Red Willow & Furnas County
Veteran Service Officer

The county Veterans Service Office assists veterans and their dependents in obtaining information about any V.A. benefits that they may be interested in and also assist them in working up the applications and obtaining the needed supporting documents. The county Veterans Service Office also assist veterans in making application to have their eligibility determine for treatment in a VA Medical Center.

Services of this Office

The Red Willow and Furnas Counties Veterans’ Service Office assists with, but is not limited to, the following County, State, and Federal Benefits:

County Veterans’ Benefits

The Furnas County Veterans Service Office offers the following benefits for those veterans who are eligible:

• County Veterans Aid
• A Bronze Grave Flag Holder
• Registration of DD214s
• Homestead Exemption
• Grave Registration
• Benefits Counseling and Advocacy
• Assistance with the application for State and Federal VA benefits.

County Veterans’ Aid Fund

The CVA fund is a temporary emergency fund to assist veterans, their spouses, and dependents when there is an unforeseen emergency and there are no other resources available. Eligible veterans are persons who served on active duty, received an Honorable Discharge, and served during one of the defined “wartime eras” and who have resided in Nebraska for at least one year, and Furnas County for at least six months. Applicants may request assistance with food, shelter, clothing, funeral, medical, dental, and surgical items. The applicant must apply through the County Service Office in Furnas County. This is an “aid” program so the veteran must demonstrate an “inability” to meet the obligation to pay these bills, via an application.

Flag Holders

State of Nebraska statute requires the County Veterans Service Office to provide a flag holder reflecting the veterans wartime era. The Furnas County, Veterans Service Office also annually inventories these flag holders to insure they remains on the correct grave and we replace damaged markers.

Registration of DD214

Furnas County records a “certified copy” of the original copy of a veterans military separation document (DD-214). Once recorded the veteran may call us from any where in the world and we will provide them with a “certified copy” when needed.

Homestead Exemption

Annually, the Furnas County Veterans Service Office obtains a letter from the VA Regional Office that establishes who are eligible veterans (or widows) for a tax exemption on their personal residence. These letters are provided to the County Assessor.

Grave Registration

Upon notification of the burial of a veteran in Furnas County we complete a “grave registration card”. We maintain a copy here in Furnas County, and the original is sent to the State of Nebraska, Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Lincoln. We also order a “Presidential Memorial Certificate” for the family of all deceased Furnas County veterans.

State Veterans’ Benefits

• Nebraska Veterans’ Aid Fund (NVA). For unforeseen emergency financial need.
• Waiver of Tuition. For state college/university cost to qualified dependents.
• Discharges. Replacement of lost military service records (DD-214)
• Grave Registration. Report of grave location for veterans buried in the State.
• Veterans’ Home System. Complete application for residency in a Veterans Home.
• Filing for Hunt & Fish Permits for qualified veterans (age 64 or 50% or greater VA disability.
• Nebraska Veterans’ Driver’s License & License Plate Registry.

Federal Veterans’ Benefits

• Service Connected Disability Compensation
• Appeals of VA Claim Decisions
• Non-Service Connected Pensions.  Veterans or widowers.
• Education and Vocational Rehabilitation, including GI Bill and disability retraining.
• Life Insurance. VGLI/NSLI or Disability.
• Burial Benefits. Grave marker application and burial allowance assistance.
• VA Home Loan Programs. Residential and improvement for the handicapped.
• Enrollment in VA Health Care. VA Medical Center inpatient and outpatient services.
• Long Term Nursing Home Care. For veterans rated at 70% or higher.
• Military Records. Discharge upgrades and location of service and medical records.
• Military Medals Replacement
• Military Retirement Benefits (20 plus years)
• Dependent & Survivors Benefits
• Reserve & National Guard Benefits