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Nebraska benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Nebraska source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs (NDVA) can help you apply for them at no cost.
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs and County/Tribal Veterans Service Officers
In effect
NDVA runs the State Service Office, veterans homes, cemeteries and the Nebraska Veterans Aid fund. NDVA strongly encourages filing VA claims through a County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) or the NDVA State Service Office.
Who qualifies
Veterans, spouses and dependents.
Amount or details
Free claims help. Directory of county and tribal veterans service offices online.
How to apply
Call (402) 471-2458 or find your county office at veterans.nebraska.gov/cvso.
Homestead exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans (Category 4V) and 100% temporary (Category 7)
In effect
Veterans with a 100% permanent service-connected disability, or a 100% Individual Unemployability rating, can get a Nebraska homestead property tax exemption with no household income limit. Category 7 covers 100% temporary service-connected ratings.
Who qualifies
Own and occupy the homestead January 1 through August 15; VA certification of 100% permanent S-C disability or 100% IU effective on or before January 1 of the application year; honorable or general discharge.
Amount or details
Income limits do not apply to Categories 4V, 4S, 5 or 7. The exempt amount is reduced 10% for each $2,500 the home's value exceeds the county maximum value.
How to apply
File Form 458 (and VA certification) with the county assessor after February 1 and on or before June 30. Category 4V need not refile each year unless status changes.
“Category 4V does not need to file a 2026 Form 458 unless there is a change in status or it is the first time a category 4V applicant applies for homestead exemption.”
Homestead exemption for surviving spouses (4S), VA-assisted homes (5) and non-service-connected totally disabled veterans (2)
In effect
Un-remarried surviving spouses of veterans who died of service-connected causes or were 100% permanently disabled, veterans whose home was substantially paid for by VA, and veterans totally disabled by non-service-connected causes can also qualify. Category 2 is income-tested on a sliding scale.
Who qualifies
4S: un-remarried surviving spouse (or remarried after age 57) of a qualifying veteran/servicemember. 5: paraplegic or multiple-amputee veteran whose home was substantially contributed to by VA. 2: veteran totally disabled by non-service-connected illness/accident.
Amount or details
Categories 4S and 5 have no income test; Category 2 uses the 2026 household income table (sliding scale).
How to apply
File Form 458 with the county assessor between February 2 and June 30; Category 2 also files Schedule I income statement.
Military retirement pay 100% exempt from Nebraska income tax
In effect
For tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2022, all military retirees may exclude 100% of military retirement benefits from Nebraska taxable income. No election or form is needed.
Who qualifies
Military retirees with military retirement included in federal AGI.
Amount or details
100% exclusion.
How to apply
Claimed automatically on the Nebraska return; no separate election.
“all military retirees may exclude 100% of military retirement benefits from Nebraska taxable income to the extent included in federal adjusted gross income (AGI). No election or form submission is needed to claim the exclusion.”
Disabled veteran motor vehicle tax and fee exemption (one vehicle)
In effect
Starting January 1, 2026, disabled and blind veterans can be exempt from the Motor Vehicle Tax and Motor Vehicle Fee on one personal vehicle. Plate fees, sales tax and wheel tax still apply.
Who qualifies
Veteran separated under honorable conditions with a service-connected disability (any rating) or receiving VA compensation/pension, or a blind veteran.
Amount or details
Exempts Motor Vehicle Tax and Motor Vehicle Fee only, for one vehicle.
How to apply
Apply to the county treasurer from 15 days before to 30 days after the registration date; renew annually.
“Starting January 1, 2026, all disabled and/or blind veterans in Nebraska can receive an exemption for the Motor Vehicle Tax and Motor Vehicle Fee for ONE vehicle owned and used for their personal transportation.”
“shall apply for the exemption to the county treasurer not more than fifteen days before and not later than thirty days after the registration date for the motor vehicle”
Disabled Veteran, Purple Heart, Ex-POW, Military Honor and Gold Star license plates
In effect
Nebraska DMV offers Disabled Veteran (alphanumeric, no plate fee; message plate $40), Ex-POW, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Purple Heart, Military Honor, Campaign Medal and Gold Star Family plates. You must first enroll in the NDVA Military & Veterans' Registry. Disabled Veteran plates alone do not allow handicapped parking; a separate DV Handicap plate requires medical certification.
Who qualifies
Varies by plate; Disabled Veteran plate requires a VA service-connected rating or VA compensation/pension.
Amount or details
DV alphanumeric plate: no fee; DV message plate $40; regular registration fees and taxes still apply.
How to apply
Register at the NDVA Military & Veterans' Registry, then order online through Nebraska DMV or mail the application.
“The Nebraska DMV offers Disabled American Veteran, Ex-Prisoner of War, Pearl Harbor Survivor, Purple Heart, Military Honor, Campaign Medal, and Gold Star Family plates.”
Veteran designation on Nebraska driver's license or state ID
In effect
Veterans can have a veteran designation printed on their Nebraska license or ID after registering in the NDVA Military & Veterans' Registry. It is free at renewal; a replacement fee applies if you request it between renewals.
Who qualifies
Veterans enrolled in the NDVA Military & Veterans' Registry.
Amount or details
No additional fee at renewal; standard replacement fee otherwise.
How to apply
Register at nebraska.gov/va_registry, wait one business day, then add at renewal or request a replacement online or at a driver licensing office.
