Service members may obtain VA benefits in Nebraska through the state’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs (NDVA) or under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). NE veterans benefits include application assistance, Operation Recognition, college grants and burial benefits.

However, other local veterans administration benefits include Veterans Homes, financial aid, and homestead exemptions. Federal assistance includes health care, disability compensation, educational benefits and pension programs. To learn more about veterans assistance and how to apply for benefits, review the information below.

Disability Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Federal VA disability pay in Nebraska is available to veterans with service-connected disabilities, or the dependents who care for them. These VA disability benefits include general tax-free monetary payments, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) and Special Monthly Compensation (SMC).

To apply for disabled veterans payments in NE, service members must complete VA Form 21-526EZ, or 21-534EZ to obtain payments under DIC. To make SMC VA disability claims, veterans must complete VA Form 21-2680 (Examination for Housebound Status or Permanent Need for Regular Aid and Attendance).

Additionally, service members may obtain VA life insurance, such as that available for disabled veterans and their survivors. Veterans life insurance includes Veterans’ Mortgage Life, Servicemembers’ Group Life and Service-Disabled Veterans’ Insurance.

Additional insurance policies include Veterans’ Group Life, Family Servicemembers’ Group Life and Servicemembers’ Group Life Traumatic Injury Protection.

When obtaining disabled veteran life insurance, service members may complete an application on their own, or they may visit an NDVA Veteran Service Office for assistance.

Health Insurance Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Eligible veterans may apply for VA health care in Nebraska through the Veterans Affairs insurance plan. Through the plan, VA medical benefits can cover preventative health care, inpatient hospital services and emergency treatment. As such, veterans who meet VA health insurance eligibility receive benefits such as the following:

  • Health exams and education
  • Immunizations
  • Surgeries, medical treatments and specialized care
  • Emergency aid in VA or non-VA care hospitals
  • Mental health treatments
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Access to State Veteran Homes

To apply for veterans health insurance, veterans must complete an Application for Health Care (Form 10-10EZ) either online, in person or by mailing the form to the following address:

Health Eligibility Center
2957 Clairmont Road, Suite 200
Atlanta, GA 30329-1647

Note: Alternately, veterans may apply for health care by telephone at 1-877-222-8387.

Pension Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Service members may apply for a VA pension in Nebraska if they meet income, age and/or disability qualifications. For instance, a veterans pension is available to low-income wartime servicemembers, while survivor allowances are provided to the low-income spouses or children of deceased military members.

Additional VA pension benefits include Aid and Attendance (A&A) and Housebound allowances.

To apply for these veterans pension benefits, servicemembers must complete an Application for Pension (VA Form 21P-527EZ) or an Application for DIC, Death Pension, and/or Accrued Benefits (21P-534EZ).

However, applicants must enroll in the A&A or Housebound veterans pension program by submitting medical evidence to the following address:

Department of Veterans Affairs
Claims Intake Center
Attention: St. Paul Pension Center
P.O. Box 5365
Janesville, WI  53547-5365

An additional VA pension program includes the state’s Veteran Aid Fund (NVA). The NVA is available to veterans and their families in need of emergency financial assistance. To apply for assistance, servicemembers must visit their county’s Veteran Service Office to complete the application in person.

Housing Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

State and federal VA housing benefits are available to servicemembers and their families to take advantage of. As such, local veterans housing assistance is available through any of the four Veterans Homes in the state, including those in Norfolk, Bellevue, Scottsbluff and Grand Island.

To apply for VA housing assistance or to learn more about admission, patients must contact their county’s Veteran Service Office, or they may contact the facility directly using the telephone numbers below:

  • Norfolk: 402-370-3330
  • Bellevue: 402-595-2180
  • Scottsbluff: 308-632-0300
  • Grand Island: 308-385-6252 (Ext. 441)

Additional veteran housing programs in Nebraska include the Homestead Exemption Program, providing property tax relief to eligible servicemembers and their spouses. To apply for the exemption, veterans must complete a Nebraska Homestead Exemption Application or Certification of Status.

Furthermore, federal housing assistance for veterans includes the following programs and services:

  • A VA home loan, including a Purchase Loan, Interest Rate Reduction Refinance Loan (IRRRL) or a Native American Direct Loan (NADL)
  • Adapted Housing Grants
  • Mortgage servicing assistance
  • Counseling to prevent VA Foreclosures during financial emergencies

Note: To learn about VA home loan rates or eligibility requirements, contact the Loan Guaranty Office at 1-877-827-3702.

Education Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Several VA education benefits are available to veterans and their dependents, including tuition assistance under the federal GI bill, Veterans’ Educational Assistance Program (VEAP) and the Montgomery GI Bill.

To apply for these post 911 GI bill benefits, veterans must complete an Application for Education Benefits (Form 22-1990) and submit it by mail to the following address:

VA Regional Office
P. O. Box 32432
St. Louis, MO 63132-0832

Furthermore, scholarships for veterans in NE are also available, including the Reservist Tuition Credit and the Waiver of Tuition Program.

To apply for veteran scholarships under the Reservist Tuition Credit, students must complete an Application for Tuition Credit (NDVA RTC) and a United States Citizenship Attestation Form.

To apply for veterans education benefits under the tuition waiver program, eligible servicemembers or surviving dependents must complete an Application for Waiver of Tuition (NDVA Form 3).

Additional VA school benefits include the Operation Recognition program, a service that awards veterans with Honorary High School Diplomas. To apply, veterans must complete an Operation Recognition Application.

Employment Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Veterans seeking Nebraska VA jobs assistance can take advantage of the many services available to them, including employment assistance under the state Department of Labor (DOL).

To assist applicants in finding jobs for veterans, these useful services help service members to develop resume and interviewing skills while receiving training and education.

Note: If servicemembers cannot find suitable veteran jobs or if they are at risk of becoming homeless, they may contact 1-877-424-3838.

Funeral Benefits for Veterans in Nebraska

Nebraska VA death benefits are available to eligible veterans and their dependents through the state Veterans Cemetery in Alliance.

As such, VA burial benefits include interments, headstones, memorial shadow boxes, re-interment, perpetual care and access to the facility’s memorial garden.

To pre-determine eligibility for these veterans death benefits, servicemembers must complete an Eligibility Determination Form (NVCA EDR) and submit it with all required documentation.

Note: To learn more about burial benefits, contact the Cemetery Administrator at 308-763-2958.

Last updated on Friday, March 6 2020.