The state of Missouri provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
Missouri Veterans Homes
Missouri has seven veterans homes located in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mt. Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg.
To be eligible for admission, a veteran must have lived in Missouri for 180 days, require skilled nursing care and have an other than dishonorable discharge.
Missouri Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Active duty is tax-free.
Reserve pay is exempt from income tax. For 2022, up to 60% of reserve pay is exempt, this will increase to 100% by 2024.
Military retirement & SBP benefits are tax-free.
Property Tax Credits
The Missouri Property Tax Credit Claim gives credit to some 100% VA disabled veterans for a portion of the real estate taxes or rent paid for the year.
The maximum credit is $750 for renters and $1,100 for homeowners. The actual credit is based on the amount of real estate taxes or rent paid and total household income (taxable and nontaxable).
Missouri Veteran Education Benefits
Missouri Returning Heroes Act
Limits undergraduate tuition at any state college to no more than $50 per credit hour. Must be Missouri resident with an other than dishonorable discharge and served in a combat zone after Sept. 11, 2001. GPA standards must be met.
War Veteran’s Survivor Grant Program
Available to children and spouses of veterans whose deaths or injuries were a result of combat action or were attributed to an illness that was contracted while serving in combat action, or who became 80% disabled as a result of injuries or accidents sustained in combat action since Sept. 11, 2001.
The veteran must have been a Missouri resident when first entering the military service or at the time of death or injury. Children must be under 25.
Missouri Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans Preference for State Employment
Missouri Veterans get a five point preference when testing for any state employment position, with a ten point preference for a service-connected disabled veteran. Spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify.
Commercial Driver Exam (CDL) Exemption
Active duty or retired military can get a waiver of the skills testing portion of a CDL. You must have a minimum of 60 days active duty driving experience in a commercial motor vehicle for the military within 2 years of applying for the waiver.
You must still complete the required knowledge examinations for the commercial driver license class being applied for.
Missouri Veteran Recreation Benefits
Free Fishing & Hunting License for Disabled Veterans
Any honorably discharged veteran with a service-connected disability of 60% or more can fish or hunt without permit. You must have proof of eligibility on your person, some trout or turkey tags may be required.
Guard & reserve members who are currently (or have in the last 12 months) mobilized under federal orders can get a fishing and hunting license for $5.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Active duty members, and their families, stationed in Missouri can get hunting & fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Veterans Cemeteries
There are five state veterans cemeteries, one each in Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield, Ft. Leonard Wood, and Jacksonville.
There is no charge for any of the services provided. Eligibility is the same as for a federal cemetery, there is no residency requirement. Spouses, and dependent children may be eligible for burial.
Visit the Missouri Veterans Commission website for more details on any of these programs.
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