Tennessee Veteran Benefits

Tennessee does not have a general state income tax. Residents do not have to file an individual state income tax return.

This benefit transfers to the unremarried surviving spouse of a disabled Veteran who was eligible for property tax relief. The surviving spouse must solely or jointly own the property and must use it as their home.

Motor vehicles sold to certain U.S. Armed Forces Service members and registered in Tennessee are exempt from sales and use tax. Who is eligible for Tennessee Tax Free Motor Vehicle Sales to Service Members? The following Service members are eligible:

New or used vehicles sold, given, or donated to disabled Veterans or active duty Service members who have a service-connected disability and receive a VA grant for a specially adapted vehicle are exempt from sales tax, registration fees, and local motor vehicle privilege taxes.

The Tennessee STRONG Act provides tuition assistance through a tuition reimbursement program for Tennessee National Guard Service members working towards:

Tennessee resident Veterans who are students at a Tennessee public institution of higher education are eligible to register for classes prior to the general student population. Early registration for Veterans uses the same procedures used by student athletes, disabled students, and honor students.

The Helping Heroes Grant offers a $1,000 grant per semester to eligible Veterans who enroll in 12 or more semester hours, and a $500 grant per semester for 6 to 11 semester hours. Veterans enrolled in less than six semester hours are not eligible for a grant.

Honorary high school diplomas may be issued to Veterans who left a Tennessee high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War I, World War II, Korea, or Vietnam and received an Honorable Discharge.

Tennessee National Guard Service members who are injured, become ill, disabled or die while serving on state active duty, or during authorized training are eligible for medical coverage and compensation under Tennessee Workers' Compensation Laws .

Tennessee offers lifetime hunting and fishing licenses for eligible disabled Veterans for a one-time fee of $10. Who is eligible for the Tennessee Lifetime Hunting and Fishing license for Disabled Veterans? Resident Veterans who have a 100% total and permanent service-connected disability rating fro

Service members on leave from the U.S. Armed Forces are not required to purchase a hunting or fishing license when on leave. Service members must carry their leave papers with them when they are hunting or fishing.

Tennessee resident Veterans who have a 100% service-connected disability rating are eligible for 50% discount of camping and cabin fees year round. Tennessee State Parks Salute to Service Discount Information

State employees who are the spouse, child, or parent of a Service member are authorized leave when the Service member is serving on active duty or called to active duty to deploy to a foreign county.

Tennessee American Job Centers provide employment assistance for Veterans and Service members leaving the military. Additionally, priority of service is given to those eligible for all programs funded completely or in part by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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 Tennessee 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.

Veterans who qualify for a disability license plate or placard can request a free decal that can be placed on any existing military or memorial license plate. This decal authorizes use of handicap accessible parking spaces.

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 six national cemeteries in Tennessee. Please see the local location listing for the nearest cemetery.

Honorablydischarged Veterans are eligible for a Veteran designation on theirTennessee driver license or ID card.

The Tennessee driver license of a Service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces remains valid while they are on active duty and stationed outside Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security offers a CDL skills test waiver for Service members and former Service members based on their military training and experience.

The Tennessee Medal of Honor license plate is available for recipients of the Medal of Honor. Applicants must provide their DD214 or a letter of confirmation from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services verifying they received the Medal of Honor.

The Tennessee Purple Heart license plate is available for recipients of the Purple Heart. Applicants must provide their DD214 or a letter of confirmation from the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services verifying they received the Purple Heart.

The Tennessee Disabled Veteran license plate is available for Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a service-connected total and permanent disability rating from the VA.

The Tennessee Honorably Discharged license plate is available for Veterans who received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces. Applicants must provide proof of service and that they received an honorable discharge. This license plate may be used on passenger vehicles and motorcycles.

The Tennessee Gold Star Family license plate is available for the spouse, parent, sibling, or child of a service member who died in the line of duty while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or as a result of injuries they received while serving. Applicants must provide a DD1300 Report of Casualty.

Service members stationed outside the U.S. while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces may apply for a onetime permit to ship wine they purchased overseas into Tennessee for $100. Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Armed Forces Import Permit

Tennessee County Clerks are required to register separation documents, DD214 (discharges), for resident Veterans free of charge. Tennessee County Clerk Directory

Abandoned military medals are held by the State Treasurer until the owner, owner's heirs or beneficiaries can be identified for the return of the medal. The Treasurer may appoint a custodian, such as a Veterans' organization, to hold the abandoned medals.

The Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal may be awarded to Service members serving on active duty who were killed in action. The recipient's name will be entered into the case of the Tennessee Fallen Heroes Medal and will be awarded by the governor or the governor's designee to the immediate survivor of th

Tennessee lawrequires the Governor to proclaim a state-wide day of mourning, when a Tennessee resident Service member serving in the U.S. Armed Forces is killed in action or dies as a direct result of injuries sustained from a serviced connected, combat related cause.

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