Tennessee Veteran Benefits
12 state benefits for veterans in Tennessee.
Property Tax
View all Property Tax in Tennessee →Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans
Tennessee reimburses all or part of the property taxes on a qualifying disabled veteran's primary residence, calculated on up to the first $175,000 of the home's market value. There is no income limit for eligible disabled veterans.
Eligibility: Veteran owning and living in the home as a primary residence with a VA service-connected permanent and total disability, a qualifying disability such as paraplegia, loss/loss of use of two or more limbs, or legal blindness, or a 100% rating as a former prisoner of war.
Estimated value: Tax relief calculated on up to the first $175,000 of the home's market value; no income limit
How to apply: Apply through your county trustee's office (or the city collecting official). Bring your VA disability documentation and proof the home is your primary residence.
Property Tax Relief for Surviving Spouses
The unremarried surviving spouse of a qualifying disabled veteran (or of a service member who died in the line of duty) may continue to receive property tax relief on their primary residence under the state program.
Eligibility: Unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who qualified (or would have qualified) for disabled veteran property tax relief, or of a service member killed in the line of duty; must own and occupy the home as a primary residence.
Estimated value: Tax relief calculated on up to the first $175,000 of the home's market value; no income limit
How to apply: Apply through your county trustee's office with proof of the veteran's qualifying status and your marital/residency status.
Education
View all Education in Tennessee →Helping Heroes Grant
State lottery-funded grant administered by the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) that helps eligible veterans and members of the reserve/National Guard pay for postsecondary education at eligible Tennessee institutions.
Eligibility: Tennessee resident veteran (honorably discharged) or current/former reserve or National Guard member who was awarded a qualifying medal (e.g., Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, or Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal on/after 9/11/2001), has not earned a bachelor's degree, and maintains satisfactory academic progress.
Estimated value: $1,000 per semester (12+ hours) or $500 per semester (6-11 hours)
How to apply: Complete the FAFSA and the Helping Heroes Grant application through TSAC before the term deadline (Sept 1 fall, Mar 1 spring, May 1 summer).
Employment
View all Employment in Tennessee →Veterans' Preference for State Employment
Under the TEAM Act, veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for a preferred state position are guaranteed an interview, and receive preference when qualifications are otherwise equal to a non-veteran applicant.
Eligibility: Veterans applying for eligible State of Tennessee positions; certain spouses and unremarried surviving spouses of veterans who were 100% disabled or died in the line of duty also qualify (subject to residency/voter requirements).
Estimated value: Guaranteed interview plus hiring preference for State of Tennessee jobs
How to apply: Claim veterans' preference when applying for state jobs and submit proof of eligibility (such as your DD-214) to the Department of Human Resources.
Recreation/Hunting & Fishing
View all Recreation/Hunting & Fishing in Tennessee →Disabled Veteran Lifetime Hunting & Fishing License
TWRA offers a lifetime combination hunting and fishing license to eligible resident disabled veterans for a one-time $10 fee; the license never expires and covers basic hunting and fishing seasons.
Eligibility: Tennessee resident veteran with a 100% permanent and total VA service-connected disability, or a 30% or greater disability resulting from wartime service.
Estimated value: Lifetime license for a one-time $10 fee
How to apply: Download the TWRA Miscellaneous License Application, complete it, and mail it with a copy of your DD-214 and VA disability documentation to the TWRA Sales Office in Nashville.
State Park Discounts for Veterans
Tennessee State Parks provide discounts to veterans, including reduced camping and cabin rates for disabled veterans, plus a free night of camping and a complimentary round of golf for resident veterans on Veterans Day.
Eligibility: Resident veterans for Veterans Day offers; resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability for the year-round camping/cabin discount. Proof of Tennessee residency, veteran status, and disability rating required.
Estimated value: Up to ~50% off campsites and cabins for 100% disabled veterans; free Veterans Day camping night and golf round
How to apply: Book by calling the reservation line at 1-888-867-2757 (or online) and present your residency, veteran, and disability documentation at check-in.
Vehicle/DMV
View all Vehicle/DMV in Tennessee →Free Disabled Veteran License Plate
The Tennessee Department of Revenue issues a disabled veteran license plate free of charge (registration and plate) for a vehicle registered to a qualifying disabled veteran, or jointly to the veteran and spouse.
Eligibility: Veteran with a 100% permanent and total VA service-connected disability, or who has loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, or permanent vision impairment of 20/200 or worse. One free plate per eligible veteran (grandfathered veterans may keep two).
Estimated value: Free plate and registration (normal fees waived)
How to apply: Apply through your county clerk with your VA disability documentation; the plate is administered by the TN Department of Revenue.
County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax Exemption
Qualifying disabled veterans and former prisoners of war are exempt from the annual county motor vehicle privilege tax (wheel tax) on their vehicle registration.
Eligibility: Veteran with a 100% permanent and total VA service-connected disability, or a former prisoner of war, with status confirmed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Estimated value: Full exemption from the annual county wheel/privilege tax
How to apply: Submit evidence of your disability or POW status to the county officer who collects the motor vehicle privilege tax (typically the county clerk).
Free Disabled Parking Decal for Veterans
Disabled veterans can receive a free disabled driver decal that attaches to a specialty license plate, providing disabled parking privileges at no cost.
Eligibility: Veterans who meet the definition of a disabled driver under TCA 55-21-102.
Estimated value: No-cost disabled parking decal
How to apply: Contact the Tennessee Department of Revenue for the application and instructions; the decal is administered through that agency.
Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID
Honorably discharged veterans can have a veteran designation added to their Tennessee driver license or ID card, serving as convenient proof of veteran status without carrying discharge papers.
Eligibility: Any honorably discharged Tennessee veteran.
Estimated value: Standard license/ID fees apply; no separate charge for the designation
How to apply: Visit any driver services center with a certified or original copy of your DD-214 and request the veteran designation.
Healthcare
View all Healthcare in Tennessee →Tennessee State Veterans Homes
Tennessee operates state veterans homes providing skilled nursing care to eligible veterans, with locations in Murfreesboro, Humboldt, Knoxville, Clarksville, and Arlington.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans who need a skilled level of care and have a Tennessee residency/service connection (e.g., Tennessee resident at admission or entered service from Tennessee). Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents may also be served.
Estimated value: Skilled nursing care; VA per-diem support may reduce cost for eligible veterans
How to apply: Contact the desired facility to begin the application/tour process; a copy of the DD-214 is required prior to admission.
Financial
View all Financial in Tennessee →Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption for Deployed Service Members
Members of the Tennessee National Guard and reserve members of a U.S. uniformed service may be exempt from Tennessee sales tax on a motor vehicle purchase while serving in a qualifying deployed status.
Eligibility: Tennessee National Guard or reserve members who are called into active military service, stationed outside the United States, and actively engaged in combat during ongoing hostilities.
Estimated value: Full exemption from state sales tax on the motor vehicle purchase
How to apply: Provide qualifying service documentation to the county clerk at the time of titling/registration; administered by the TN Department of Revenue.