Nebraska veterans and National Guard members will soon have a new resource to help navigate veterans benefits under an agreement signed by Gov. Jim Pillen and state officials on Friday.
Pillen and Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly joined Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs Director John Hilgert and Nebraska National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Craig Strong in Lincoln to sign a memorandum of understanding establishing a state veterans service officer at the Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters.
The officer will help service members leaving the Nebraska National Guard, along with other veterans and their families, identify and apply for eligible state and federal benefits. “This is exactly the type of commonsense initiative we want to be undertaking in our state agencies,” Pillen says.
“Not only are we breaking down silos between state agencies, but we’re doing a better job serving our military service members as they leave the service and start their civilian lives in Nebraska.” The VA-accredited service officer will review military records, determine benefit eligibility, help complete applications and submit claims.
The officer also will assist veterans with appeals and provide guidance on claims filed with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. “Now, along with these important services, these same Veterans will be able to speak with a trained Veterans Service Officer and ask questions about their eligibility for Veterans services and benefits or receive assistance in what can often be a very complicated or confusing application process,” Strong says.
Nebraska received more than $1.6 billion in VA compensation benefits for veterans and their family members in fiscal year 2026. State veterans service officers, county veterans service officers and veterans service organizations help thousands of Nebraska veterans and family members each year at no cost.
“Our VA-accredited service officers are experts on veteran benefits, claims, and services, and we look forward to bringing that expertise to Joint Force Headquarters to ensure our National Guard members are equipped for success as they leave the service,” Hilgert says.