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State / Territory Benefits - Nebraska

Summary: Nebraska offers special benefits for its military service members and Veterans including Veterans Emergency Assistance, Nebraska Homestead Exemption, Nebraska State Tuition Waiver, Dependents of POW/MIA, or Deceased Veterans' Special Vehicle License Plates, as well as Hunting and Fishing licenses. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and Veteran disability status.

State Benefit Highlights and Eligibility

Retired Military Pay: Follows federal tax rules.

Military Disability Retired Pay: Disability Portion - Length of Service Pay; Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless combat incurred. Retired Pay - Based solely on disability: Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless all pay based on disability and disability resulted from armed conflict, extra-hazardous service, simulated war, or an instrumentality of war.

VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes.

Nebraska Homestead Exemption: A homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of the homestead from taxation. The maximum exemption is the taxable value of the homestead up to $40,000 or 100 percent of the county's average assessed value of single-family residential property, whichever is greater. The homestead maximum value is $95,000 or 200 percent of the county's average assessed value of single-family residential property, whichever is greater. The exempt value will be reduced by ten percent for each $2,500 the assessed value exceeds the maximum value. If the assessed valuation exceeds the maximum value by $20,000 or more the homestead is not eligible for exemption.
Eligibility: Wartime Veteran and serviceperson shall mean a person who had been on active duty in the armed forces of the U.S., or a citizen of the U.S. at the time of service with military forces of a government allied with the U.S., during the following dates: April 21, 1898 to July 4 1902; April 6, 1917 to November 11, 1918; December 7, 1941 to December 31, 1946; June 25, 1950 to January 31, 1955; August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975; August 25, 1982 to February 26, 1984; December 20, 1989 to January 31, 1990; and Persian Gulf War beginning August 2, 1990; Global War on Terror beginning September 14, 2001. Wartime Veteran also includes a person who served in the Republic of Vietnam between February 28, 1961 and August 5, 1964. A Veteran must have received an honorable discharge or general discharge under honorable conditions. There are three categories of Veterans' exemptions: 1) A wartime Veteran drawing compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs because of a 100% disability that was service-connected 2) A wartime Veteran totally disabled by a nonservice-connected illness of accident and 3) a Veteran whose home is substantially contributed to by the Dept of Veterans Affairs. This homestead is 100% exempt regardless of homestead value and income level. For further information, refer to

http://www.revenue.ne.gov/info/96-299.pdf

Military SBP/S SBP/RCSBP/RCFPP: Generally subject to state taxes for those states with income tax. Check with state department of revenue office.

Education Benefits:

Waiver of Tuition: The University of Nebraska, the state colleges, and community colleges on behalf of any eligible child, spouse, widow, or widower that meets the following requirements may waive tuition.
Eligibility: He or she is a resident of this state and meets the appropriate institutions requirements for paying in-state tuition. He or she has a parent, stepparent, or spouse who was a member of the armed forces of the United States and who: 1) Died of a service connected disability 2) Died subsequent to discharge as a result of injury or illness sustained while in service 3) Is permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service 4) Is classified as missing in action or as a prisoner of war during armed hostilities after August 4, 1964. The waiver shall be valid for one degree, diploma, or certificate from a community college and one baccalaureate degree. Applications are submitted to the Department of Veterans' Affairs by contacting the County Veterans Service Officer nearest the applicant's place of residence.

Nebraska National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program: Tuition assistance at all accredited Nebraska State supported schools and selects private schools. Program amount for private schools is calculated at the rate of tuition to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a maximum benefit of $4500/year. Eligibility: National Guard enlisted service member. Service member has to be working towards the first BA degree only. No more than 1,200 members will be granted tuition assistance during any State fiscal year (1 July - 30 June).