“you can either request the designation be added at the time of your renewal, for no additional fee OR apply for a replacement document online or at any driver licensing office”
Waiver of Tuition for dependents of deceased or permanently disabled veterans
In effect
Dependents (child, stepchild, spouse) of veterans who died in service or of service-connected causes, are permanently and totally disabled from service, or are MIA/POW can have 100% of tuition waived at University of Nebraska campuses, state colleges and community colleges.
All tuition, plus fees remaining after federal grants and state aid. One community college credential and one bachelor's degree; not for graduate degrees.
How to apply
Apply through NDVA (veterans.nebraska.gov/waiver).
“Waiver of Tuition is not available for masters, doctoral, or professional degrees.”
Reservist Tuition Credit (75%)
In effect
Members of Nebraska-based Selected Reserve units can get a 75% tuition credit (50% for graduate or professional) at public Nebraska colleges, for up to 200 applicants a year.
Who qualifies
Nebraska resident in a Nebraska-based Active Selected Reserve unit.
Veterans preference in state and local government hiring
In effect
Preference eligibles who pass a scored exam get 5% added to their score, and disabled veterans get an additional 5%. Where no exam is used, the veteran is preferred among equally qualified candidates. Certain spouses also qualify.
Who qualifies
Veterans with honorable/general discharge; spouses of 100% permanently disabled veterans or of veterans killed in the line of duty; spouses of servicemembers.
Amount or details
+5% (veteran), +10% total (disabled veteran).
How to apply
Claim preference on the application and provide DD-214.
“shall have five percent added to their passing score if a claim for such preference is made on the application. An additional five percent shall be added to the passing score or numerical scoring of any disabled veteran.”
Nebraska Veterans' Gateway and NDOL veteran employment services
In effect
NDVA's Veterans' Gateway links to a military-to-civilian job converter, job search and NEworks. Nebraska Department of Labor provides priority of service and veteran employment help.
NVA provides temporary emergency financial aid to veterans, spouses and dependents when an unforeseen emergency disrupts their normal way of living and other resources are not available.
Who qualifies
Nebraska veterans, spouses, dependents in emergency need.
Amount or details
Temporary emergency aid; amount based on need.
How to apply
Apply through your County Veterans Service Officer.
“Nebraska Veterans Aid provides temporary emergency funds to veterans, their spouses, and dependents when an emergency occurs disrupting their normal method of living and when other resources are not immediately available.”
Vets Get Pets adoption assistance
In effect
NDVA covers up to $350 of an eligible veteran's pet adoption fees, funded by sales of the Vets Get Pets license plate.
Who qualifies
Eligible Nebraska veterans; subject to available funds.
Disabled veteran lifetime hunt/fish/fur permit and lifetime park entry permit (free)
In effect
Resident veterans rated 50% or more service-connected, or 100% non-service-connected disabled receiving a VA pension, get a free lifetime small game hunt/fish/fur permit including state stamps, plus one free lifetime park entry permit.
Who qualifies
Nebraska resident; 50%+ service-connected, or 100% NSC with VA pension.
Amount or details
No fee; includes all state stamps. Does not cover big game or limited-draw permits.
How to apply
Mail the Game and Parks veteran permit application to VA (3800 Village Drive, Lincoln) for certification.
“are eligible for one (1) perpetual Disabled Veteran's Lifetime Annual Park Entry Permit at no fee”
$5 veteran small game hunt/fish/fur permit (age 64+) and $5 deployed military permit
In effect
Resident veterans age 64 and older can buy an annual small game hunt/fish/fur permit for $5 that includes all state stamps. Deployed military can get a reduced-cost permit on return to Nebraska.
Who qualifies
Nebraska resident veteran age 64+ (DD214 or veteran indicator on license).
Amount or details
$5 per year, renewed annually.
How to apply
In person at a Game and Parks office with DD214 or veteran-designated license; renew online.
“The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers special permits to veterans age 64 and older, deployed military, and disabled veterans at reduced or no cost.”
Veterans and active duty waterfowl hunting season
In effect
Nebraska holds a special waterfowl season for veterans and active duty military, including Guard and Reserve on active duty.
Who qualifies
Veterans as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101 and active-duty members.
Amount or details
Special season dates set annually by Game and Parks.
Nebraska State Veterans' Homes (Bellevue, Kearney, Norfolk, Scottsbluff)
In effect
Four state homes offer assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care: Eastern Nebraska Veterans' Home (Bellevue), Central Nebraska Veterans' Home (Kearney), Norfolk Veterans' Home and Western Nebraska Veterans' Home (Scottsbluff).
Who qualifies
Veterans with honorable/general discharge who lived in Nebraska at least two years; spouses, surviving spouses, Gold Star spouses and parents.
Amount or details
Assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, therapy, hospice.
How to apply
Contact the home directly; see veterans.nebraska.gov/homes.
The 109th Legislature, 2nd Session, adjourned April 17, 2026. NDVA publishes a legislative tracker of veteran-related bills; the next session starts January 2027.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Nebraska source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs (NDVA) about anything here.
Nebraska Dept. of Revenue military-retirement page not located (404 on guessed URL); income tax item cites NDVA Taxes page.
Disabled-veteran parking: Nebraska uses the general handicapped permit or DV Handicap plate (requires medical certification); no separate free DV parking privilege found.
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.