Minnesota Veteran Benefits

Minnesota does not tax military pay received by resident service members who are serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Minnesota provides tax relief to the family of a service member who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. or United Nations Armed Forces. Taxes are forgiven under the following circumstances:

Minnesota does not tax military retired pay. Retired service members who claim t his subtraction may not claim the nonrefundable credit for past military service.

Minnesota resident Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who have a n adjusted gross income that is less than $37,500 may qualify for a nonrefundable tax credit up to $750. Part-year or nonresidents may qualify for the credit based on the percentage of their income that is taxable in Minnesota.

Wages earned in Minnesota by a nonresident military spouse are not taxable by Minnesota if they meet the following requirements:

Military disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active duty 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 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 Minnesota.

Reserve component service members called to federal active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for a six month extension to file and pay their taxes. Service members serving outside the U.S.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, Higher Education Veterans Programs helps connect Veterans with education benefits and resources to help students succeed in college.

Minnesota Veteran Education Assistance is a one-time $750 grant for tuition for Veterans to help them complete a bachelor's degree. This grant is only available to Veterans who have exhausted their GI Bill benefits.

Spouses of Minnesota National Guard Service members may be authorized to use the remaining balance of a service member's STR. The service member must have eight good years of service in the Minnesota National Gurd before the spouse is eligible.

Family members of a Minnesota National Guard Service member who is killed in the line of duty while serving on state active duty may be eligible for tuition reimbursement up to 100% of the tuition cost at an accredited educational institution.

Surviving spouses and eligible dependents of deceased Veterans are offered free tuition at a Minnesota public postsecondary education institution up to completion of their bachelor's degree.

The Minnesota GI Bill program provides educational financial assistance toVeterans, service members and their dependents. The program provides a maximum benefit of $15,000.

Twin Cities area: 651-296-3644 Greater Minnesota: 877-898-9090 TTY for the hearing impaired: 866-814-1252 Minnesota UI Information Handbook Minnesota UI Application Process

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services offers several fee exemptions to eligible disabled Veterans. Veterans may be eligible for the following exemptions:

Service members who are serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for a vehicle registration tax exemption until 90 days after they are released from active duty service.

The Minnesota Veteran's Relief Grant provides a once-per-lifetime financial grant to help Veterans and their dependents during a financial crisis and to promote stability and prevent homelessness.

The Veterans Campground on Big Marine Lake in St. Croix offers a place for recreation, rest, and recovery for all U.S. Armed Forces service members, Veterans, their families, and sponsored friends.

DNR offers a free two-year subscription to their Minnesota Conservation Volunteer Magazine to service members and Veterans. Call 844-245-7115 and ask for the service member and Veteran offer or visit the Minnesota Conservation Volunteer website .

State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces receive 15 days of paid military leave per calendar year for training and federal, or state active duty.

The Minnesota Veterans Preference Act grants most Veterans a limited preference over non-Veterans in hiring and promotion for most Minnesota public employment positions.

A private, non-public employer may grant preference in hiring and promotion to a Veteran or the spouse of a disabled Veteran who has a service-connected total and permanent disability. This preference may also be offered to the surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran.

The Minnesota Veteran-Owned Small Business Program offers a 12% preference in selling products or services, or bidding on construction projects for the state to certified Veteran-Owned businesses.

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.

Minnesota CareerForce assists Veterans to meet their career development needs. Veterans Employment Representatives at CareerForce locations can help with career planning, job search, find education and training opportunities, and connect Veterans with other resources.

The Minnesota 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:

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

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs helps Veterans and their dependents by providing $600 for annual eye exams and prescription eyewear. Eligibility for this benefit is income and asset based.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) helps Veterans and their dependents by providing dental benefits for routine dental exams, extractions, and denture procedures. Eligibility for this benefit is income and asset based.

The St. Paul Claims Office and the Northwest/Fargo Claims Office represent Veterans and their dependents who live within their region who are seeking federal Veterans benefits regarding compensation, non-service-connected pension, vocational rehabilitation, or educational benefits.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) Field Operations works to identify and serve Veterans who are unable to seek assistance due to disability or geographical location.

The Minnesota Department ofVeterans Affairs (MDVA) has partnered with the Minnesota Department of Human Services and the U.S.

The Minnesota Homeless Veteran Registry connects Veterans experiencing homelessness with housing and services in their community. It also helps programs and partners serving Veterans to coordinate their efforts. Anyone who served in an active or reserve component of the U.S.

The VA National Cemetery Administration maintains one national cemetery in Minnesota. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Active duty service members who had a valid, unexpired Minnesota driver's license or ID when they entered active duty service, are not required to renew their license or ID until after they separate from the U.S. Armed Forces, no matter how long they serve.

Active duty service member s serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can have a motorcycle endorsement added to their Minnesota driver's license while they are serving outside the state.

Gold Star Family license plates are available free of charge for the surviving spouse, parents, children or siblings of a service member who died in while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services offers CDL testing waivers for resident service members and former service members (within one year of separation) based on their military training and experience.

The Minnesota Women Veterans Program assists women Veterans by ensuring they receive equal access to federal and state benefits and services. They respond to the gender specific needs of women Veterans and ensure they are treated with dignity and respect.

LinkVet is a one-stop service center for Minnesota Veterans and their families. A team of support specialists trained through the MDVA help Veterans and their families by providing information and assistance regarding state and federal benefits.

The Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs and the Minnesota National Guard Military Funeral Honors Coordinator are committed to ensuring Veterans receive proper Military Funeral Honors to commemorate their service to the Nation and to assist Veterans Service Organizations in their efforts to prov

A certified copy of a birth certificate, death certificate, marriage license, divorce decree, dissolution of marriage record, or a Veteran's discharge record are provided free of charge for use in claims for benefits.

The Minnesota Service CORE (Case Management, Outreach, Referral, and Education) is a free program designed to bring essential, community-based services to Minnesota Veterans, service members and their families, to help them develop skills for lasting, successful family stability.

In an effort to end Veteran homelessness the Minnesota Homes for Veterans Property Management Incentive Program provides financial incentives for property managers who offer housing for Veterans.

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