Kansas offers a comprehensive suite of benefits to its veterans, including education support, housing assistance, employment benefits, recreational licenses, and special vehicle license plates.
Education Benefits
- Kansas Hero’s Scholarship: Available for dependents and spouses of deceased and disabled public safety officers and military personnel, covering tuition and required fees at eligible Kansas postsecondary institutions.
- Operation Recognition: Honors WWII and Korean War veterans who left high school for service by awarding them honorary high school diplomas.
Housing and Financial Benefits
- Veterans Homes: Kansas has veterans homes in Fort Dodge and Winfield, offering care for disabled, indigent veterans, or those able to pay for their care.
- Income Tax Benefits: Military retirement pay and SBP payments are exempt from state income tax.
- Homestead Act Refund: Disabled veterans can claim a refund for a portion of their real estate taxes.
Employment Benefits
- Hiring Preference: Veterans with campaign medals, a service-connected disability, or retired as an O-3 or below, as well as spouses of 100% disabled veterans, receive preference for state jobs.
Recreational Licenses and Discounts
- Free Hunting & Fishing Licenses: Available for National Guard Members and veterans with a 30% or greater disability.
- State Park Admission Discounts: Offered to Kansas Army and Air National Guard and disabled veterans.
Special Vehicle License Plates and Other DMV Benefits
- Motor Vehicle Tax Exemption: Kansas resident service members are exempt from motor vehicle tax on two vehicles.
- License Plates: Kansas has 20 license plate designs honoring service members, veterans, and family members, with special categories like Purple Heart and Disabled Veteran plates.
Health and Insurance Benefits
- Reimbursement of Health Insurance Premiums: For Kansas National Guard members ordered to State Active Duty for more than 30 days.
- State Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI): Available to Kansas National Guard Service members, offering several voluntary group life policies.