Missouri Veteran Benefits

Missouri Property Tax Credit (Circuit Breaker)

An income-tested credit that refunds a portion of the real estate taxes or rent paid on a primary residence. Missouri has no general disabled-veteran homestead exemption, so this credit is the main property tax relief available to qualifying veterans who are 100 percent disabled.

Eligibility: Missouri resident who is 65+, or 100 percent disabled (including veterans rated 100 percent service-connected disabled), or a 60+ surviving spouse, subject to household income limits (roughly $30,000 or less for single homeowners, $34,000 for married filing combined).

Estimated value: Up to $1,100 for owners; up to $750 for renters

How to apply: File Form MO-PTC (or MO-PTS with your MO-1040) with the Missouri Department of Revenue, attaching proof of taxes/rent paid and disability.

Missouri Returning Heroes' Education Act

Caps tuition at Missouri public colleges and universities for eligible combat veterans, applied after other financial aid. Graduate tuition is capped at no more than 30 percent of the cost of tuition and fees.

Eligibility: Combat veterans (including Reserve/Guard called to active combat service for more than 30 consecutive days) who were Missouri residents at time of service; must maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Undergraduate eligibility runs 10 years from last discharge (20 years for graduate).

Estimated value: Undergraduate tuition capped at $50 per credit hour

How to apply: Apply through the veterans or financial aid office at your Missouri public institution; program administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Wartime Veteran's Survivors Grant Program

Education grant for the children and spouses of Missouri combat veterans who died or were disabled (60 percent or greater) as a result of combat, or whose death was determined by the VA to be service-connected.

Eligibility: Children and spouses of Missouri resident combat veterans deployed on or after 9/11/2001 (or other qualifying combat service) whose death/injury resulted from combat; student must maintain a 2.5 GPA. Limited by statute to 25 recipients per year.

Estimated value: Tuition (up to University of Missouri-Columbia resident rate), up to $2,000/semester room and board, plus up to $500 for books

How to apply: Apply through the Missouri Student Financial Aid Portal; administered by the Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development.

Operation Recognition Honorary High School Diploma

Provides honorary high school diplomas to Missouri veterans and civilian former prisoners of war who left high school before graduating to serve in the military.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans (and civilian POWs) who are current or former Missouri residents and did not return to complete high school after service; family may apply on behalf of a deceased veteran.

How to apply: Submit an application with a copy of your DD-214/discharge papers to the Missouri Veterans Commission; forms are available through DESE and the Commission.

Veterans Preference in State Employment

Missouri gives veterans, disabled veterans, and certain spouses and surviving spouses hiring preference for state government positions, awarded as points added to competitive examination scores.

Eligibility: Veterans applying for State of Missouri employment; five preference points for veterans and ten points for service-connected disabled veterans (also extends to certain spouses/surviving spouses).

Estimated value: 5 preference points (veterans) or 10 points (disabled veterans)

How to apply: Claim veterans preference and submit your DD-214 when applying for State of Missouri positions; see the state veterans employment portal.

Disabled Veteran Business Contract Preference

Missouri agencies and political subdivisions must give purchasing and contracting preference to qualified disabled veteran business enterprises when quality is equal or better and price is the same or less.

Eligibility: Businesses at least 51 percent owned and controlled by service-connected disabled veterans that meet Missouri's disabled veteran business enterprise criteria.

How to apply: Register and pursue certification as a disabled veteran business enterprise; see Missouri statute RSMo 34.074 and the Office of Administration.

Free Hunting & Fishing Permits for Disabled Veterans

Qualifying disabled veterans and former POWs may hunt (except black bears, deer, elk, and turkeys) and fish in Missouri without purchasing a permit; other veterans may buy permits at resident prices.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with a service-connected disability of 60 percent or greater, or who were a prisoner of war; must carry a certified statement of eligibility from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Estimated value: No-cost fishing and most hunting permits (permit-exempt)

How to apply: Carry your VA certified statement of eligibility while hunting or fishing; see the Missouri Department of Conservation veteran benefits page for details and permit exceptions.

State Parks Military & Veteran Camping Discount

Missouri State Parks offers a year-round camping discount to veterans, active-duty and retired military, and their families, plus free tours and a free night of camping around Veterans Day.

Eligibility: Veterans, active-duty, and retired military personnel (and family members of active-duty) who present valid military ID, a DD Form 214, or acceptable disability documentation at check-in.

Estimated value: $2 per night camping discount

How to apply: Show valid military/veteran identification at campground check-in at any Missouri State Park.

Disabled Veteran License Plates (Fee Exempt)

Missouri issues Disabled Veteran specialty license plates with no fee for the first set, including no personalization fee. Any service-connected disability qualifies.

Eligibility: Missouri resident honorably discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces with a service-connected disability, documented by a VA statement no more than one year old.

Estimated value: No fee for first set of plates (subsequent sets charged regular fees)

How to apply: Submit Application for Missouri Military Personalized License Plates (Form 4601) and a current VA service-connection statement to the Department of Revenue.

Missouri Veterans Homes (Skilled Nursing Care)

The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven long-term skilled nursing homes providing 24-hour nursing, physician services, therapy, and medication management for eligible veterans.

Eligibility: Missouri citizen with 180 consecutive days of physical residency immediately prior to application, requiring 24-hour skilled nursing care with physician documentation, discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, and without a Class A or B felony history.

Estimated value: Subsidized skilled nursing (approx. $2,773/month; VA aid may offset cost)

How to apply: Complete the MVC Veterans Homes application packet and submit to the Missouri Veterans Commission Homes Program.

Military Retirement Pay Income Tax Exemption

Missouri fully exempts military retirement income from state income tax with no income cap, effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2024. This includes regular, Reserve, and Guard retirement pay.

Eligibility: Missouri residents receiving military retirement pay from the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves, or National Guard.

Estimated value: 100% of military retirement income exempt from Missouri income tax

How to apply: Deduct qualifying military retirement income on your Missouri Form MO-1040; see the Department of Revenue Military Reference Guide for details.

Free Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Claims Assistance

The Missouri Veterans Commission employs Veterans Service Officers statewide who provide free counseling and help filing for federal and state benefits, including disability compensation, pensions, education, and burial benefits.

Eligibility: All Missouri veterans and their dependents or survivors.

Estimated value: Free professional claims assistance

How to apply: Use the Veterans Service Officer Locator on the Missouri Veterans Commission benefits portal or call the Commission to schedule an appointment.