How Much Burial Allowance Can a Disabled Veteran's Family Get in Nebraska?

Nebraska provides a state burial allowance to help cover funeral costs for eligible veterans, including those with a VA-rated disability. The Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs administers a burial benefit of up to $300 for qualifying veterans who were Nebraska residents at the time of death. On top of that, families may also qualify for a federal VA burial allowance, which can range from $948 to $2,000 depending on whether the veteran's death was connected to their service. Disabled veterans who died from a service-connected condition typically qualify for the higher federal amount.

Combined, a disabled veteran's surviving family in Nebraska could receive burial assistance from both the state and federal programs, though these amounts rarely cover the full cost of a funeral. Understanding how both programs work and how they interact can help families avoid paying more than they need to.

What Does "Nebraska Veteran Burial Allowance" Actually Mean?

A burial allowance is a one-time payment made to help offset funeral and burial expenses for a deceased veteran. In Nebraska, this comes from two main sources:

• State allowance: Administered by the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs, this benefit helps eligible veterans' families with burial costs. The veteran must have been a Nebraska resident and meet service requirements.
• Federal VA allowance: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs pays a separate burial allowance. For deaths connected to military service, the VA pays up to $2,000. For non-service-connected deaths, the allowance is $948 (as of 2024) plus possible plot-interment allowances.

When a veteran had a VA-rated disability at the time of death, the key question is whether that disability was the actual cause of death. If the VA determines the death was service-connected, the higher federal allowance applies. If the disability was unrelated to the cause of death, the standard non-service-connected rate applies.

Who Qualifies for Both the Nebraska State and Federal VA Burial Allowance?

To receive the Nebraska state burial allowance, the veteran generally must have:

• Been a resident of Nebraska at the time of death
• Received an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge
• Had qualifying active military service

For the federal VA burial allowance, the veteran must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. For service-connected burial benefits, the VA must determine that the veteran's death resulted from a service-connected disability or condition.

Example: A veteran living in Omaha who was rated 100% disabled by the VA for injuries sustained during deployment passes away from complications related to those injuries. Their family could apply for the Nebraska state burial allowance and the federal service-connected burial allowance, potentially receiving over $2,000 combined to help with funeral costs.

Does the Type of Disability Rating Affect the Burial Allowance?

The disability rating itself does not directly change the dollar amount of the burial allowance. What matters is the cause of death. Here's how it breaks down:

• Service-connected death: If the veteran's death was caused or contributed to by a service-connected condition, the federal VA pays the higher burial allowance (up to $2,000). This applies regardless of whether the rating was 30% or 100%.
• Non-service-connected death: If the veteran had a disability rating but died from an unrelated cause, the standard federal burial allowance of $948 applies.
• VA pension recipients: Veterans who were receiving VA pension at the time of death may qualify for a plot allowance and burial allowance even if the death was not service-connected.

Families sometimes assume that any disability rating guarantees the higher allowance, but the VA reviews each case individually based on medical evidence and the veteran's VA file.

How Do You Apply for the Nebraska Veteran Burial Allowance?

Applying for the state and federal burial allowances are separate processes:

Nebraska State Burial Allowance

1. Contact the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs as soon as possible after the veteran's death.
2. Provide a copy of the veteran's DD-214 (discharge papers) and death certificate.
3. Submit proof of Nebraska residency.
4. The NDVA reviews the application and processes the payment to the eligible claimant.

Federal VA Burial Allowance

1. File VA Form 21P-530EZ (Application for Burial Benefits) with the VA.
2. Attach the veteran's DD-214, death certificate, and funeral bill or receipts.
3. If claiming service-connected burial, include medical evidence linking the cause of death to the service-connected condition.
4. Submit within two years of the veteran's burial (the VA may grant exceptions in some cases).

Funeral homes in Nebraska often help families file the VA burial claim as part of their services. It's worth asking your funeral director if they assist with this paperwork.

What Other Burial Benefits Can Disabled Veterans' Families Access in Nebraska?

Beyond the cash burial allowance, Nebraska families may also be eligible for:

• Free burial in a Nebraska state veterans cemetery. The Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance and Fort McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell offer free gravesites, opening and closing of the grave, headstones, and perpetual care for eligible veterans. Spouses and dependents may also qualify for burial at these sites.
• Free government headstone or marker. The VA provides a headstone, marker, or medallion at no cost for any eligible veteran buried in any cemetery.
• Burial flag. A free U.S. burial flag is provided for the casket or urn of any veteran discharged under honorable conditions.
• VA burial in a national cemetery. Families can choose burial in a VA national cemetery, which includes the gravesite, headstone, and perpetual care at no cost.

Some families facing significant financial hardship may also want to review options for help when a family can't afford funeral costs, as additional programs may apply.

What Are Common Mistakes Families Make With Nebraska Veteran Burial Claims?

A few avoidable errors can delay or reduce benefits:

• Missing the filing deadline. The federal VA burial claim should be filed within two years. Families dealing with grief sometimes wait too long and miss this window.
• Not keeping funeral receipts. The VA requires itemized receipts. If you've already paid, make sure the funeral home provides detailed documentation.
• Assuming a disability rating guarantees the higher allowance. As explained above, it's the cause of death not the rating percentage that determines the federal service-connected burial amount.
• Forgetting to apply for both state and federal benefits. These are separate programs. Applying for one does not automatically trigger the other.
• Not checking cemetery eligibility early. If you want burial in a state or national cemetery, availability can vary. Families in neighboring states dealing with similar decisions around cemetery plots have found it helpful to check state veterans cemetery plot availability before making final arrangements.

Can the Burial Allowance Be Paid to the Funeral Home Instead of the Family?

Yes. In many cases, the federal VA burial allowance is paid directly to the person who paid for the funeral whether that's a family member, the funeral home, or another party. If the funeral home handled the burial and the family has not yet paid, the VA may issue payment to the funeral home on behalf of the family. This is something to discuss with both the funeral director and the VA during the claims process.

How Does Nebraska's Burial Allowance Compare to Other States?

Nebraska's $300 state burial allowance is modest compared to some other states. For reference, families exploring benefits in other parts of the country may find different eligibility rules and amounts. For example, New Hampshire's state veteran burial assistance has its own eligibility criteria and benefit levels, and South Dakota offers funeral assistance for tribal veterans with unique provisions. If your family has ties to multiple states, it's worth checking residency rules to determine which state's benefits apply.

Families relocating or planning ahead should also be aware that Ohio's cemetery plot benefits for families differ from what Nebraska offers. Knowing your options in advance can save time and reduce stress during a difficult period.

Practical Checklist: Steps to Claim Nebraska Veteran Burial Allowance for Disabled Veterans

• ☐ Gather the veteran's DD-214 discharge papers
• ☐ Obtain certified copies of the death certificate
• ☐ Get an itemized funeral bill from the funeral home
• ☐ Contact the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs for the state burial allowance
• ☐ File VA Form 21P-530EZ for the federal burial allowance within two years
• ☐ If claiming service-connected burial, collect medical records linking the death to the service-connected disability
• ☐ Ask the funeral director if they assist with VA burial paperwork
• ☐ Check cemetery availability at Nebraska veterans cemeteries if burial in a veterans cemetery is desired
• ☐ Apply for a free government headstone and burial flag through the VA
• ☐ Keep copies of every document and receipt you submit

Tip: Don't wait to call the Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs at (402) 471-2444 or visit ndva.nebraska.gov. A veterans service officer can walk you through both the state and federal claims at no cost and help you avoid the paperwork errors that commonly delay benefits.