The state of Minnesota provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
Minnesota Veterans Homes
Minnesota Veterans Homes are located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.
Homes in Bemidji, Montevideo and Preston open in mid-2023.
There is also an Adult Day Center located in the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The Adult Day Center provides a broad array of therapeutic health care services delivered by trained professionals.
Admission to Minnesota Veterans Homes is available to honorably discharged Minnesota resident veterans with a medical or clinical need who served at least 181 consecutive days on active duty unless separated sooner because of a service-connected disability.
The spouse of an eligible veteran who is at least 55 years old and meets residency requirements may also be eligible.
Residents contribute to the cost of their care according to their means.
Minnesota Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Taxes
Military pay, retirement pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax-free.
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
Disabled veterans with a 70% or greater VA disability may qualify for a reduction in the assessed value of their home. The reduction varies depending on the amount of disability. Some surviving spouses may also qualify.
Short-Term Financial Assistance
The subsistence program provides temporary financial assistance with housing, utility, insurance and other expenses.
The benefit is income- and asset-based and is designed to assist veterans for up to six months for those who are unable to work due to a temporary disability, or who are permanently disabled and are waiting to receive federal government benefits.
Surviving spouses may also be eligible for this benefit without a temporary disability if they apply within the first 12 months of their spouse's death.
Special Needs Grant
Provides one-time financial assistance to a veteran or surviving spouse to assist in financial stability and prevent homelessness. Grants may be awarded to provide such things as housing costs and repairs, medical expenses, auto repairs etc.
Dental and Vision Care
Minnesota veterans are eligible for up to $1,000 of free dental care annually. However, this may be increased in certain situations.
Minnesota veterans are also eligible for up to $400 of free vision care annually.
These benefits are income-based.
Minnesota Veteran Employment Benefits
Minnesota Veterans Preference Act
Minnesota Veterans Preference Act (VPA) grants veterans a limited preference over non-veterans in hiring and promotion for Minnesota public employment and also provides protection against unfair dismissals and demotions. VPA grants veterans the right to a hearing, prior to dismissal.
Minnesota Veteran Education Benefits
Minnesota GI Bill
The Minnesota GI Bill is available to:
- Minnesota veterans who served honorably in any branch of the military at any time.
- Non-veterans who served honorably for a cumulative total of five years or more as a member of the Minnesota National Guard or any other active or reserve component and had active service after Sep. 11, 2001.
- Eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and children of permanently and totally disabled veterans who are eligible for the federal GI Bill.
Full-time undergraduate or graduate students receive up to $3,000 per academic year and $10,000 per lifetime.
OJT and Apprenticeship individuals are eligible for up to $2,000 per fiscal year for either program. Approved employers are eligible to receive $1,000 placement credit payable upon hiring a person under this program and another $1,000 after 12 consecutive months of employment.
Recipients must be a Minnesota resident under the age of 62 and enrolled at a Minnesota institution.
Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education Benefit
The Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education benefit is for spouses and dependents, including adopted and stepchildren, whose veteran spouse and/or veteran parent died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.
The veteran must have been a resident of Minnesota when they entered the military or have been a resident of Minnesota for at least six months prior to passing away due to a service-connected disability.
Applicants must be Minnesota residents, and the spouse cannot be remarried. There is no age limitation for eligible survivors.
Surviving spouses and dependents can get a bachelor's degree without paying tuition. They also get $750 per year for fees, books and supplies, and/or room and board.
The benefit is available at Minnesota state or private institutions in the state.
Minnesota Veteran Recreation Benefits
The hunting and fishing benefits to active-duty members and veterans are very generous, but specialized licenses such as bear, deer, waterfowl, etc., may require fees. Always check the current Minnesota Department of Natural Resources regulations before hunting or fishing.
Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permits
All active-duty personnel, disabled veterans, and Purple Heart recipients get free admission to Minnesota state parks. You do not have to be a Minnesota resident to qualify.
Active-Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Nonresidents stationed in Minnesota can get hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Minnesota residents home on leave can hunt and fish for free.
Resident Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License
Minnesota 100% disabled veterans get a free lifetime fishing license and a free annual hunting license.
Firearms Safety Training
Anyone who has successfully completed military basic training may be exempt from the Field Day components of the Hunter Firearms Safety course.
Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries
Minnesota has three state veterans cemeteries. The cemeteries are in Duluth, Little Falls and Preston. A fourth is scheduled to open in Redwood Falls in 2023. Burial is open to all veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
Veterans are interred free of charge. Dependents may pay a small fee.
Visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Services website for more information about any of these programs.
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