North Dakota Veteran Benefits

Military pay received by resident active and reserve component service members that is federally taxable is exempt from North Dakota income taxes.

Military retired pay is not taxed in North Dakota.

North Dakota offers the same extension to file state income tax that is offered under IRS regulations to service members who are serving in a combat zone or in support of a contingency operation.

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.

SBP, RCSBP and RSFPP annuities are not taxed in North Dakota.

The North Dakota Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit reduces the taxable value of the homesteads of eligible disabled Veterans.

A paraplegic disabled Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces or any Veteran who has been awarded specially adapted housing by the VA, or the unremarried surviving spouse if the Veteran is deceased, are exempt from property tax for the first $120,000 of true and full value of their homestead.

A nonresident service member's spouse may be exempt from paying North Dakota taxes on income earned while stationed in North Dakota.

NDNG Service members can receive a 25% waiver of tuition charges at state supported schools and a grant for the remaining 75% of tuition charges.

The dependents of certain Veterans are eligible to attend a North Dakota state supported educational institutions free of tuition and fees. This benefit can be used for a bachelor's degree or certificate for up to 45 months or 10 semesters.

North Dakota grants residency for tuition purposes in North Dakota state supported schools to the following:

North Dakota will award honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school prior to graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War. To apply Veterans must mail a completed application and a copy of their DD214 to:

VET is a free program provided by the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs and the State Board of Higher Education to service members and Veterans to assist them to enroll in a college or technical training program that matches their academic and career goals, and help them build the necessar

North Dakota Law authorizes military-connected students impacted by reassignment to enroll early or to attend school virtually if they are forced to relocate.

Job Service North Dakota administers the North Dakota UI program, which provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own.

Veterans can request a Veteran indicator on their North Dakota driver license that indicates they served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

North Dakota offers 11 distinctive Veteran and military license plates to honor the service and sacrifice of Veterans, retired service members, active service members and family members. North Dakota Statutes Regarding Motor Vehicle Registration

Recipients of the Purple Heart are eligible for the North Dakota Purple Heart license plate. There are no fees for the first set of Purple Heart license plates.

100% service-connected disabled Veterans are eligible for two sets of North Dakota Disabled American Veteran license plates. These license plates are exempt from sales taxes and registration fees.

North Dakota offers the North Dakota Veterans license plate to Veterans who meet the North Dakota eligibility for burial requirements . These license plates are available with a decal to indicate the Veteran's branch of service.

Immediate family members of a U.S. Armed Forces service member who died while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a time of military conflict are eligible for the North Dakota Gold Star license plates. These plates may be personalized free of charge.

The knowledge and skills portion of the State CDL testing process may be waived for service members and recently discharged Veterans who have experience driving commercial motor vehicles for the U.S. Armed Forces.

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:

North Dakota will pay a $15,000 death benefit to the beneficiaries of a North Dakota National Guard Service member who dies while serving on state active duty.

The North Dakota Hardship Assistance Grant provides financial assistance to eligible Veterans their spouses and unremarried surviving spouses for unmet expenses. Grants may be used for:

North Dakota offers a state grant to assist Veterans suffering from Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to acquire a service dog. Who is eligible for Service Dog Grants for North Dakota Veterans? Veterans must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

The North Dakota Veterans Aid Fund is a permanent fund that is used to make loans to Veterans or their surviving spouse. The maximum loan amount is $5,000 with an interest rate of 8% per year and a term of 6 to 48 months.

Resident disabled Veterans who have a 50% or greater service-connected disability rating from the VA can purchase a fishing license for $10 (plus a $2 certificate fee).

North Dakota resident service members serving in the U.S. Armed Forces and stationed outside the state may purchase a deer gun license without having to participate in the license lottery.

North Dakota resident service members serving on federal active duty under Title 10, who are stationed outside of the state and received an expeditionary medal or campaign badge during the previous year's deer gun season, are eligible for one white-tailed deer gun license in the unit of their choice

North Dakota resident service members who are on leave may hunt small game, fish, or trap during the open season without a license. Service members are required to carry proof of residency and their leave paperwork when hunting, fishing, or trapping.

North Dakota Veterans who have a 50% or greater, service- connected disability rating from the VA and former POWs are eligible for a free lifetime North Dakota State Park entrance permit.

When a Veteran eligible spouse or surviving spouse applies for a position that is filled through a competitive hiring process, the hiring authority will apply five points (5% when not on a 100 point scale) for a non-disabled Veteran or 10 points (10% when not on a 100 point scale) for a disabled Vet

National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve service members who are state employees are authorized 20 working days of paid leave to attend required military duty, or for mobilization or deployment. An additional 10 days of unpaid leave will be authorized for state or federal active duty.

Job Service North Dakota helps service members who are leaving the U.S. Armed Forces, Veterans and their spouses, to transition to a rewarding career by offering priority of service for employment, training and placement services at their Job Service North Dakota Offices.

Job Service North Dakota has a Veterans' Employment Team who are trained to provide one-on-one assistance to help Veterans work through employment barriers.

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.

Professional license applications of service members and military spouses receive expedited processing. The applications of applicants who hold a valid license from another jurisdiction and substantially meet North Dakota license requirements must be completed within 30 days of receipt.

North Dakota has established a VTC program to address the needs of Veterans involved in the state judiciary system. It is a goal of the VTC program is to reduce, deter, and ultimately eliminate repeat criminal offenses. Who is eligible for North Dakota Veterans Court?

The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery located in Mandan, North Dakota offers a dignified final resting place for Veterans and their eligible family members. The cemetery can accommodate casketed and cremated remains.

The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs will award a commemorative memorial coin to a family member of a deceased North Dakota Veteran during Military Funeral Honors.

The North Dakota Military Outreach Program is a state program designed to assist Veterans, past and present service members, and their families in finding resources, services, and benefits to meet their needs.

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

SMFSCs,operated regionally throughout North Dakota, provide support and assistance to service members and their families by offering information regarding military, federal, state, and local resources.

North Dakota National Guard Service members traveling to or returning from their place of duty are authorized free passage on toll roads, bridges and ferries. Free passage is authorized for the service member's vehicle and all their military equipment.

The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a website with information regarding organizations that provide free transportation services for Veterans to attend medical appointments. Veterans can also contact their local Veterans Service Officer for assistance.

North Dakota National Guard Service members may not be arrested on any warrant, except for treason or a felony, while going to, remaining at, or returning from their place of official duty.

Veterans can have their discharge documents (DD214, etc.) recorded free of charge by the County Recorder's Office (or another designated official within their County).

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

4201 38th Street South, Suite 104 Fargo, ND 58104-7535 Phone: 701-239-7165 North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs Online Contact Page