Kentucky State Veterans Benefits

CCK Law: Our Vital Role in Veterans Law

According to the University of Kentucky, there are estimated to be approximately 230,000 veterans living in the Bluegrass State, a significant portion of the state’s population. To meet the needs of these veterans, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) offers a broad range of state-administered benefits to veterans and their families covering areas like housing, education, employment, and more.

If you are a Kentucky veteran looking to learn more about the state-level veterans benefits available to you, this article will walk you through where to start your research and any easily overlooked benefits for your state.

Key points:

• Kentucky provides a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, along with four state-run veterans homes.
• Multiple state income tax exemptions apply to military pay, retirement pay, and disability compensation for Kentucky residents.
• Veterans and their dependents may qualify for tuition waivers and other education assistance programs at Kentucky colleges and universities.
• Kentucky state parks offer free lodging and camping for veterans rated 100 percent disabled by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), as well as discounts for other eligible veterans.

What Are Kentucky’s Veterans Benefits Field Representatives (VBFR)?

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) funds a network of VA-accredited county veterans service officers who can help veterans apply for both state and federal benefits.

Are There State Housing-Related Benefits for Kentucky State Veterans?

Yes, Kentucky provides housing support for resident veterans through state-run veterans homes, a property tax exemption for disabled veterans, and programs to help veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Kentucky Veterans Homes

Kentucky operates four state veterans homes, which provide services like nursing care, rehabilitation, and community activities to older, ill, or disabled veterans. The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs oversees these facilities, which are located in:

• Hazard
• Radcliff
• Wilmore
• Hanson

Veterans interested in admission to a state veterans home should contact KDVA for information on application requirements and availability.

Kentucky Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans

Kentucky also offers the Homestead Exemption, which is a property tax exemption for older or disabled homeowners living in Kentucky. Under this regulation, eligible veterans — including those rated 100 percent disabled or totally disabled via TDIU — may qualify for a significant reduction in their annual property tax bill on their primary residence.

For 2025–2026, this property tax exemption is valued at $49,100, which is deducted from the assessed value of the veteran’s home.

To apply for the Homestead Exemption, veterans will have to complete the application form and send it (as well as any supporting documentation) to their local Property Value Administrator (PVA).

Kentucky Homeless Veterans Program

For veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, KDVA administers the Kentucky Homeless Veterans Program. This program provides veterans in need with a yearly grant of $500 to pay for essential bills like rent, gas, water, and electricity.

Veterans who need such housing assistance can find the grant application on the Homeless Veterans page of KDVA’s website.

Want to learn about veteran homeowner benefits on the federal level? Watch CCK Law Reviewing Attorney Brittani Howell discuss some of the most prominent examples:

What State Financial Benefits Are Available to Kentucky State Veterans?

Kentucky offers robust state income tax exemptions to veterans and their families, reducing or eliminating taxes from various forms of military-related income. There are also other minor financial benefits such as license plate fees.

Military Income Tax Exemptions for Kentucky Veterans

Kentucky offers the following military income tax exemptions for resident veterans and military families:

• Active-duty military pay—Active-duty military pay is fully exempt from Kentucky state income tax.
• Military retired pay—Kentucky veterans receiving a pension may be able to exclude more than $31,110 of that pension from their yearly state income tax, as long as the pension is included in their federal adjusted gross income. To determine their exact exemption percentage, Kentucky veterans may need to complete the Kentucky Schedule P: Pension Income Exclusion form.
• Military disability retirement pay—Military disability retirement pay is also generally exempt from Kentucky state income tax. This includes disability compensation, pensions paid for disabilities, grants for homes and vehicles designed for disabled veterans, and more.
• Survivor benefit annuities—For dependents and families of veterans, Kentucky allows a pension income exclusion of up to $31,110 for annuities paid under the Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP).

Disabled Veteran Vehicle License Plate / Fee Waivers for Kentucky Veterans

Kentucky currently offers free registration and license plates for certain veterans with VA disability ratings.

What State Education Benefits Does Kentucky Offer to Veterans?

