Mississippi Veteran Benefits

Military retired pay is exempt from Mississippi income tax. Mississippi Individual Income Tax Instructions

The spouses of nonresident service members who are stationed in Mississippi are exempt from Mississippi taxes on income earned in Mississippi.

Mississippi does not tax Veteran disability pensions. 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.

Mississippi offers property tax exemption to Disabled Veterans, Veterans who are over 90 years old, surviving spouses of eligible Veterans, as well as the surviving spouses of service members killed while serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces .

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 Mississippi. Mississippi Individual Income Tax Instructions

Mississippi does not tax Social Security benefits.

SEAP pays tuition for Mississippi National Guard Service members attending accredited institutions of higher learning in Mississippi for undergraduate studies and career and technical training. SEAP currently provides financial assistance up to the following amounts:

Nonresident service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are stationed in Mississippi and nonresident service members serving in the Mississippi National Guard are considered residents, for tuition purposes at Mississippi state-supported institutions of higher learning.

Nonresident Veterans are eligible for in-state tuition when attending Mississippi state supported institutions of higher learning. Who is eligible for Mississippi Veteran In-state Tuition? Veterans who received a discharge other than dishonorable are eligible for in-state tuition rates.

The spouse and child of a service member serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who is stationed in Mississippi are eligible for in-state tuition when attending Mississippi state supported institutions of higher learning.

Mississippi school districts may award an honorary Mississippi high school diploma to Veterans who left high school prior to graduation to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during specified time periods.

The Mississippi Military Star School program recognizes schools that show a major commitment to students and families connected to the U.S. Armed Forces.

UI provides income to those unemployed due to 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. Employers pay all costs of the UI program.

Mississippi National Guard Service members are exempt from jury duty when it interferes with military duty. Service members are required to get a statement from their superior officer stating their jury duty will interfere with their military duties.

Mississippi National Guard Service members cannot be arrested when traveling to, from, or when at their official place of duty, except for a felony or treason.

Resident Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA are not required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses.

Nonresident active duty service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Mississippi are authorized to purchase Mississippi hunting and fishing licenses at resident prices. Applicants must show a valid military ID, and proof they are assigned to a duty station in Mississippi.

Nonresident service members who are serving on active duty can purchase the Mississippi Nonresident Armed Forces 14-day Hunting/Fishing License for $37.42. Applicants must provide a copy of their military ID when they apply.

Mississippi resident service members serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and assigned outside Mississippi are not required to purchase hunting or fishing licenses when home on leave. Service members must carry their leave form and a military ID when hunting or fishing.

State employees receive 15 working days of paid military leave per year without loss of pay, time, annual leave, or efficiency rating when they are ordered to required military duty.

The Mississippi State Personnel Board grants eligible Veterans four preference points over other applicants for initial or promotional appointments, disabled Veterans are authorized eight preference points.

Under certain circumstances, employees may be awarded credit for military service that interrupts public service, provided the appropriate member and employer contributions are paid.

Service members serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces who leave their job for active state duty, state training duty or any other military duty (authorized under Title 10 or Title 32) and receives a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable are entitled to be re

A professional license issued under Mississippi Code, Title 73, Professions and Vocations to a member of the Mississippi National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves will not expire while the service member is serving on federal active duty and will be extended until 90 days after their return.

Active duty service members and their spouse who are permanently assigned to a duty station in Mississippi are eligible for accelerated processing of professional license applications. State licensing boards can grant either permanent or temporary licenses.

MDES has a webpage for Veterans with information about specialized benefits, housing, and how to get and keep a job. Veterans will receive priority services from MDES. The information provided is broken down into 5 categories:

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.

SSLI, offered through the National Guard Association of Mississippi, provides life insurance exclusively for service members serving in the Mississippi National Guard and their families. Current members of the Mississippi National Guard are automatically protected with $1,000 of SSLI at no charge.

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 Mississippi VHPB provides low interest mortgage loans for Veterans, active and reserve component service members and unremarried surviving spouses. The VHPB offers competitive rates, fewer fees and 100% loan to value.

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

The Mississippi Department of Public Safety (DPS) offers a "VETERAN" designation on the driver's licenses or ID cards of honorably discharged Veterans. Veterans must provide one of the following documents as proof of eligibility when applying:

Gold Star Family license plates are available for Mississippi resident family members of a resident service member who was killed in action or died in a combat zone while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, stationed out of state and their dependents who live with them can renew their Mississippi driver's license that is within six months of expiration by mail. Service members and their dependents must provide the following:

The Mississippi Department of Health, Chancery and Circuit Clerks will provide copies of documents free when filing claims with the VA. Documents provided are:

Mississippi offers a residency exemption and fee waiver for concealed weapon permits for eligible service members, Veterans, and retired service members.

Mississippi Veterans Affairs (MSVA) has partnered with the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) to establish the HUM-V Program to prepare incarcerated Veterans for life after prison.

The Mississippi Veterans Honor Medal was established to recognize and thank Mississippi Veterans for their service in the U.S. Armed Forces.

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