Missouri Veteran Benefits

The Missouri Department of Revenue has a Military Liaison to assist service members and their families with questions about Missouri income tax and other issues. For more information, please email [email protected] or call 816-236-9440.

Resident service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces can deduct their military pay from their Missouri taxable income as long as their military pay is included in their federal adjusted gross income.

A nonresident spouse of a nonresident service member, who is stationed in Missouri under military orders, is exempt from income taxes on wages earned in Missouri. The nonresident spouse must pay taxes (if required) to their state of residence.

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 service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

Missouri residents who are former prisoners of war and have a 100% total service-connected disability are eligible for a complete property tax exemption on their homestead.

The Missouri Property Tax Credit gives credit to eligible resident Veterans who have a service-connected 100% disability rating from the VA for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent paid for the year.

Missouri STA provides tuition assistance to eligible Missouri National Guard Service members pursuing an undergraduate degree or below. STA can be used for up to 39 semester hours per state fiscal year (1 July – 30 June) up to the tuition rate charged at the University of Missouri, Columbia.

The Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act requires Missouri public postsecondary educational institutions to only charge combat Veterans $50 per credit hour for undergraduate degrees and 30% of the cost of tuition and fees for graduate students.

Missouri will award honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left school prior to graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of war. Diplomas may be issued for public or private schools and even for schools that no longer exist.

The dependent of a nonresident active duty Service member assigned to a duty station in Missouri is eligible for in-state tuition and will remain eligible as long as they are continuously enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program.

Missouri private employers are authorized to have a Veterans' preference policy for hiring and promotion of a Veteran, spouse of a disabled Veteran who has a service-connected total and permanent disability, or to a surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran.

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.

Missouri allows current or former service members who served in designated military occupational specialties a waiver of knowledge and skills testing requirements when applying for a CDL.

MMFRF provides emergency financial grants to eligible service members and their Families who are suffering from financial hardship. Applicants can receive a grant for up to $3000 once in a 12 month period. Who is eligible for the MMFRF?

Service members and Veterans who have certain specialty license plates can park their vehicle (weighing less than 6,000 lbs.) for free in metered parking spaces and in parking lots or garages on a Missouri public college or university (does not apply during special event parking).

Service members who bought a Missouri hunting, fishing, or trapping permit and could not use it for the full season because they were ordered out of state qualify for a free reinstatement of the permit when they return.

Service members, Veterans and family members of active duty service members are eligible for a $2 per night discount on camping fees year-round at Missouri State Parks. This discount should be asked for at the time of fee payment. Missouri State Park Directory

State employees who are service members serving in the National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves are authorized a leave of absence with pay for 120 work hours per federal fiscal year for required military duty.

All professional licensing boards or commissions in Missouri are required to accept applicable military education, training, or experience toward the qualification requirements for professional licenses or certifications.

Reserve component service members who hold a Missouri professional license or certification and are ordered to active duty are not required to attend continuing education or training during their active duty service.

A service member who has a valid professional license from another state, territory or through a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces may apply for a Missouri professional license.

Missouri State agencies or boards that regulate occupations or professions will issue temporary courtesy licenses to the qualified nonresident spouse of an active duty service member who is reassigned to a duty station in Missouri.

The Missouri health-related professional license or certificate of a reserve component Service member who is called to active duty, will remain active and in good standing until six months after their release from active duty.

State agencies that administer federally funded employment and training programs for Veterans, are required to give priority to qualified Veterans and their spouse.

Missouri offers Veterans preference when hiring for state employment. When an examination is used to establish eligible applicants honorably discharged Veterans, surviving spouses of Veterans, disabled Veterans or the spouse of a disabled Veteran will receive preference in hiring.

Current and former members of the Missouri National Guard who are on the register of eligibles for a state employment position are guaranteed an interview.

MOSERS members who are Veterans or reserve component service members can purchase up to four years of active duty military service credit for military service that occurred prior to becoming a member. This includes active duty for training.

Show-Me Heroes offers full timepermanent OJT opportunities to eligible Veterans and their spouses.

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 Missouri 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:

VA Medical Centers in Missouri have a Homeless Veterans Coordinator who can provide information about the services available for homeless Veterans through the VA. Each VA facility is unique, and services vary among each medical center.

Missouri has seven nursing homes that provide long-term skilled nursing care at minimal cost to Veterans.

Missouri has five State Veterans Cemeteries that provide a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members.

Homeless Veterans are authorized to use charitable, religious, fraternal, or Veterans organization as a mailing address to receive state or federal assistance. Organizations must meet the following requirements:

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

Missouri offers a "VETERAN designation on Missouri driver licenses and ID cards for honorably discharged Veterans.

Service members may authorize another individual to sign the General Affidavit (Form-768) indicating the vehicle is out-of-state and will be inspected within 10 days after returning to Missouri.

Immediate family members of a service member who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for the Missouri Some Gave All (Gold Star) license plate. Applicants must make a $25 donation to the Missouri Department of Veterans of Foreign Wars (MOVFW).

Active duty service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who completed a military Motorcycle Rider Training Course that meets or exceeds the standards of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation can receive a waiver of the written examination and driving skills when requesting a motorcycle endorsement o

The Missouri Military Award Placard is a removable placard that authorizes free parking for eligible Veterans. Veterans may park their motor vehicle (weighing less than 6,000 pounds) in the following locations:

Military Funeral Honors is a ceremony paying final respect and gratitude for service to the Nation.

Missouri offers medallions for service members and Veterans who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during certain wartime periods. Missouri currently offers the following medallions:

The Missouri Attorney General's DEFENDERS Program provides free legal assistance to service members and their dependents for certain legal matters. Additionally, DEFENDERS helps service members, and their families find and retain affordable and qualified legal counsel.

The Missouri Heroes Way Designation authorizes state-maintained highway interchanges, bridges or portions of highway to be designated for Missouri resident service members who were killed in action while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information, please call 573-751-7643.

There are 12 Missouri National Guard FACs located throughout the state that serve as a point of contact for service members and their families needing assistance.

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