Montana Veteran Benefits

The following military pay can be excluded from Montana Income tax:

Montana resident retired service members who are working in the state may be eligible for an exemption of part of their military retired pay.

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.

Montana residents receiving military survivor benefits can subtract 50% of the survivor annuities.

A nonresident service member's nonresident spouse is exempt from paying Montana taxes on income earned while stationed in Montana.

MDV reduces the property tax rate on the homes of disabled Veterans or their unremarried surviving spouse.

Property owned by a Veteran's organization that is used primarily for educational, fraternal, benevolent, or purely public charitable purposes rather than for gain or profit, and any personal property used in the building, is exempt from taxes.

The Montana Honorably Discharged Veterans Waiver offers a tuition waiver to eligible resident Veterans.

The surviving spouse or child of any Montana National Guard Service member who was killed due to an injury, disease, or other disability they received in the line of duty while serving on state active duty are eligible for a tuition waiver at campuses of the Montana University System .

UI provides temporary financial assistance for workers that are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement for lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income. Employers pay all costs of the UI program.

Active duty service members may apply for a military driver license expiration exemption. This exemption authorizes a service member's driver license to remain valid until 90 days after receiving an honorable discharge.

A disabled Veteran or a disabled service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces who has a permanent, substantial combat-connected disability that causes a significant impairment of their functional ability may purchase certain tags or licenses for half price.

The Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks offers a reduction in licensing requirements for resident Purple Heart recipients or nonresident Veterans who are a member of the Legion of Valor .

Veterans who are patients at a VA Hospital can fish without a license in Montana. The Veteran must carry documentation signed by the VA hospital staff indicating they are currently a patient instead of a license.

Montana residents can donate hunting licenses to be reissued to a disabled Veteran or disabled service member. Donated licenses may only be used during hunting expeditions arranged by nonprofit organizations that use hunting as part of their rehabilitation services.

Montana resident Veterans receive a 50% discount on camping fees (does not apply to electrical fees) at Montana State Parks. Proof of eligibility to receive the discount includes a DD214, VA ID card or a Montana driver license with a Veteran designation.

Montana offers Veterans' Employment Preference when hiring for public employment. Preference is granted by adding points to scored hiring processes or by guaranteeing an interview.

Montana private sector employers may adopt an employment policy that gives preference in hiring to a Veteran. A private sector employer includes for-profit and not-for-profit employers.

Montana State employees who are service members serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for 120 hours of paid military leave per year and can rollover unused military leave for a total of 240 hours.

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 are 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 Montana 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.

Employment Specialists at Montana Job Service Centers assist service members who are leaving the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans and their spouses, find meaningful careers by offering employment, training and placement services.

Montana motor vehicle registration fees and, in some cases, the Veterans cemetery fee, may be waived for eligible Veterans and surviving spouses who purchase military or Veteran license plates.

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 VA National Cemetery Administration maintains two national cemeteries in Montana. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to have a Veteran designation on their Montana driver License or ID card.

Montana offers 24 distinctive license plate designs to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible service members, Veterans, retired service members, and certain family members. Specific eligibility and documentation requirements apply.

Honorably discharged Veterans who received the Purple Heart are eligible for the Montana Purple Heart license plate. Applicants will be required to provide a copy of the DD214, medal certificate, or official orders as proof of eligibility.

The Montana Disabled Veteran license plate is offered to eligible disabled Veterans. These license plates authorize disabled parking privileges. This license plate cannot be transferred to a surviving spouse.

Veterans who served on active duty (other than for training) in the U.S. Army and received an honorable discharge are eligible for the Montana Army Veteran license plate. A surviving spouse of a deceased Veteran who was eligible for this license plate are also eligible to apply.

The Montana Gold Star Family license plate is offered to eligible family members of a service member who was killed in armed conflict while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

A Montana resident who entered active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces from Montana, including National Guard or U.S.

Active duty service members stationed outside of Montana who complete a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course may apply to have a motorcycle endorsement added to their Montana driver license without completing a road skills test at a Montana exam station.

Montana offers waivers for CDL testing for service members and former service members based on their military training and experience. This waiver allows a qualified service member to apply for a CDL without taking skills or knowledge tests.

The Montana Honor and Remember Medallion may be awarded to the family members of a service member who was killed or listed as missing in action during a period of armed conflict.

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