State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Idaho

Idaho offers property-tax relief for veterans with qualifying disabilities and a partial military-pension deduction. Main programs also include military education assistance, state veterans homes, recreation benefits, and public-employment preference.

Checked against official state sources on October 2, 2026.

Free help in Idaho

Idaho Division of Veterans Services

Helps veterans, family members, and survivors obtain assistance.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 208-780-1300

Free help with VA claims

Use the Office of Veterans Advocacy service-officer directory for help with benefits.

Find a local office (opens in a new tab)

Not sure what applies to you?

Answer seven questions and the Benefits Finder builds a checklist of federal and state benefits, deadlines and free help.

Open the Benefits Finder

Property tax relief

Property Tax Benefit for Disabled Veterans

Who qualifies
Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability, or 100% compensation for individual unemployability, as of January 1, 2027, who owned and lived in their Idaho primary residence before April 15, 2027. The property must have a current homeowner's exemption.
What you get
Reduces property tax on the home and up to one acre of land by as much as $1,500.
How to apply
Apply online or with the county assessor between January 1 and April 15, 2027. Veterans with a permanent and total disability don't need to reapply each year.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Partly exempt

Military retirement benefits deduction

Who qualifies
Retired service members who are disabled, age 62 or older, or under age 62 with employment income sufficient to require a federal return.
What you get
A limited pension deduction. The allowable ceiling and calculation depend on the tax year; this is not a full exemption.
How to apply
Resident filers claim qualifying subtractions using Form 39R with Form 40.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (4)

Education and tuition

Armed Forces and Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship

Who qualifies
Idaho resident dependents of fallen or permanently disabled members of the armed forces, subject to the program's detailed requirements.
What you get
Tuition and fee waiver, campus housing and subsistence, and up to $750 per semester for books, as published in 2026.
How to apply
Complete the Idaho general scholarship application by the deadline: July 1 for fall, December 1 for spring and April 15 for summer.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

State jobs and hiring preference

Veterans' preference for state employment

Who qualifies
Qualifying veterans and unremarried surviving spouses. Disabled veterans and certain spouses or survivors qualify for the higher preference.
What you get
Five points for qualifying veterans and surviving spouses; ten points for qualifying disabled veterans and specified spouses or survivors. Points cannot create a passing score.
How to apply
Check the current job announcement for the documents to submit.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IDAPA 15.04.01.093

Sources (2)

Licenses, plates and parks

Resident disabled veteran hunting and fishing license

Who qualifies
Resident disabled veterans with a VA service-connected disability rating of 40% or greater.
What you get
A resident DAV license costs $5, as published in 2026. Qualifying tags have separate reduced charges.
How to apply
Provide a copy of the official VA disability-percentage letter.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Idaho State Parks Veteran Pass

Who qualifies
Idaho resident veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability.
What you get
Free park entrance and one free campsite per stay. Transaction fees still apply.
How to apply
Apply with the Idaho Disabled Veterans application on the state parks camping page, with a VA letter showing your 100% permanent and total rating. Processing can take up to 90 days, and you need the card in hand before the discount applies.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (2)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Idaho Division of Veterans Services or a free veterans service officer what applies to you.

State veterans homes

Before you apply

This page summarizes state law and agency guidance as checked on October 2, 2026. It is general information, not legal or tax advice. Eligibility depends on your records, and laws change, so confirm the details on the official page linked with each benefit, or ask a free accredited representative. This page covers the main state programs. Your county veterans service officer can tell you about smaller or local benefits.

Federal VA benefits apply in every state. See the Veteran Resource Directory and the Benefits Finder.