Member of Active Selected Reserves: Any Nebraska resident who is an enlisted member of a Nebraska-based unit of the Active Selected Reserve of the armed forces of the United States who meets the following requirements and who enrolls, on or after July 10, 1976, in any state-supported university or college, including any community college, shall be entitled to a credit of fifty percent of the tuition charges of such university or college. Such entitlement shall be continuous so long as the member maintains satisfactory service in the Active Selected Reserve and pursues his course of study in a manner that satisfies the normal requirements of the university or college. Eligibility: 1) be classified as enlisted personnel who have a minimum of two years remaining on their enlistment at the commencement of each term in their respective courses of study 2) have agreed to serve a minimum of three years in the reserve 3) not have completed his tenth year of total service in the armed forces of the United States, and 4) pursue a course of study leading to a degree or the equivalent level of study in a community college, and his entitlement to such credit shall cease upon the attainment of such degree or completion of such course of study. Such entitlement shall not be granted to more than two hundred individuals in any calendar year.

Employment Benefits:

Employment Assistance: State Political Subdivision employees receive 15-work days of military leave per year.
Eligibility: State employee on orders for Annual Training or active duty.

Compensation for State Active Duty Pay and Allowances: Pay and Allowances, travel, lodging and other expenses paid by state.
Eligibility: National Guard service member on state active duty.

Veteran’s preference; passing score: Veteran’s preference shall be granted to all applicants who are otherwise eligible for employment and who request such preference on their applications. In order to receive preference, the Veteran must submit a copy of his or her discharge papers and, for disability credit, proof from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs that the disability is at least ten percent. Ten points shall be added to the passing score of disabled Veteran candidates and five points for all other Veterans.

Special Vehicle License Plates:

Purple Heart License Plate: Issued to any resident of Nebraska who is a recipient of the Purple Heart Award. Application must be accompanied by verification that the applicant has been awarded the Purple Heart by the Federal Government. Acceptable verification is discharge papers listing the applicant as a recipient of the award or written notification of the award from Veteran's Affairs. Only one motor vehicle owned by the applicant may be licensed with a Purple Heart plate at any one time. Vehicles registered with Purple Heart plates cannot be used for the transportation of persons or property for hire. Commercial and farm plated vehicles must be registered for 10 tons or less and must display a tonnage sticker. Purple Heart plates are also available for motorcycles. Fee is $5.00 in addition to all other applicable and registration fees and taxes. Plates are renewed annually.

Ex-Prisoner of War (Ex-POW) License Plate: Issued to any resident of Nebraska who has been honorably discharged or who is currently serving in the United States Armed Forces and was captured and incarcerated by an enemy of the United States during a period of conflict with that enemy. A letter from the Veterans Administration verifying the applicant was a prisoner of war must accompany the application. Only one motor vehicle owned by the applicant may be licensed with EX-POW plates at any one time. Vehicles registered with Ex-Prisoner of War plates cannot be used for the transportation of persons or property for hire. Commercial and farm plated vehicles must be registered for 10 tons or less and must display a tonnage sticker. Ex-POW plates are also available for motorcycles. Fee is $5.00 in addition to all other applicable registration fees and taxes. Plates are renewed annually.

Pearl Harbor Survivor: Issued to any resident of Nebraska who was honorably discharged and was a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941 and on station, not to exceed a distance of three miles from shore, during the hours of 7:55 am to 9:45 am, Hawaiian time at Pearl Harbor. Initial application must be approved by the Nebraska Chapter of the Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and annually thereafter as verification of continued active membership in the Association. Only one motor vehicle owned by the applicant may be licensed with a Pearl Harbor Survivor plate at any one time. Vehicles registered with Pearl Harbor Survivor plates cannot be used for the transportation of persons or property for hire. Commercial and farm plated vehicles must be registered for 10 tons or less and must display a tonnage sticker. Fee is $5.00 in addition to all other applicable registration fees and taxes. Plates are renewed annually.

Disabled Veteran License Plate (DAV): Issued to any resident of Nebraska who is an honorably discharged Veteran of the United States Armed Forces and classified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs with a disability that is 100% service-connected. Written verification from the Department of Veterans Affairs of applicant's disabled status must accompany application. These plates do not allow for parking in a space specifically designated for handicapped parking. Only one motor vehicle owned by the applicant may be licensed with DAV plates at any one time. Vehicles registered with Disabled American Veteran plates cannot be used for the transportation of persons or property for hire. DAV plates are also available for motorcycles. Fee is $5.00 in addition to all other applicable registration fees and taxes. Plates are renewed annually.

