The state of Indiana provides several veteran benefits. This page explains many of them.
Indiana Veterans Home
The Indiana Veterans Home in West Lafayette provides nursing and domiciliary care for any honorably discharged Hoosier Veteran who has resided in Indiana for at least 12 months prior to admission. The home is open to both veterans and their spouses. There is a fee.
Indiana Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Up to a $5,000 deduction. Active-duty and reserve members' military pay is exempt from state income taxes beginning in the 2024 tax year.
Beginning in 2022, military retired pay and SBP pay became tax-free.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Deduction
Property tax deductions are available to disabled Hoosier veterans who have an honorable discharge. This amount is deducted from the value of your home for tax purposes, leaving you with a smaller property tax bill.
- A $24,960 dollar deduction is available to wartime veterans who have at least a 10% VA disability.
- Up to a $14,000 deduction is available to veterans who are at least 62 with at least a 10% VA disability OR have a VA total disability. This deduction is only available if the assessed value of the property owned by the veteran is less than $200,000.
- Veterans who served during wartime and are at least 62 years old with a 10% service-connected disability rating OR have a permanent and total service-connected disability rating at any age AND whose home’s assessed value is $200,000 or less, can receive both property tax deductions for a total of $38,960.
Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF)
The MFRF emergency grant may be used by the families for needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation and other essential family support expenses which have become difficult to afford. A grant up to $2,500 may be awarded.
Indiana Employment Benefits
State Employment Veterans Preference
Indiana offers veterans preference in state government jobs for honorably discharged veterans.
Military CDL Skills Waiver Program
The BMV may waive the required drive skills test for veterans with specific training and were truck drivers during their military service when they apply for an Indiana Commercial Driver's License.
Vendor License
Honorably discharged veterans may receive a vending license for free.
Next Level Veterans Program
The state will help you apply for a job with dozens of corporations, and if hired will pay you $5,000 to relocate to Indiana. Check out their website for more information.
Indiana Education Benefits
Free Tuition For Children of Disabled Veterans
Indiana offers free or discounted tuition at state schools to children of disabled veterans, Purple Heart Recipients and their children, and children of former POW/MIA. The veteran must have:
- joined the military from Indiana or been a resident of Indiana for 5 years before they or their children can apply
- served in a wartime period (including August 2, 1990 - present) or
- received a Purple Heart Medal
The child student can be as old as 32 years of age, but must not have reached their 33rd birthday when first applying for the benefit. If the veteran is at least 80% disabled the discount is 100%; if the veteran is rated at less than 80% disability the discount is the rated disability plus 20%.
Indiana National Guard Supplemental Grant
This provides free tuition at state schools for active drilling members of the Indiana National Guard.
National Guard Deployment Protection
National Guard members from Indiana or an adjoining state who attend an Indiana public university are entitled to a tuition refund or credit and guaranteed re-enrollment if they are called to active duty during an academic term.
Indiana Veterans Recreation Benefits
State Parks
A Hoosier Golden Passport provides unlimited admission to all Indiana State owned parks, recreation areas, reservoirs, forests, historic sites, museums, memorials and other Department of Natural Resource (DNR) facilities. The pass is good for one calendar year.
Persons eligible for a Disabled American Veteran license plate may purchase the Hoosier Golden Passport at DNR facilities around the State. If you have Disabled American Veteran plates on the vehicle simply drive to the gate and the attendant will sell you the Hoosier Golden Passport. If you do not have the plate but believe you are eligible you will be given a form to request the plate, which you must send to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs for verification.
Hunting And Fishing Licenses For Disabled Veterans
Any Indiana resident who is service-connected disabled by the VA can buy an Indiana hunting & fishing license for a reduced fee.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses For Active Duty Residents
Active duty Indiana residents who are carrying leave orders and a valid Indiana driver's license or voter registration card are exempt from purchasing a hunting or fishing license.
Non-resident military personnel on active duty and stationed within Indiana qualify for a resident license.
Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery
The Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located next to the Madison State Hospital and Clifty Falls State Park in Madison. Any Hoosier veteran eligible to be buried in a national cemetery will be eligible for burial in the cemetery. Spouses are also eligible.
Burial Allowances
Each county auditor is authorized to pay up to an amount not to exceed $100 for the burial of a veteran or the veteran's spouse, and to pay up to $100 for the setting of a federal headstone. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge, and an application must be filed with the county auditor in the county of residence.
Visit the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
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