Missouri offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Missouri Veterans Homes
Missouri boasts seven veterans homes situated in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg. To qualify for admission, veterans must have resided in Missouri for at least 180 days, necessitate skilled nursing care, and possess a discharge status other than dishonorable.
Missouri Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active duty income is not subject to taxation.
Income from reserve duty is also exempt from income tax. In 2022, up to 60% of reserve pay is exempt from taxation, and this exemption will rise to 100% by 2024. Additionally, military retirement benefits and Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) benefits are tax-free.
Property Tax Credits
The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim provides credit to certain veterans with 100% VA disability for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent paid during the year.
For renters, the maximum credit is $750, while for homeowners, it is $1,100. The actual credit amount depends on the real estate taxes or rent paid and the total household income, including both taxable and nontaxable income.
Missouri Veteran Education Benefits
Missouri Returning Heroes Act
Undergraduate tuition at any state college in Missouri is capped at $50 per credit hour. To qualify, individuals must be Missouri residents with an honorable discharge and have served in a combat zone after September 11, 2001. Additionally, they must meet GPA standards to be eligible for this benefit.
War Veteran’s Survivor Grant Program
This program is accessible to the children and spouses of veterans whose deaths or injuries occurred due to combat action or were caused by an illness contracted during such action. It also extends to those veterans who became 80% disabled due to injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since September 11, 2001.
The veteran must have been a Missouri resident either upon first entering military service or at the time of death or injury. Children must be under 25 years old to qualify.
Missouri Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans Preference for State Employment
Missouri veterans receive a five-point preference when applying for any state employment position, with a ten-point preference granted to service-connected disabled veterans. Additionally, spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify for these preferences.
Commercial Driver Exam (CDL) Exemption
Active duty or retired military personnel are eligible to receive a waiver for the skills testing portion of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To qualify, they must have a minimum of 60 days of active duty driving experience in a commercial motor vehicle within 2 years of applying for the waiver.
However, applicants must still fulfill the required knowledge examinations for the specific class of commercial driver license they are applying for.
Missouri Veteran Recreation Benefits
Free Fishing & Hunting License for Disabled Veterans
Active duty or retired military personnel are eligible to receive a waiver for the skills testing portion of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). To qualify, they must have a minimum of 60 days of active duty driving experience in a commercial motor vehicle within 2 years of applying for the waiver.
However, applicants must still fulfill the required knowledge examinations for the specific class of commercial driver license they are applying for.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Active duty members, along with their families, who are stationed in Missouri are eligible to obtain hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Veterans Cemeteries
Missouri hosts five state veterans cemeteries, located in Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield, Ft. Leonard Wood, and Jacksonville.
All services provided at these cemeteries are offered at no cost. Eligibility criteria mirror those of federal cemeteries, with no residency requirement. Spouses and dependent children may also qualify for burial services.
