The state of Wisconsin provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits.
Wisconsin Veterans Homes
Wisconsin has three veterans homes in Chippewa Falls, King, and Union Grove. You don't have to be a Wisconsin resident to be admitted, however Wisconsin residents get priority.
You must have an honorable discharge to be admitted.
Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents are also eligible for admission.
There is a monthly fee.
Wisconsin Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Military retirement and SBP payments are tax-free.
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit
The Wisconsin Veterans & Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit gives eligible veterans and unremarried, surviving spouses a property tax credit for their primary residence.
Veterans rated 100% disabled or unemployable by the VA are eligible. Surviving spouses may also be eligible if they get DIC.
Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant
The Assistance to Needy Veterans Grant (ANVG) program provides limited financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other sources of aid. The grants may be used for specified health care and subsistence needs up to maximum grant limits.
Aid to Military Families
Families of activated or deployed military members and unremarried surviving spouses and dependent children of an eligible veteran who died in the line of duty while on active duty or inactive duty for training may qualify for financial assistance due to emergencies. Emergencies include medical emergencies, major appliance or household utility failure, vehicle repair, natural disaster etc.
Wisconsin Veteran Employment Benefits
Veterans Retraining Grants
Recently unemployed or underemployed veterans may receive a grant of up to $3,000 per year, for a maximum of two years, if they have a financial need while being retrained for employment.
Veterans Preference
Honorably discharged veterans get an extra 10 points added to a passing score on a state civil service examination. Veterans with a service-connected disability of less than 30% are entitled to 15 points and those with a rating of 30% or more are entitled to 20 points added to their passing score.
Some spouses of disabled or deceased veterans may also have points added to a passing score.
Veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 30% may be hired for a permanent, entry-level position with the state on a noncompetitive basis. Check with the hiring agency for more information.
Wisconsin Veteran Education Benefits
Wisconsin G.I. Bill
The Wisconsin GI Bill pays full tuition and segregated fees for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to eight full-time semesters or 128 credits, whichever is greater, at any University of Wisconsin System or Wisconsin Technical College System school.
Generally, the veteran must have an honorable discharge, wartime service, and Wisconsin state residency. For dependents to be eligible, the veteran must have at least 30% disability. Check with your school or the Wisconsin VA for more details.
VetEd Education Grant
The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant program provides a reimbursement grant based on a credit-bank system that is based on length of active duty military service. Veterans who have not yet been awarded a bachelor’s degree may be eligible.
It reimburses tuition and fees following successful course completion at an eligible UW, technical college, or approved private college.
Wisconsin Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veterans Fishing License
Wisconsin disabled veterans with a VA disability of at least 70% are eligible for a reduced-fee fishing license.
Active Duty Hunting, Trapping, and Fishing Licenses
Active duty Wisconsin residents on leave can get a free small game license, turkey permit, & fishing license. They can also buy a bonus antlerless deer carcass tag for any ONE unit with a quota; even if the unit is sold out, a sturgeon spearing license after the October 31 deadline, through the end of the open season for spearing sturgeon; and can get a one-time transfer of a Class A Bear license.
All other hunting, trapping or fishing licenses can be purchased at resident rates.
Non-Resident active duty members stationed in Wisconsin can get licenses at the resident rate.
Returning Veterans Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Recently returning Wisconsin resident veterans can get a one-time free small game, archery, gun deer or annual fishing license.
Purple Heart Recipients Licenses
Purple Heart recipients can buy a spring turkey harvest authorization without being awarded a harvest authorization through the turkey drawing. They can also get a one-time transfer of a Class A bear license.
Purple Heart recipients can get the Conservation Patron license at reduced fees (for both residents and non-residents). Non-resident Purple Heart recipients can get hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses at the resident rate.
State Parks
Disabled veterans with at least 70% disability may receive waivers of vehicle admission and trail pass fees to Wisconsin state parks.
Wisconsin Veterans Cemeteries
Wisconsin has three veterans cemeteries in King, Spooner, and Union Grove.
Honorably discharged Wisconsin resident veterans and their dependents are eligible for burial. There is no fee for the veteran's burial and a small fee for the dependents.
Visit the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information on any of these programs.
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