Nebraska Veteran Benefits

For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, service members serving in the Nebraska National Guard can exclude 100% of their National Guard pay from Nebraska income taxes (must be included in their federal adjusted gross income).

Military retired pay that is included in a retired service members federal gross income is exempt from Nebraska income tax.

DIC is a tax free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of U.S. Armed Forces service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are not taxed in Nebraska.

Nebraska follows federal guidelines for tax filing extensions and tax exempt military pay received by a service member while serving in a designated combat zone, contingency operation, or in a qualified hazardous duty area.

Income earned by a nonresident military spouse is exempt from Nebraska income tax if they meet the following conditions:

This exemption is available to Veterans who are receiving compensation from the VA for a permanent 100% service-connected disability rating or have been declared individually unemployable. The homestead is 100% exempt regardless of homestead value and income level.

Nebraska offers the Nebraska Disabled Veteran Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption for one motor vehicle owned and used for personal transportation by a disabled or blind Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Social Security benefits that are included in federal adjusted gross income are excluded from Nebraska State Income taxes .

Nebraska will waive 100% of tuition and tuition-related fees for the eligible dependents of certain Veterans at a University of Nebraska campus, Nebraska State College, or Nebraska Community College.

Nebraska residents serving in a Nebraska-based unit of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for a 75% tuition credit (50% for graduate or professional degrees) at University of Nebraska campuses, Nebraska State Colleges, and Nebraska Community Colleges.

Nebraska Operation Recognition will award honorary high School diplomas to Veterans who left a Nebraska high school before graduating to serve in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam.

National Guard service members ordered to state active duty will receive compensation at the same rate as a service member of equal rank in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as reimbursement for travel expenses.

The UI Benefits Division of the Nebraska Department of Labor is responsible for UI benefits and compensation that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

NVA is a temporary emergency aid fund to assist Veterans, their spouses, and dependents when an unforeseen emergency happens that disrupts their lives and when other resources are not immediately available. Aid can only be used for the following expenses:

Nonresident service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Nebraska for 30 days or more may purchase hunting, fishing and fur harvesting permits at the resident rate.

Veterans over age 64 are eligible for a Nebraska Veteran's Annual Small Game Hunting, Fishing and Fur Harvest Permit for $5. This permit includes all state stamps.

Nebraska residents who are or have been deployed out of state while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces within the last 12 months are eligible for a combination hunting, fishing and fur harvest permit on a one-time basis for $5. This permit includes all state stamps.

Honorably discharged resident Veterans are eligible to receive a one-day hunt permit, habitat stamp, and Nebraska Migratory Waterfowl Stamp to hunt for free on Veteran's Day. Veterans will also need to purchase a Federal Duck Stamp and complete Harvest Information Program registration .

Active duty service members including National Guard service members with current active-duty status (deployment, orders that identify active duty status, etc.) who are stationed at a military installation in Nebraska can purchase a reduced fee Active Duty Military Vehicle Park Entry Permit for $5.

Veterans, service members, and spouses are offered Veterans hiring preference when applying for initial or return employment with Nebraska state or local government.

The Nebraska Voluntary Veterans Preference Act allows private sector employers to have a Veteran hiring preference policy and to have their job openings listed on the Nebraska Department of Labor's Voluntary Veterans Preference Registry. Nebraska Revised Statutes 48-238

The Nebraska Department of Labor provides employment services to eligible Veterans and their spouses that offers a full range of public employment and training services.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

The NVCA, located in Alliance, Nebraska offers a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains three national cemeteries in Nebraska. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Veterans who received an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge can request a Veterans' designation to be displayed on Nebraska driver's licenses or ID cards. Nebraska Revised Statutes 60-4,189

The driver's license of active duty service members and their dependents stationed outside Nebraska remains valid until 60 days following discharge or they return to Nebraska, whichever is later.

Service members and their families who choose not to apply for the Military Exemption (in section above) and can renew their license at the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles online renewal webpage or by mail (follow the instructions at the Out-Of-State Renewal tab at the Learn more… link below).

The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) offers six distinctive license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members their and families. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements will apply.

Nebraska Purple Heart license plates are available for recipients of the Purple Heart. Who is eligible for the Nebraska Purple Heart License Plate? Currently serving service members and Veterans who received an Honorable or General (Under Honorable Conditions) Discharge and were awarded the Purple H

DAV license plates are available for disabled Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Who is eligible for the Nebraska DAV License Plate? The Nebraska DAV license plates are available to U.S.

Nebraska Military Honor license plates are available for Veterans and service members currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Military Honor license plate applicants have the option to choose a picture of their branch of service, service component, or an image of one of the following medals:

Nebraska Gold Star Family license plates are available for family members of a service members who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Nebraska offers a CDL skills test waiver to service members and former service members based on their military training and experience.

The Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs (NDVA) maintains thousands of discharge documents for Nebraska Veterans and will provide them on request. If a Veteran entered service from and returned to Nebraska when they separated from U.S. Armed Forces, a copy of their discharge may be on file.

The Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs maintains a permanent registry of the graves of all Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and were buried in Nebraska. Information concerning the registry can be requested from Nebraska County Veteran Service Offices.

The Nebraska Vets Get Pets program will provide up to $350 to eligible Veterans to pay for pet adoption fees. The Vets Get Pets program will only pay adoption fees once for an eligible Veteran. Animals must be adopted from a shelter or rescue licensed by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

The NDVA World War II Veteran Recognition Program recognizes and honors Nebraska's living World War II Veterans by awarding a commemorative medal.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Nebraska enter Nebraska in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.