Kentucky

Full property tax exemption on your homestead for totally disabled veterans.

Veterans with a total service-connected permanent disability receive a complete property tax exemption on their homestead. Surviving unremarried spouses retain the exemption.

Up to $46,350 off assessed value of your homestead.

Veterans with a 100% service-connected permanent disability receive a homestead exemption of up to $46,350 (2025 amount, indexed for inflation) off assessed value. Surviving unremarried spouses retain the exemption.

Up to $31,110 per year of military retirement pay exempt from state income tax.

Kentucky exempts up to $31,110 per year of military retirement pay from state income tax. The exemption amount is indexed annually for inflation. Kentucky has a flat 4% state income tax.

DV plates with exemption from registration fees for 100% permanently disabled veterans.

DV specialty license plates for service-connected disabled veterans.

Veteran, Purple Heart, Medal of Honor, POW, branch-specific, and Gold Star Family plates available.

Disabled veterans may be exempt from motor vehicle usage tax on one vehicle.

Tuition waiver at Kentucky public colleges and universities for 100% disabled veterans and eligible dependents.

Provides a full tuition waiver at any Kentucky public college or university. Available to veterans with 100% service-connected disability, and to dependents or survivors of veterans killed in action or who died from service-connected disability.

Tuition assistance at Kentucky public institutions for active Guard members.

Covers tuition not already covered by federal Tuition Assistance or GI Bill benefits at Kentucky public colleges and universities.

Veterans using GI Bill receive in-state tuition regardless of residency.

Scholarship programs for dependents of deceased or disabled veterans.

Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority administers scholarship programs specifically for dependents of deceased or disabled veterans.

Preference for veterans in Kentucky state government hiring.

Kentucky provides hiring preference for veterans in state government positions. Disabled veterans receive additional preference points.

Priority of service and dedicated veteran specialists at Kentucky Career Centers.

Veterans receive priority of service at Kentucky Career Centers (formerly One-Stop Centers). Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists and Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program staff are available.

Expedited professional licensing for veterans and military spouses.

Kentucky expedites professional licensing for military spouses and veterans with equivalent out-of-state licenses. Military experience is credited toward licensing requirements where applicable.

Free hunting and fishing license for 100% permanently disabled veterans.

Reduced-fee licenses for veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability.

Active duty military stationed in Kentucky can purchase resident hunting and fishing licenses.

VA medical centers in Lexington (two campuses) and Louisville.

Lexington VA Medical Center has two campuses (Leestown and Cooper Drive). Louisville has the Robley Rex VA Medical Center. Multiple Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) across the state including Bowling Green, Ft. Thomas, Hazard, Morehead, Newburg, Paducah, and Somerset.

State-run skilled nursing facilities for veterans in Hanson, Hazard, Radcliff, and Wilmore.

Kentucky operates four state veterans centers providing long-term skilled nursing care for eligible veterans. Locations in Hanson, Hazard, Radcliff, and Wilmore.

Readjustment counseling and PTSD services in Lexington and Louisville.

Vet Centers provide readjustment counseling, PTSD services, and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) counseling. Located in Lexington and Louisville.

Discounts at Kentucky state resort parks for veterans; free or reduced admission for disabled veterans.

Veteran designation available on Kentucky driver's licenses and ID cards.

Requires DD-214 verification. Serves as proof of veteran status for discounts and benefits.

Emergency financial assistance for Kentucky veterans in crisis.

Provides emergency financial assistance to Kentucky veterans experiencing crisis situations. Administered through the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs.

Free VA claims assistance through Kentucky DVA field offices statewide.

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs provides free VA claims assistance through field offices with service officers located throughout the state.

Free burial at state veterans cemeteries in Radcliff, Williamstown, and Hopkinsville.

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central (Radcliff), Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North (Williamstown), and Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West (Hopkinsville) provide free burial for eligible veterans and dependents.

Specialized court dockets connecting veteran offenders with VA services and treatment.

Select Kentucky counties operate specialized veterans treatment court dockets that connect veteran offenders with VA services and treatment programs as an alternative to traditional sentencing.

Up to 21 days of paid military leave per federal fiscal year for state employees.

Kentucky provides military funeral honors coordination for eligible veterans.