Some Nebraska Veterans Could Lose Benefits

[Blue Diadem]

By SCOTT BAUER
Associated Press Writer

January 19, 2005, 10:33 AM EST

LINCOLN, Neb. -- After serving in Operation Desert Storm, Michael Chavez left the Army in 1991 with a general discharge in the hopes of sorting out some debt problems at home.

Several times since his return to Shelton in southern Nebraska, the concrete worker has received state veterans aid to help pay rent and utilities. But in October, when he went seeking help with rent, he was denied because he did not have an honorable discharge.

Chavez, 39, is among an unknown number of veterans in Nebraska with general military discharges who are caught in the middle of a change in state policy that has locked them out of benefits and programs they had access to in the past. Nebraska's approach differs from federal law and is unique among the 50 states.

"To deny benefits to a Nebraska veteran who has received a general discharge is a disservice to him because his service was honorable," said Leslie Beavers, president of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs.

More:
http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-veterans-benefits,0,4933011.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines