Arkansas Veteran Benefits

Military pay received by service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces is exempt from Arkansas income tax.

Military retired pay is exempt from Arkansas income taxes.

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments which are considered disability benefits include:

DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of military Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are not taxed in Arkansas.

The Arkansas Military Family Relief Act provides the following exemptions:

The Arkansas Service Members Civil Relief Act provides the following benefits:

Eligible Disabled Veterans are exempt from all property taxes on their homestead and personal property. Who is eligible for Arkansas Homestead and Personal Property Tax Exemption? The following resident Veterans are eligible for a property tax exemption on their homestead or personal property:

Eligible disabled Veterans do not have to pay taxes on specially adapted vehicles or equipment that are purchased with assistance from the VA.

Arkansas does not tax Social Security benefits.

The Arkansas NGTW waives up to 120 credit hours or until completion of a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first, for Arkansas National Guard Service members who are attending a state-supported public institution of higher education.

Local school districts can award high school diplomas to Veterans of World War II, Korea or Vietnam who left high school before graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Arkansas high school students can receive two units of Career Focus credit for completing Basic Training prior to high school graduation. Students must have enlisted in the U.S. Armed Forces through the Delayed Entry Program or the National Guard Split Training Option. Arkansas Code 6-16-150

The Arkansas Division of Workforce Services (ADWS) administers the Arkansas' UI program that provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

This license authorizes resident disabled Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating of 70% or higher or has a service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher and was awarded the Purple Heart, to hunt and fish in Arkansas.

Nonresident active duty service members assigned to a duty station in Arkansas can purchase annual or trip hunting and fishing licenses for resident prices.

Arkansas State Parks offer half price camping, year-round for resident Veterans who have a service-connected 100% total and permanent disability rating from the VA.

Arkansas state employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are authorized 15 days of paid military leave per year for training and official military duties, including travel time to and from their place of duty.

Arkansas offers Veterans hiring preference when hiring, for promotion and for retention in state employment.

Arkansas private and local government employers may have a voluntary Veterans' preference employment policy. Employers must ensure that their policy is in writing and applied uniformly to employment decisions regarding the hiring, promotion, or retention during a reduction in force.

Arkansas Workforce Centers are committed to helping Veteran s find meaningful employment in Arkansas. Eligible Veterans receive priority of service at all Arkansas Workforce Centers.

Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran's service if they both meet the requirements.

Health and pension plan coverage for service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium.

The VA provides valuable life insurance benefits to Veterans, active and reserve component service members and their families to provide financial security given the extraordinary risks involved in military Service. The VA provides the following life insurance benefit programs:

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve Service members (U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard) and their families who meet the following qualifications:

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs operates two State Veterans Homes that provide care for Veterans and their eligible family members.

Family members can arrange for Military Funeral Honors to be performed at the burial service for deceased Veterans. For more information families should ask their funeral director or contact the Branch specific Military Funeral Honors representative.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains three national cemeteries in Arkansas. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Arkansas resident Veterans who received an honorable discharge from service in the U.S. Armed Forces can request a Veteran designation on their Arkansas driver's license or ID card.

Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who have an Arkansas driver's license are eligible for an extension of the expiration date until 60 days after the service member separates or is honorably discharged.

The Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle offers 19 distinctive military and Veteran service license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of Veterans, retired service member s, service member s and famil y members.

Resident recipients of the Medal of Honor are eligible for the Arkansas Medal of Honor license plate. The first license plate is free . All applicants must request a certification letter from the Arkansa s Department of Veterans Affairs as proof of eligibility before they apply .

Resident recipients of the Purple Heart are eligible for the Arkansas Purple Heart license plate. Applicants must provide certification from the Department of Defense that they received the Purple Heart.

Resident disabled Veterans may be eligible for a free Arkansas Disabled Veteran license plate; Veterans may request an additional license plate for a $4 fee. One license plate may be reissued to the surviving spouse of a disabled Veteran for a $4 registration fee.

The Arkansas Gold Star Family license plate is available free to the immediate family members of a service member who died in the line of duty under honorable circumstances, or who died within one year of receiving a service-connected injury or illness.

The Arkansas Veterans Legal Services Clinic offers legal assistance to Veterans across Arkansas. Students from the William H. Bowen School of Law at the University of Arkansas - Little Rock, supervised by a VA accredited attorney, help Veterans with VA appeals and discharge upgrades.

The VA has numerous resources and locations throughout the state available to assist Veterans and family members. To find a VA location in Arkansas enter Arkansas in the location field and choose the facility type you are searching for from the drop down menu at the "Learn more…" link below.