Kentucky offers a variety of state-level programs to support the education of both veterans and their dependents, from tuition waivers to on-campus counseling services.

Kentucky Tuition Waivers and Assistance Programs

Kentucky provides several tuition waivers or programs meant to assist veterans and their families in earning an education in the state. These include:

• Tuition Waiver for Dependents of Deceased or Disabled Veterans—This tuition waiver is intended for the dependents of veterans who were killed in action or who have a service-connected With this waiver, eligible children and spouses may be able to attend Kentucky public colleges and universities at no cost for tuition.
• Kentucky National Guard Tuition Assistance Program—This program offers state tuition assistance for members of the Kentucky National Guard. It helps offset the cost of higher education for eligible service members so they might attend college, vocational training programs, and more. This program’s assistance depends on available funding, however, which can vary year to year.
• Kentucky Resident Tuition for Nonresident Service Members—Under Kentucky law, active-duty service members stationed in Kentucky may qualify to pay in-state tuition rates at Kentucky public colleges and universities, regardless of their official state of residence. This benefit can produce significant savings by eliminating out-of-state tuition rates for higher education.

VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC)

VA’s VetSuccess on Campus (VSOC) program places VA vocational rehabilitation counselors directly on college campuses to provide veteran students with various forms of aid, including:

• Helping veterans navigate their education benefits
• Addressing challenges that may interfere with a veteran’s academic success
• Assisting veterans in planning their career path
• And more

Several Kentucky colleges and universities host VSOC counselors. Veterans can contact VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program or their campus student affairs office to find out whether their school participates.

Campus Outreach and Student Veterans Programs

Many Kentucky colleges and universities have dedicated programs designed to smooth the transition from military to academic life. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), for example, offers a range of veteran-specific resources at its campuses around the state, including support for homeless veterans, career centers, employment and training services, and more.

Additionally, Student Veterans of America (SVA) maintains chapters on 16 Kentucky campuses, providing benefits like peer support, community, and advocacy for student veterans.

What Kentucky State Veterans Benefits Are Available for Employment?

Kentucky provides valuable employment assistance benefits to veterans in the form of dedicated career services as well as hiring preferences for state government jobs.

Veterans Services From the Kentucky Career Center

The Kentucky Career Center offers support services to veterans seeking employment in the state. These services include:

• Job search assistance and access to job listings
• Resumé writing and cover letter help
• Interview preparation and career counseling
• Referrals to job training and apprenticeship programs

Veterans can visit any Kentucky Career Center location in the state to access these services in person. Priority of service is provided both to eligible veterans and their spouses.

Veterans’ Preference for Kentucky State Jobs

Kentucky provides a hiring preference to eligible veterans applying for positions in the state’s classified civil service. Under this preference, qualifying veterans and family members may receive priority consideration for interviews when seeking initial appointment to a classified position in the state civil service.

Veterans interested in Kentucky state government positions can explore open roles through the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet.

Learn about federal employment assistance available for veterans by watching Jacob Nadreau and Brandon Paiva, VA-accredited claims advocates with CCK Law, cover VA’s VR&E program:

What Kentucky State Veterans Benefits Are Available for Recreation?

Kentucky state parks offer several discounts and benefits for veterans and active service members, ranging from camping discounts to free lodging for those who are 100 percent disabled.

Kentucky State Park Discounts for Veterans

Kentucky state parks provide these discounts to eligible veterans and service members through the Kentucky State Parks deals program:

• 15 percent military discount on lodge rooms and cottages—Active-duty service members and veterans may qualify for a 15 percent discount on lodge and cottage stays at Kentucky state parks.
• 10 percent military discount on camping—Eligible veterans and service members can receive a 10 percent discount on campsite fees at Kentucky state parks.
• Free camping for former prisoners of war (POWs)—Kentucky veterans who were held as POWs may camp at Kentucky state parks at no charge, subject to providing proper credentials.
• Free lodging for 100-percent-disabled veterans—Veterans rated 100 percent disabled by VA — including those who qualify for certain forms of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) — may receive up to three free nights per year at participating Kentucky state park lodges, hotels, cottages, and campsites.