Gold Star Family License Plates: Are available to a surviving spouse, whether remarried or not, or an ancestor, including a stepparent, a descendant, including a stepchild, a foster parent or a person in loco parentis, or a sibling of a person who died while in good standing on active duty in the military service of the United States. A fee of fifteen dollars shall accompany each application for initial issuance of consecutively numbered Gold Star Family plates. A fee of fifteen dollars shall accompany an application for renewal of such plates. A fee of forty dollars shall accompany each application for initial issuance of personalized message Gold Star Family plates. A fee of forty dollars shall accompany an application for renewal of such plates.

Health and Insurance Benefits:

Medical Benefits: Worker's Compensation
Eligibility: National Guard service member on State active duty.

Worker's Compensation: Same as State employees.
Eligibility: National Guard service member on State active duty.

Group Insurance: National Guard Association offers term life insurance of$5,000.00 -$75,000.00, call 1-800-633- 8333 for information. National Guard Association vision plan, reduced rates on glasses and exams $18.00 per year.
Eligibility: National Guard service member.

Injury/Death Benefits: Worker's compensation.
Eligibility: Disease, Injury, or Death occurs while serving on State Active Duty.

Hunting and Fishing Licenses:

Disabled Veteran Hunting and Fishing License: Nebraska residents who are Veterans that were discharged or separated with a characterization of honorable or general (under honorable conditions) may receive a Fee exempt permit. These permits are Fee exempt and good for the life of the Veteran.
Eligibility: A 50 % disabled Veteran as a result of injuries incurred in the line of duty while in the military or receives a pension from the Veterans Administration as a result of a total permanent disability not incurred in the line of duty in the military service. To obtain one of these fee exempt permits, your disability application must be signed and verified by their County Veterans Service Officer or a Nebraska State Veterans Service Officer.

Veteran Hunting and Fishing License: Veterans may qualify for hunting and fishing license permits for a fee of $5.00.
Eligibility: Nebraska residents who are Veterans and are 64 years of age or older and that has served on Active duty other than Basic training. To obtain a Veteran's permit for Hunting/Fishing you must complete an application form and return it to your nearest Nebraska Game and Parks Commission office along with a copy of your DD 214 that verifies dates of service and the $5.00 fee. The Veteran's permit must be renewed each year for a fee of $5.00.

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/hunting/guides/permfees.asp#vets

Miscellaneous Benefits:

Nebraska Veterans' Service Office: The function of the State Service Office is to interview military Veterans, their spouses, and dependents to establish tentative eligibility for Veterans' benefits provided by federal and state laws; to advise applicants with claims before the US Department of Veterans' Affairs (VA); and to assist them in the accurate completion of application forms and transmit them to the proper federal or state agency for processing. State Service Officers are recognized representatives for the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of America, and American Ex-POWs, Military Order of the Purple Heart, the Retired Enlisted Association, and the National Association of County Service Officers and are authorized to accept Power of Attorneys from claimants on behalf of the organizations. State Service Officers are located at the VA Regional Office, Lincoln.

Discharge Certificates: Honorable discharges are recorded free at the courthouse of the county seat.
Eligibility: A Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Discharges: The Department has approximately 700,000 discharges of Nebraska Veterans on microfilm. If a Veteran entered from and returned to Nebraska upon separation from military service, a copy of the discharge may be on file in the Department. Documents previously filed with the Selective Service System and National Guard were referred to the Department of Veterans' Affairs. Since October 1, 1979, if requested by the service-member, Military Separation Centers have sent a copy of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from active duty (DD214) to the Department.

