Louisiana offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Louisiana Veterans Homes
Louisiana manages five veterans homes situated in Bossier City, Jackson, Jennings, Monroe, and Reserve. To qualify for admission to a Louisiana Veterans Home, veterans must be residents of the state with a discharge status other than dishonorable. Those with income are required to cover their care expenses.
Additionally, spouses and Gold Star parents are eligible for admission if they meet the necessary qualifying criteria.
Louisiana Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active-duty personnel stationed out of state for 120 consecutive days or more can receive up to $30,000 of tax-free pay. Louisiana further exempts pays that are already exempt from federal income taxes, such as combat pay and hazardous duty pay. Additionally, retired pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax-free in the state.
Property Tax Exemptions
In November 2022, voters gave their approval for property tax exemptions aimed at disabled veterans. The extent of these exemptions is determined by the percentage of disability, with the exemption amount increasing for veterans who are 100% disabled or unable to work at all, up to the total assessed value of their home.
Military Family Assistance Fund
This assistance program offers financial aid to Louisiana veterans and their families during times of financial difficulty. Known as the MFA, it can provide up to $10,000 for a single claim per active-duty order within a 12-month period. To apply, individuals must complete an application through the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, providing all necessary supporting documents as per specific criteria. Funding for the MFA comes exclusively from private donations contributed by individuals and corporations.
National Guard Death & Disability Benefit
Louisiana National Guard members who incurred permanent and total disabilities during federal or state active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or the designated beneficiary of those who were killed in action, could be eligible for a $250,000 death benefit or a $100,000 disability benefit from the state. Specific eligibility criteria and limitations do apply.
Louisiana Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment
Louisiana state and city civil service departments grant a 5-point preference to veterans honorably discharged and a 10-point preference to honorably discharged service-connected disabled veterans. Additionally, spouses of veterans rated as unemployable by the Department of Veterans Affairs, un-remarried widows of deceased veterans, and Gold Star parents are eligible for this preference. However, specific eligibility criteria and restrictions do apply.
Transfer of Military Skills to Civilian Employment
Individuals possessing military training and experience may be eligible to obtain a professional license or certification that aligns with their military occupational specialty, provided their military role qualifies them for such licensure.
Louisiana Educational Benefits
Louisiana Title 29 Dependents Educational Assistance
Louisiana provides educational support to surviving spouses of deceased veterans, children of veterans with a disability rating of 90% or higher, and children of veterans rated 100% disabled and unemployable. To qualify, the deceased veteran must have been a Louisiana resident for at least 12 months prior to entering service, while the living veteran must have resided in the state for at least 24 months before the child’s admission into the program.
Surviving spouses have a 10-year window to utilize the benefit, while eligible children must be between the ages of 16 and 25.
National Guard State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP)
Members are entitled to tuition exemption at any state-funded college, university, or vocational/technical school for a period of five years or until completion of a bachelor’s degree, whichever occurs first.
Louisiana Veteran Recreation Benefits
Free Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
Disabled veterans who are classified with a service-connected permanent disability, rated 50% or higher, are eligible to receive hunting and fishing licenses free of charge. These complimentary licenses are open to both residents and non-residents of the state.
‘Veteran’ Designation and Discounts on Driver’s Licenses and IDs
Veterans have the option to add a distinctive “Veteran” designation to their Louisiana driver’s licenses and IDs. Additionally, they may be eligible for discounts or waivers on associated fees.
Active-Duty Military Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Active-duty members and their dependents have the privilege of purchasing hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Free and Discounted Admission to State Parks
Disabled veterans, along with all individuals in the same vehicle, are not required to pay the day-use entrance fee for any Louisiana state park.
Active-duty members and one accompanying family member receive a fifty percent discount on admission to state parks.
Louisiana Veterans Cemeteries
Louisiana hosts four veterans cemeteries situated in Keithville, Leesville, Rayville, and Slidell, respectively. These cemeteries cater to qualifying veterans, their spouses, and dependent children. While veterans incur no charges, spouses and dependent children are subject to a minimal fee for interment.
