The state of Minnesota provides several veteran benefits. This page explains those benefits. Visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Services website for more information about any of these programs.
Minnesota Veterans Homes
Minnesota Veterans Homes are located in Fergus Falls, Hastings, Luverne, Minneapolis and Silver Bay.
There is also an Adult Day Center located in the Minneapolis Veterans Home. The Adult Day Center provides a broad array of therapeutic health care services – delivered by trained, highly dedicated professionals.
Admission to Minnesota Veterans Homes is available to honorably discharged veterans who entered service from Minnesota, or are current residents who served at least 181 consecutive days on active duty.
The spouse of an eligible veteran who is at least 55 years old and meets residency requirements may also be eligible.
The applicant must also be able to demonstrate a medical or clinical need for admission. Residents contribute to the cost of their care according to their means.
Minnesota Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Taxes
Military pay, retirement pay and SBP payments are tax-free.
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Exemption
Disabled veterans with a 70% or greater VA disability may qualify for a reduction in the assessed value of their home. The reduction varies depending on the amount of disability. Some surviving spouses may also qualify.
Short Term Financial Assistance
The subsistence program provides temporary financial assistance with housing, utility, insurance and other expenses.
The benefit is income and asset based, and is designed to assist veterans for up to six months for those who are unable to work due to a temporary disability, or who are permanently disabled and are waiting to receive federal government benefits.
Surviving spouses may also be eligible for this benefit without a temporary disability if they apply within the first 12 months of their spouse’s death.
Special Needs Grant
Provides one-time financial assistance to a veteran or surviving spouse to assist in financial stability and prevent homelessness. Grants may be awarded to provide such things as housing costs and repairs, medical expenses, auto repairs etc.
Dental and Vision Care
Minnesota veterans are eligible for up to $1,000 of free dental care annually, however this may be increased in certain situations.
Minnesota veterans are also eligible for up to $400 of free vision care annually.
These benefits are income-based.
Minnesota Veteran Employment Benefits
MN Veterans Preference Act
MN Veterans Preference Act (VPA) grants veterans a limited preference over non-veterans in hiring and promotion for MN public employment and also provides protection against unfair dismissals and demotions. VPA grants veterans the right to a hearing, prior to dismissal.
Minnesota Veteran Education Benefits
Minnesota GI Bill
The Minnesota GI Bill is available to
- Minnesota veterans who served honorably in any branch of the military at any time
- non-veterans who served honorably for a cumulative total of five years or more as a member of the MN National Guard or any other active or reserve component and had active service after Sep. 11, 2001
- eligible spouses, surviving spouses, and children of permanently and totally disabled veterans who are eligible for the Federal GI Bill.
Full-time undergraduate or graduate students may be eligible to receive up to $1,000 per semester and part-time students can receive up to $500 per semester (up to $3,000 per academic year and $10,000 per lifetime).
OJT and Apprenticeship individuals are eligible for up to $2,000 per fiscal year for either program. Approved employers are eligible to receive $1,000 placement credit payable upon hiring a person under this program and another $1,000 after 12 consecutive months of employment.
Recipients must be a Minnesota resident under the age of 62, and enrolled at a Minnesota institution.
Surviving Spouse & Dependent Education Benefit
The Surviving Spouse and Dependent Education benefit is for spouses and dependents, including adopted and step-children, whose veteran spouse and/or veteran parent died while on active duty, or as a result of a service-connected condition.
The veteran must have been a resident of Minnesota when they entered the military, or have been a resident of Minnesota for at least six months prior to passing away due to a service connected disability.
Applicants must be Minnesota residents and the spouse cannot be remarried. There is no age limitation for eligible survivors.
Surviving spouses and dependents can get a bachelor’s degree without paying tuition. They also get $750 per year for fees, books and supplies, and/or room and board.
The benefit is available at MN state schools or private schools in the state.
Minnesota Veteran Recreation Benefits
The hunting and fishing benefits to active duty members and veterans are very generous, but specialized licenses such as bear, deer, waterfowl, etc. may require fees not listed here. Always check the current MN DNR regulations before hunting or fishing.
Minnesota State Park Vehicle Permits
All active duty personnel and disabled veterans get free admission to Minnesota state parks. You do not have to be a Minnesota resident to qualify.
Active Duty Hunting & Fishing Licenses
Nonresidents stationed in Minnesota can get hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Minnesota residents home on leave can hunt & fish for free.
Resident Disabled Veterans Hunting & Fishing License
Minnesota 100% disabled veterans get a free lifetime fishing license and a free annual hunting license.
Firearms Safety Training
Anyone who has successfully completed military basic training may be exempt from the Field Day components of the Hunter Firearms Safety course.
Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery
Minnesota has three state veterans cemeteries in Duluth, Little Falls and Preston. Burial is open to all veterans with an other-than-dishonorable discharge.
Veterans are interred free of charge, dependents may pay a small fee.
Visit the Minnesota Department of Veterans Services website for more information about any of these programs.
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