Irons advises disabled vets of new benefit

A new benefit will become available for disabled Nebraska veterans after the first of the year, and Hamilton County Veterans Service Officer Mike Irons wants to make sure veterans are not only aware of it, but take the necessary steps to make sure they can receive it. 
Under LB 650, which was passed by the Unicameral earlier this year, all disabled and/or blind veterans in Nebraska can receive an exemption from the Motor Vehicle Tax and Motor Vehicle Fee for one vehicle owned and used for their personal transportation. 
Depending on the vehicle, the exemption could mean a savings of several hundred dollars to the veteran. 
Irons said the benefit is available to any veteran who has a disability rating ranging from 0 to 100, however, he said in order to receive the benefit, veterans need to make sure they are registered with the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs, which is something they can do by coming into his office located on the ground floor of the courthouse. 
“You have to be in the state’s system and have a disability rating,” Irons said. “You can contact me and if you have a disability rating of any amount I can check a box on your file so that you qualify for the exemption when you go to the DMV.” 
Irons said applicants must provide supporting documentation of their disability, and again he urged veterans who are unsure whether they qualify, to contact him to make sure their state file is current so they can apply for the benefit. Irons especially urged veterans who have recently moved into the county to stop in to make sure their file is up to date. 
“Once you’re in the system, go to the DMV and request the benefit through them and it should be automatic,” he said. 
Aside from stopping in to visit with Irons at the courthouse, veterans can also contact him by phone at 531-210-9559 or by email at vso@hamiltoncountyne.gov. Information is also available through the state veterans’ affairs website at veterans.nebraska.gov/vehicletax.