KY Veterans Benefits and Resources

We all have a responsibility to take care of our fellow Americans who served our country in the armed forces. Below, please find a list of resources and benefits available to Kentucky Veterans.

In Solidarity.

Summary of Kentucky Military and Veterans Benefits: Kentucky offers special benefits for Service members, Veterans and their Families including state tax exemptions, state employment preference, education and tuition assistance, vehicle tags, as well as hunting and fishing license privileges. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component and Veteran disability status.

24/7, confidential crisis support for Veterans and their loved ones: Veterans Crisis Line

NVLSP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has worked since 1981 to ensure that the government delivers to our nation's 22 million veterans and active duty personnel the benefits to which they are entitled. NVLSP - National Veterans Legal Services Program

Substance abuse mental health treatment

VA mental health services. Find out how to access U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' services for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), psychological effects of military sexual trauma (MST), depression, grief, anxiety, and other needs. Visit

VA Mental Health Services I  Veterans Affairs

Substance use treatment for Veterans. If you're struggling with substance use problems, you're not alone. We're here to help. Find out how to get support for substance use problems through VA. Visit

Substance Use Treatment For Veterans  I Veterans Affairs (va.gov)

Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Field Representatives (VBFRs): The Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs, has trained VBFRs located at Field Offices throughout Kentucky to assist Veterans, retired Service members and their Families find and apply for Veterans benefits under federal, state and local laws. All their services are provided free of charge.

Kentucky Dependent Tuition Waiver: Kentucky offers a tuition waiver to the Spouse and Children of certain Veterans. Students can receive a waiver of tuition at any two-year, four-year or vocational technical school that are operated and funded by the Kentucky Department of Education Kentucky.

Kentucky High School Diploma Program for Veterans of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War: Kentucky school districts will issue high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school before graduating to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II (WWII), the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

Kentucky Veterans Cemeteries: Kentucky has five State Veterans Cemeteries that offer a dignified final resting place to Kentucky Veterans and their eligible Family members.

Kentucky Homeless Veterans Program: The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs has a Homeless Veterans Program that can provides assistance to those at imminent risk of homelessness by connecting them to resources across the state.

Kentucky Women Veterans Program: The mission of the Kentucky Women Veterans Program is to ensure that Kentucky's women Veterans have equal access to federal and state Veterans' services and benefits.

Rehiring of Kentucky Public Employees to a Position after Military Service: Kentucky public employees who leave their position to voluntarily or involuntarily serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and receives an honorable discharge must be rehired to their former position, or a position of equal seniority, status, pay and any other rights or benefits.

Kentucky Unemployment Insurance (UI): The Kentucky UI program provides temporary financial assistance for workers who are unemployed through no fault of their own. UI is a partial, short-term replacement of lost wages while workers are seeking other work and is not intended to be a permanent source of income. Benefits are not based on financial need.

Kentucky Career Center, Veterans Services: Kentucky Career Centers have staff who are specifically trained to assist Veterans and Service members who are leaving the U.S. Armed Forces find suitable and sustainable civilian employment.

Federal Employment Veteran's Hiring Preferences: By Federal law, Veterans who are disabled or who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during certain specified time periods or in military campaigns are entitled to preference over non-Veterans in hiring into the Federal civil service and in retention during reduction in force. Veterans may be entitled to 5 or 10 points included in any scoring process for examination or interviews.

Kentucky State Employment Veterans' Preference: Kentucky offers Veterans' Preference by granting interview preference to Veterans and their eligible Family members who are applying for state and local government competitive classified positions.

Kentucky Retirement Credit Computed for Military Service: Former Service members and reserve component Service members who are state or local government employees and participate in a Kentucky retirement pension program can purchase service credit for their time they served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Kentucky Veterans Centers: Kentucky has four long-term nursing facilities to care for Kentucky Veterans. Each home has compassionate and professional staff who are committed to providing thoughtful, quality care.

Kentucky State Park Benefits for Veterans, Active Duty Service Members and Former Prisoners of War (POWs): Kentucky State Parks offer several benefits for Service members and Veterans.

Veteran Designation on Kentucky Driver's Licenses and ID Cards: Kentucky offers a Veteran designation on Kentucky driver's licenses and ID Cards to honorably discharged Veterans. Veterans must apply at the nearest Kentucky Driver Licensing Regional Office. Veterans are required to provide a copy of one of the following documents as proof of eligibility:

Kentucky Military and Veteran License Plates: Kentucky offers 28 license plate designs for motor vehicles and motorcycles to honor the service and sacrifice of eligible Service members, Veterans, retired Service members and their Family members.

Kentucky Disabled Veteran License Plate (No Fee): The Kentucky Disabled Veteran license plate (no fee) is available to honorably discharged Veterans who have a service-connected disability rating from the VA of 100% or received VA funds to purchase or modify a vehicle to accommodate their disability.

Kentucky Purple Heart License Plate: Veterans and Service members who are Purple Heart recipients are eligible for the Kentucky Purple Heart license plate. Current Service members must show a copy of their military ID card and official documentation as proof they were awarded the Purple Heart. Veterans must provide official documentation that they received an honorable discharge and were awarded the Purple Heart.

Kentucky Gold Star License Plates: Kentucky Gold Star License plates are available to immediate Family members of a Service member who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Kentucky Resident Service Members Driver's Licensing Information? The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet offers the following driver's licensing options for resident Service members:

Kentucky Sportsman's License for Disabled Veterans: Kentucky resident disabled Veterans who have a 50% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA are eligible for a three year Disabled Sportsman's License. This license costs $12 and includes Combination Hunting and Fishing Licenses, all Deer Permits, Spring Turkey Permit, Resident Fall Turkey Permit, Kentucky Migratory Bird/Waterfowl Permit and Trout Permit.

Kentucky Income Tax Exemption for Military Pay: All military pay received for service in the U.S. Armed Forces is exempt from Kentucky income tax.

Kentucky Military Retired Pay Income Taxes: The military retired pay of Service members who retired before January 1, 1998, is completely exempt From Kentucky income taxes. Service members who retired from the U.S. Armed Forces after December 31, 1997, may exclude up to $31,110 of their military retired pay from Kentucky income taxes.

Kentucky State Taxes on Military Disability Retirement Pay: Military Disability Retirement Pay received as a pension, annuity or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income.

Kentucky Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans: Kentucky homeowners who are least 65 years of age or who are totally disabled are eligible to receive a homestead exemption from Kentucky property taxes.