State benefits
Mississippi veterans are eligible for 7 state and federal benefit programs, including Healthcare, Employment, Tax, and more. Most state programs require state residency and a VA-issued disability rating; eligibility thresholds vary by program. This page lists every benefit with source URLs and application paths.
7 programs6 categoriesOfficial source linked on every program
Healthcare
Value: Subsidized skilled nursing care
Mississippi operates four state veterans homes in Collins, Jackson, Kosciusko, and Oxford providing skilled nursing care to eligible Mississippi veterans.
Note: Four facilities across the state. VA per diem offsets costs.
Employment
Value: Hiring preference for state employment
Mississippi grants veterans preference in state employment hiring. Veterans receive priority consideration for civil service positions, with disabled veterans receiving additional preference.
Note: Disabled veterans receive additional preference beyond standard veteran preference.
Tax
Value: Full property tax exemption
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating are exempt from ad valorem (property) taxes on their primary residence in Mississippi. Partial exemptions may apply to lower disability ratings.
Note: File with your county tax assessor. The exemption covers up to $7,500 of assessed value for 100% disabled veterans. Surviving spouses retain the benefit if they do not remarry.
Value: Full exemption on all military retirement income
Mississippi fully exempts all military retirement income from state income tax. This is one of the most generous military retiree tax benefits in the country, with no cap on the exemption amount.
Note: No cap on the exemption — all military retirement pay is fully exempt. Combined with MS's low cost of living, this makes Mississippi very attractive for military retirees.
Transportation
Value: $1 vehicle registration (saves $50+/year)
Mississippi veterans with a 100% service-connected disability can register their vehicle for just $1, one of the lowest vehicle registration fees in the nation.
Note: 100% disabled veterans only. $1 per vehicle tag. One of the lowest registration fees in the US.
Recreation
Value: Free hunting and fishing licenses (70%+)
Mississippi veterans with a 70% or greater service-connected disability receive free hunting and fishing licenses. Veterans with lower ratings receive discounted licenses.
Note: 70%+ disability gets free licenses. Lower ratings get discounted prices.
Other
Value: Free burial for veterans (saves $5,000–$10,000+)
Mississippi operates a state veterans cemetery in Newton providing burial at no cost for eligible veterans and their dependents.
Note: Located in Newton. Free for veterans and eligible dependents.
“File with your county tax assessor. The exemption covers up to $7,500 of assessed value for 100% disabled veterans. Surviving spouses retain the benefit if they do not remarry.”
Questions
Mississippi offers 7 veteran benefit programs spanning Healthcare, Employment, Tax, Transportation, Recreation, Other. Eligibility requirements vary by program — most require a VA-issued disability rating and state residency.
Many Mississippi benefit programs require a minimum VA disability rating — commonly 10%, 50%, or 100%. Some programs, such as education assistance or employment preference, have no rating requirement. Check each benefit listing on this page for the specific threshold.
Most Mississippi state benefits require current state residency. Some programs require continuous residency for one or more years. Federal VA benefits are available to all eligible veterans regardless of state of residence.
Yes — in most cases, state and federal veteran benefits are stackable. For example, a property tax exemption from Mississippi does not reduce your federal VA disability compensation. Some federal needs-based programs may offset certain state payments; review each program's terms.
Applications for Mississippi state benefits are typically submitted through the Mississippi Department of Veterans Affairs or the administering state agency. Application links are listed directly on each benefit card on this page. Federal VA benefits are applied for at VA.gov.
Yes — Mississippi has at least one property tax benefit listed for veterans. Eligibility typically requires a minimum disability rating and state residency. See the Tax section on this page for the current threshold and application link.
Most Mississippi state benefit programs require an honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge. Most federal VA benefits require a discharge under conditions other than dishonorable, but the GI Bill is stricter: the Montgomery GI Bill for active duty requires an honorable discharge, and the Post-9/11 GI Bill ordinarily does too. With an other-than-honorable discharge, VA makes a character-of-discharge determination, and some benefits may still be available; consult a VSO or accredited claims agent for individual eligibility.
Agency · Healthcare benefit source — Mississippi
Agency · Tax benefit source — Mississippi
Agency · Recreation benefit source — Mississippi
CFR · Federal regulations governing VA disability compensation and pension
Agency · Official U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs benefits portal
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