebraska resident veterans who are at least 50% disabled can get free lifetime hunting & fishing licenses.
Any veteran 64 and older can get a hunting & fishing license for $5.
Active duty members stationed in Nebraska for 30 days or more can buy hunting & fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Deployed Military Permit
Nebraska residents who have been deployed out of the state within the last 12 months can get an Annual Small Game Hunt/Fish Permit on a one time basis for $5. This permit includes all state stamps.
Nebraska Veterans Cemetery
The State of Nebraska operates a veterans cemetery in Alliance. Veterans and their dependents are eligible for burial at no charge. Eligibility requirements are the same as federal veterans cemeteries.
Visit the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
Stay on Top of Your Veteran Benefits
Military benefits are always changing. Keep up with everything from pay to health care by subscribing to Military.com, and get access to up-to-date pay charts and more with all latest benefits delivered straight to your inbox.
