Indiana offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Indiana Veterans Home
The Indiana Veterans Home located in West Lafayette offers nursing and domiciliary care to Hoosier Veterans who have been honorably discharged and have lived in Indiana for a minimum of 12 months before admission. This facility extends its services to both veterans and their spouses, albeit with a fee requirement.
Indiana Financial Benefits
Income Tax
A deduction of up to $5,000 is available. Starting in the 2024 tax year, military pay for active-duty and reserve members is no longer subject to state income taxes.
Since 2022, military retired pay and SBP pay have been tax-exempt.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Deduction
Disabled Hoosier veterans with an honorable discharge are eligible for property tax deductions, reducing their property tax bills by deducting a certain amount from the assessed value of their homes. Here are the available deductions:
- Wartime veterans with at least a 10% VA disability can benefit from a $24,960 deduction.
- Veterans who are at least 62 years old with a 10% VA disability OR have a VA total disability can qualify for a deduction of up to $14,000, provided that the assessed value of their property is less than $200,000.
- Veterans who served during wartime, are at least 62 years old with a 10% service-connected disability rating OR have a permanent and total service-connected disability rating regardless of age, and own a home with an assessed value of $200,000 or less, can receive both property tax deductions, totaling $38,960.
Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF)
The MFRF emergency grant can be utilized by families to cover various essential expenses, including food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation, and other critical family support needs that have become financially challenging. Grants of up to $2,500 may be provided.
Indiana Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
Indiana provides preferential treatment to honorably discharged veterans in state government job opportunities.
Military CDL Skills Waiver Program
Veterans who have undergone specific training and served as truck drivers during their military tenure may have the drive skills test waived by the BMV when applying for an Indiana Commercial Driver’s License.
Vendor License
Veterans with an honorable discharge are eligible to obtain a vending license at no cost.
Next Level Veterans Program
The state offers assistance in applying for jobs with numerous corporations. If hired, you may receive $5,000 as relocation assistance to move to Indiana.
Indiana Education Benefits
Free Tuition For Children of Disabled Veterans
Indiana provides free or discounted tuition at state schools for specific groups, including children of disabled veterans, Purple Heart recipients and their children, and children of former POW/MIA. Eligibility criteria for veterans include:
- Joining the military from Indiana or being a resident of Indiana for at least 5 years before applying for themselves or their children.
- Serving during a wartime period (since August 2, 1990) or receiving a Purple Heart Medal.
The child student can be up to 32 years old but must apply before their 33rd birthday. Discounts vary based on the veteran’s disability rating:
- If the veteran is at least 80% disabled, the discount is 100%.
- If the veteran’s disability rating is less than 80%, the discount is the rated disability plus 20%.
Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant
This offers tuition-free enrollment at state schools for active drilling members of the Indiana National Guard.
National Guard Deployment Protection
National Guard members hailing from Indiana or a neighboring state who are enrolled in an Indiana public university are eligible for a tuition refund or credit, along with assured re-enrollment, if they are activated for active duty during an ongoing academic term.
Indiana Veterans Recreation Benefits
State Parks
The Hoosier Golden Passport grants unlimited access to all Indiana State-owned parks, recreational areas, reservoirs, forests, historic sites, museums, memorials, and other Department of Natural Resource (DNR) facilities for one calendar year.
Individuals eligible for a Disabled American Veteran license plate can purchase the Hoosier Golden Passport at DNR facilities across the state. If you have Disabled American Veteran plates on your vehicle, simply proceed to the gate where the attendant will facilitate the purchase of the Hoosier Golden Passport. If you do not have the plate but believe you are eligible, you will be provided with a form to request the plate, which must be submitted to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs for verification.
Hunting And Fishing Licenses For Disabled Veterans
Indiana residents who are service-connected disabled by the VA are eligible to purchase an Indiana hunting and fishing license at a discounted rate.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses For Active Duty Residents
Active duty residents of Indiana, carrying leave orders along with a valid Indiana driver’s license or voter registration card, are exempt from the requirement to purchase a hunting or fishing license.
Non-resident military personnel on active duty and stationed within Indiana are eligible for a resident license.
Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery
The Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery is situated adjacent to the Madison State Hospital and Clifty Falls State Park in Madison. Any eligible Hoosier veteran, who meets the criteria for burial in a national cemetery, is also eligible for burial in this cemetery. Additionally, spouses of eligible veterans are also entitled to burial in the cemetery.
Burial Allowances
Every county auditor is empowered to allocate funds, not exceeding $100, for the burial expenses of a veteran or the veteran’s spouse. Additionally, they are authorized to allocate up to $100 for the placement of a federal headstone. Eligible veterans must have received an honorable discharge, and individuals must file an application with the county auditor in their county of residence.
