Kentucky offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Kentucky Veteran Housing Benefits
Kentucky is home to four long-term care facilities for veterans:
- Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center in Hazard
- Carl M Brashear Veterans Center in Radcliff
- Thompson-Hood Veterans Center in Wilmore
- Western Kentucky Veterans Center in Hanson
To be admitted, veterans must be residents of Kentucky and have received a discharge other than dishonorable. The costs are determined based on the veteran’s ability to pay.
Kentucky Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Income earned from military service is exempt from taxes.
Additionally, military retirement pay up to $31,110 is tax-free. Veterans may qualify to exclude a greater amount under specific circumstances. Similarly, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) payments are also exempt from taxes.
Property Tax for Disabled Veterans
Completely disabled veterans can receive a deduction of up to $40,500 on the assessed value of their home for property tax purposes.
Kentucky Veterans Preference for State Jobs
Veterans who have received a discharge other than dishonorable are entitled to have 5 points added to their test score for a state job. Disabled veterans can receive an additional 10 points.
Certain spouses and surviving spouses may also qualify for this benefit.
Kentucky Tuition Waiver Program
Kentucky offers a tuition waiver for children, stepchildren, adopted children, spouses, and surviving spouses (who have not remarried) of veterans who passed away on active duty, due to service-connected injuries, or are rated as totally disabled by the VA.
This approved tuition waiver enables students to attend any two-year, four-year, or vocational technical schools operated and funded by the Kentucky Department of Education.
Both the veteran and the applicant must meet Kentucky residency requirements. The deceased veteran must have been a resident of Kentucky at the time of their passing.
Kentucky Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting, Trapping, or Fishing Licenses
Kentucky veterans with a service-connected disability of 50% or more are eligible for a discounted license.
Residents of Kentucky who are on leave can fish for free without needing a license.
Kentucky State Parks
Permanently and totally disabled Kentucky resident veterans are exempt from paying overnight accommodation fees at any state park.
Kentucky Veterans Cemeteries
Kentucky Veterans Cemeteries are situated in Hopkinsville, Hyden, Fort Knox, Williamstown, and Greenup County.
Eligibility for burial extends to any Kentucky resident veteran or any veteran who was stationed in Kentucky, and there is no fee for this service.
