Indiana Veteran Benefits

Indiana resident service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are exempt from Indiana taxes on their military pay.

Military retired pay is exempt from Indiana Income tax.

Nonresident military spouses do not have to pay Indiana income tax for wages earned in Indiana. Who is eligible for the Indiana Nonresident Military Spouse Earned Income Deduction? To be eligible nonresident military spouses must meet the following requirements:

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 U.S. Armed Forces Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death was the result of a service-connected injury or disease.

Veterans or their spouse who are eligible for any of the deductions above, but the assessed value of their property is less than the deduction can apply the overage toward the excise tax on up to two vehicles.

Indiana does not tax Social Security benefits.

Indiana offers high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school prior to graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during the following war time periods:

Indiana offers several educational benefits to resident service members, Veterans and eligible family members.

The Indiana National Guard Scholarship Extension Program is available to former service members who were unable to complete their degree due to an active duty deployment. Former service members must have used the NGSG in the past, served on active duty overseas after Sept.

The Indiana SAA approves OJT and apprenticeship training programs for Veterans and eligible service members using their VA education benefits. These programs allow participants to learn a trade or skill through training on the job rather than attending formal classroom instruction.

Nonresident service members and their dependents may be eligible for resident tuition rates at Indiana public colleges and universities .

Nonresident Veterans and former Indiana National Guard Service members who enroll in a Indiana public college or university , within 12 months after receiving an honorable discharge are eligible for resident tuition rates.

UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement of lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income. Benefits are not based on financial need.

Indiana offers driver's license or ID card indicators for active duty service members, Veterans and surviving spouses.

Indiana driver's licenses, learners permits or ID cards of resident service members serving outside Indiana and their dependents remains valid until 90 days after discharge, or end of deployment regardless of the expiration date.

Indiana resident service members stationed out of state may choose to keep their current Indiana license plates, register their vehicle where they are stationed, or renew their Indiana license plate by mail, or online at the Indiana myBMV website .

Indiana recognizes motorcycle safety courses given in another state or by the U.S. Armed Forces to qualify for an Indiana driver's license motorcycle endorsement. Service members must provide the following documentation:

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) will waive the CDL skills test for eligible Veterans and service members. This waiver is available to applicants who have military commercial driving training and experience driving a commercial military vehicle (CMV) similar to the commercial vehicle class

The Indiana Gold Star Family license plate is available to the spouse, parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings, and children of a service member who died while serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces.

U.S. Armed Forces service members returning from an assignment overseas are allowed to import a vehicle duty-free to the U.S.

Indiana National Guard Service members who are injured, become ill, disabled or die in the line of duty are eligible for medical coverage and compensation. Disabled service members will continue to receive pay and allowances they were entitled to while on duty, plus any expenses for medical care.

Indiana resident service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces (on military orders) are exempt from jury duty.

MFRF provides a monetary grant to assist Indiana Veterans and their dependents who are experiencing financial hardship. This emergency grant may be used for needs such as housing, utilities, food, medical services and basic transportation (car payments, insurance, and basic emergency car repair) whi

Indiana resident service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are on leave in Indiana can hunt and fish without a license. Service members must carry their leave papers and a valid Indiana driver's license or voter registration card when hunting or fishing.

Indiana resident disabled Veterans may purchase an annual license to hunt and fish for $2.75, or a 10-year license for $27.50. The Disabled Veteran license is good for small game hunting and fishing only. Waterfowl, Trout, Salmon, deer, and turkey stamps must be purchased at the regular price.

Indiana National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve service members are eligible for 15 days military leave per calendar year for required military training. This leave may be granted, with or without pay, at the discretion of the employer.

Indiana employers must grant 10 days unpaid leave for a family member of a service member who received deployment orders. The leave can be taken in the 30 day period before the deployment, while the service member is on leave during the deployment, or within 30 days at the end of their deployment.

A private employer may have a policy granting preference to honorably discharged Veterans regarding hiring, promotion, or retention (during a reduction in force). The policy must be in writing and applied uniformly to all employees.

Indiana offers Veterans' preference in Indiana civil service employment for honorably discharged Veterans. Preference is given by adding 10% to the scores of Veterans during the hiring process.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development provides employment assistance to Indiana Veterans. Assistance is provided through the Disabled Veterans' Outreach program (DVOP), and the Local Veterans' Employment Representative (LVER) Program.

10 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 Indiana Hilton Honors Military Program helps make the career transition from service in the U.S. Armed Forces to civilian employment easier for current and former service members. The Hilton Honors Military Program provides hotel accommodation for required employment related travel.

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:

The Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery located adjacentto the Madison State Hospital and Clift Falls State Park in Madison, provides a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

A special certificate, signed by the Governor of Indiana,is available to surviving family members upon the death of an honorably discharged Veteran to commemorate their service. This certificate is available for Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, including the National Guard and the U.S.

Honorably discharged Veterans and their spouse or surviving spouse are authorized a burial allowance of $1,000, paid to their next of kin to help offset burial expenses. For more information and to apply, applicants should contact their County Auditor.

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

Veterans who received an honorable discharge can receive peddlers, hawkers or vendors licenses free of charge. To request a license Veterans should contact their County Auditor. Indiana Code 25-25-2-1 Indiana County Auditor Directory

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) and the Indiana State Archives have copies of DD214s on file for many Indiana Veterans who entered the U.S. Armed Forces from Indiana. Copies will be provided upon request when applying for benefits.

IDVA Women Veterans Program provides links to resources for women Veterans, their friends and families.

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