State Veteran Homes: The four state Veterans' Homes are part of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services and are located in Bellevue, Norfolk, Grand Island, and Scottsbluff. The focus of the Veterans' Homes is on wellness, and allowing people to live their lives to the fullest through different levels of health care: domiciliary care for people who are ambulatory and need minimal assistance; and both intermediate and skilled nursing care. The Homes provide specialized services like physical therapy, plus a wide range of recreational and religious services. The Homes also enjoy a unique relationship with various Veterans' organizations, whose members donate time, money, and companionship to people living there. Veterans' Homes are located in Grand Island, Norfolk, Bellevue, and Scottsbluff.
Eligibility: Provide domiciliary and nursing home care and subsistence to wartime Veterans provided that the Veteran meets at least a two-year residency requirement and has become disabled due to service, old age or other wise to an extent that it would prevent such applicant from earning a livelihood. Entitlement for admission extends to the spouse of any person admitted to one of the homes who has attained the age of fifty years and married to the member at least two years, also, to the surviving spouses and parents of eligible servicemen and women who died while on active duty of who have since died of a service-connected disability as determined by the VA and who have obtained the age of fifty and meet residency requirements of two years in the state.

Burial Expenses: The expenses of burial under section 80-104 shall be paid by the county in which such Veteran maintained his or her legal residence at time of death. The county board of such county is authorized and directed to audit the account and pay the expenses in similar manner as other accounts against such county are audited and paid.

Nebraska Veterans Aid (NVA) Fund: A 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.
Eligibility: Veterans who served on active duty in the armed forces of the United States, other than active duty for training, who was discharged or otherwise separated with a characterization of honorable or general (under honorable conditions) from such service; or died while in service or as a direct result of such service; or who, being a citizen of the United States, at the time of his or her entry into such service, served with the military forces of any government allied with the United States in a period of conflict pursuant to Section 80-401.01 and who received an honorable discharge, or its equivalent, from such service. Application must be made through the County Service Officer or post Service Officer of any recognized Veterans' organization in the county nearest the applicant's place of residence and submitted to the Department of Veterans' Affairs.

Grave Registration: The Department of Veterans' Affairs shall preserve a permanent registry of the graves of all persons who shall have served in the Armed Forces of the U.S. in time of war and whose mortal remains rest in Nebraska. Information concerning the registry can be obtained from the Department of Veterans' Affairs or a County Service Officer.

State Cemetery: The legislation necessary to create the State Veteran's Cemetery System was passed during the 2006 legislative session. The NDVA is now focusing on building, operating and maintaining cemeteries here in Nebraska. It is the intent of the State of Nebraska to provide a final resting place for our Heroes. The sacrifice of our Veterans will be memorialized in a place of dignity, tranquility, and honor. The first of these cemeteries is currently being built in Box Butte County near Alliance. Groundbreaking ceremonies took place on 10 October 2008. The cemetery had its dedication ceremony August 13, 2010 and will begin interments late fall 2010.

Military Installations and Veterans Affairs Facilities in Nebraska

Active Duty:

Army
No active duty Army installations are located in Nebraska.

Air Force
Offutt Air Force Base (AFB): http://www.offutt.af.mil/
Offutt AFB offers DEERS enrollment and Military I.D. Card processing for all service members and their dependents. Additional services include Temporary Lodging Facilities, Veterinarian Services, Base Housing, Child Development Center, Youth Center, Family Child Care Office, Family Support Center, Bowling Center, Commissary, and Base Exchange.

National Guard: Nebraska Military Department: http://www.neguard.com/index.html

Nebraska Army National Guard: http://www.neguard.com/RECRUITING/index.html

Nebraska Air National Guard: http://www.neguard.com/RECRUITING/index.html

United States Army Reserve (USAR):

Regional Readiness Command (RRC) Headquarters, 89^th RRC: http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/89rsc.htm

Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities in Nebraska:

VA Medical Centers
Grand Island: Grand Island Division VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System
Omaha: Omaha Division - VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System

Lincoln: Lincoln Division - VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System

Community Based Outpatient Clinics
Alliance: Alliance VA Clinic
Holdrege: Holdrege CBOC
Norfolk: Norfolk CBOC
North Platte: North Platte VA Clinic
Rushville: Rushville VA Clinic
Scottsbluff: Scottsbluff CBOC
Sidney: Sidney Outpatient Clinic (Nebraska) Bellevue: Bellevue CBOC