Veterans should note that these discounts may require the presentation of credentials at the time of booking (e.g., DD Form 214 or a VA-issued POW card). Some of these benefits may also be subject to availability.

Discount Sportsman’s License for Disabled Veterans

Kentucky offers a discounted hunting and fishing sportsman’s license to veterans rated 50 percent or more disabled by VA. This discount substantially reduces the annual cost of such a license, which helps make outdoor recreational opportunities more accessible to disabled veterans.

What Kentucky State Veterans Benefits Are Available for Burial?

Kentucky operates five state veterans cemeteries, providing eligible veterans and certain family members with a place of suitable burial close to home. These cemeteries are:

• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central — Radcliff
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North — Williamstown
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast — Grayson
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Southeast — Hyden
• Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West — Hopkinsville

Eligibility for interment in a Kentucky state veterans cemetery generally requires a qualifying period of active military service and a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable. Spouses and dependent children of eligible veterans may also qualify for burial in these cemeteries.

These veterans cemeteries also provide services, including opening and closing of the grave, supplying a marker or headstone, perpetual care, and more. These services are free for deceased veterans but may incur a one-time $500 fee for dependents and spouses.

To learn more about federal burial benefits offered by VA, watch CCK Law Partner Christian McTarnaghan and colleagues discuss the essentials veterans need to know:

Frequently Asked Questions About Kentucky Veterans Benefits

What are the most valuable Kentucky state veterans benefits for disabled veterans?

Several Kentucky state benefits are especially valuable to disabled veterans, including:

• The Homestead Exemption, a property tax exemption on a primary residence for qualifying service-connected disabled veterans.
• Income tax exemptions on disability retirement pay and military retired pay.
• Tuition waivers for dependents of veterans who died in service or have a qualifying service-connected disability.
• Free lodging at state parks for veterans rated 100 percent disabled by VA (up to three nights per year).
• Discounted sportsman’s license for veterans rated 50 percent or more disabled by VA.

Does Kentucky have benefits for veterans who are not disabled?

Yes, many Kentucky state veterans benefits are available regardless of disability status. These include:

• Full state income tax exemption on active-duty military pay
• Tuition assistance through the Kentucky National Guard
• In-state tuition rates for nonresident service members stationed in Kentucky
• Employment assistance and hiring preferences for state government jobs
• 10 percent discount on camping at Kentucky state parks
• Burial at a Kentucky state veterans cemetery

Are there Kentucky veterans benefits for women?

Yes, women veterans in Kentucky may benefit from the Kentucky Women Veterans Program, which works to ensure women veterans in the state are able to access all of the benefits available to them and provides outreach and advocacy on their behalf.

Besides support from this program, Kentucky does not currently offer state benefits exclusively for women veterans. Women veterans will still be fully eligible for all of the benefits described in this article, however.

Do survivors of Kentucky veterans receive any state benefits?

Yes, surviving spouses and dependents of Kentucky veterans may be eligible for several state benefits, including:

• Tuition waivers for dependents of veterans who died in service or have a qualifying service-connected disability.
• Pension income exclusion of up to $31,110 for survivor benefit annuities under the SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP programs.
• Burial in a Kentucky state veterans cemetery for eligible spouses and dependents of qualifying veterans.

At the federal level, surviving spouses may also be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from VA.

Where can I learn more about Kentucky state veterans benefits?

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) is the primary state resource for Kentucky veterans seeking information on state benefits. Veterans can also access federal VA benefits information at va.gov.

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Wondering Whether You Qualify for Additional Benefits?

While the veterans benefits offered by the state of Kentucky are prominent, they are far from the only benefits a veteran may be entitled to. If you are curious whether you qualify for additional benefits at the federal level, check out the video below.

In this video, CCK Law Partner Bradley Hennings discusses three of the most overlooked VA benefits that can significantly increase a disabled veteran’s monthly compensation: