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Montana

Disclaimer: This information is for general guidance only and may not reflect recent changes. Always verify with the official source linked below. This is not legal, medical, or financial advice.

Filter by Disability Rating

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Property Tax

1 benefit

Disabled Veteran Property Tax Reduction

10%+

Veterans with 100% service-connected disability receive a property tax reduction on their primary residence, with up to $100,000 of market value exempt.

Lesser exemptions are available for veterans with lower disability ratings. The exemption applies to the primary residence only.

Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rated by the VA; full benefit at 100% disability with proportional reductions at lower ratingsMCA 15-6-211Applies to dependents/surviving spouse
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Income Tax

2 benefits

Military Retirement Pay Partial Exemption

All Veterans

Up to $5,500 of military retirement pay is exempt from Montana state income tax for those with AGI under the applicable threshold.

Eligibility: Retired military personnel receiving military retirement pay with adjusted gross income under the state thresholdMCA 15-30-2110

No General Sales Tax

All Veterans

Montana has no general sales tax, benefiting all residents including veterans on everyday purchases.

Eligibility: All Montana residents including veteransMontana Constitution, no sales tax statuteApplies to dependents/surviving spouse
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Vehicle / Registration

3 benefits

Disabled Veteran License Plates

10%+

Special DV plates are available for veterans with a service-connected disability. Veterans with 100% disability are exempt from registration fees.

Eligibility: Veterans with a service-connected disability rating from the VAMCA 61-3-459

Veteran Specialty License Plates

All Veterans

Montana offers specialty plates for veterans including Veteran, Purple Heart, POW, branch-specific, and Gold Star plates.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with DD-214 documentation; specific plates require qualifying service or statusMontana DOJ/MVD regulations

Former POW Free License Plates and Registration

All Veterans

Former prisoners of war receive free license plates and vehicle registration in Montana.

Eligibility: Former prisoners of war with documentation of POW statusMCA 61-3-458
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Education

4 benefits

Montana Veterans Honor Scholarship Waiver

All Veterans

Wartime veterans with an honorable discharge who served in a recognized campaign receive a tuition waiver at Montana University System schools.

Veteran must have been a Montana resident at time of entry into service or for at least one year prior to application.

Eligibility: Wartime veterans with honorable discharge who served in a recognized campaign and meet Montana residency requirementsMCA 20-25-421

Fee Waiver for Dependents of Deceased/Disabled Veterans

All Veterans

Fee waivers are available for dependents of Montana veterans killed in action or who died of service-connected causes.

Eligibility: Dependents of Montana veterans killed in action or who died from service-connected causesMCA 20-25-421Applies to dependents/surviving spouse

In-State Tuition for GI Bill Veterans

All Veterans

Veterans using the GI Bill receive in-state tuition rates at Montana public institutions regardless of residency status.

Eligibility: Veterans using GI Bill benefits at Montana public colleges and universitiesFederal Section 702 / Montana University System policyApplies to dependents/surviving spouse

Montana National Guard Tuition Assistance

All Veterans

Active Montana National Guard members are eligible for state tuition assistance at Montana public institutions.

Eligibility: Active members of the Montana National GuardMontana Military Affairs policy
💼

Employment

3 benefits

State Veteran Hiring Preference

All Veterans

Honorably discharged veterans and disabled veterans receive preference in Montana state government hiring.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans and disabled veterans applying for state government positionsMCA 39-29-102

Montana Job Service Veteran Priority

All Veterans

Veterans receive priority of service at Montana Job Service offices with access to dedicated DVOP specialists and LVERs.

Eligibility: All veterans seeking employment assistance in MontanaMontana DLI policy

Professional License Reciprocity

All Veterans

Montana recognizes military training and experience toward professional licensing and offers expedited licensing for veterans and military spouses.

Eligibility: Veterans with relevant military training and experience; military spouses with existing professional licensesMCA 37-1-145Applies to dependents/surviving spouse
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Hunting & Fishing

3 benefits

Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

60%+

Veterans with 60%+ service-connected disability receive free resident conservation license, fishing license, and deer/elk combination license.

Must be a Montana resident with VA disability documentation.

Eligibility: Montana resident veterans with 60% or higher service-connected disability rated by the VAMCA 87-2-803

Resident License Rates for Active Duty

All Veterans

Active duty military personnel stationed in Montana may purchase hunting and fishing licenses at resident rates.

Eligibility: Active duty military members stationed in MontanaMontana FWP policy

Reduced-Fee Combination License for Veterans

All Veterans

Montana offers a reduced-fee combination hunting/fishing license for all veterans at a rate lower than the standard fee.

Eligibility: All honorably discharged veterans who are Montana residentsMontana FWP regulations
🏥

Healthcare

3 benefits

VA Montana Health Care System

All Veterans

The VA Montana Health Care System based at Fort Harrison in Helena provides comprehensive healthcare services to veterans with CBOCs across the state.

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics located in Anaconda, Billings, Bozeman, Cut Bank, Glasgow, Glendive, Great Falls, Havre, Helena, Kalispell, Lewistown, Miles City, Missoula, Plentywood, and Sidney.

Eligibility: Veterans enrolled in VA healthcareFederal VA healthcare system

Montana Veterans Home

All Veterans

The Montana Veterans Home in Columbia Falls provides skilled nursing and domiciliary care for eligible veterans.

Eligibility: Eligible veterans meeting admission criteria for long-term careMontana DVA policy

Vet Centers — Readjustment Counseling

All Veterans

Free readjustment counseling services available at Vet Centers in Billings and Missoula for eligible veterans and their families.

Eligibility: Combat veterans, veterans who experienced military sexual trauma, and their familiesFederal Vet Center programApplies to dependents/surviving spouse
🎁

Free Stuff & Parks

2 benefits

Free "VETERAN" Designation on Driver's License

All Veterans

Honorably discharged veterans can get a free "VETERAN" designation added to their Montana driver's license or state ID by presenting DD-214 at an MVD office.

Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans with DD-214 documentationMCA 61-5-108

Free State Park Entry

All Veterans

Montana does not charge entrance fees at most state parks, making them free for all residents. Disabled veterans may also receive reduced camping fees.

Eligibility: All Montana residents; disabled veterans for reduced camping feesMontana FWP policyApplies to dependents/surviving spouse
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Other Benefits

4 benefits

Free VA Claims Assistance

All Veterans

Montana Veterans Affairs Division provides free VA claims assistance through Veterans Service Officers located in counties across the state.

Eligibility: All veterans and their dependents seeking VA claims assistanceMontana DVA policyApplies to dependents/surviving spouse

Montana State Veterans Cemetery

All Veterans

The Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena provides free burial for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependents.

Eligibility: Eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependentsMontana DVA policyApplies to dependents/surviving spouse

Veterans Treatment Court

All Veterans

Specialized veterans treatment court programs are available in multiple Montana judicial districts for veterans involved in the criminal justice system.

Eligibility: Veterans involved in the criminal justice system in participating judicial districtsMontana Supreme Court policy

Paid Military Leave for State Employees

All Veterans

Montana state employees receive 15 days of paid military leave per year for military service obligations.

Eligibility: Montana state employees who are members of the military reserves or National GuardMCA 10-1-1009