State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Indiana

Indiana offers property tax relief for totally disabled veterans, military retirement income deductions, education benefits, and discounted recreation licenses. County veterans service offices help veterans find benefits and claims assistance.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Indiana

Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs

Supports Indiana's veteran community and advocates for veterans.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 317.232.3910

Free help with VA claims

Use the state's county veterans service officer directory to find local benefits assistance. VA-accredited VSO representatives provide free help with VA benefit claims.

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

Totally disabled veteran principal-residence deduction

Who qualifies
Veterans who served at least 90 days, received an honorable discharge, and have a total disability. The veteran must own and use the property as a principal residence and must have lived in Indiana for at least one year before the assessment date.
What you get
Deducts 100% of the assessed value of the qualifying real-property principal residence for the 2026 assessment, payable in 2027.
How to apply
Apply to the county auditor by January 15 of the year taxes are first due and payable. A new application is needed to receive the amended 100% deduction for 2026 pay 2027.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 6-1.1-12-14; IC 6-1.1-12-15; HEA 1210-2026

Sources (7)

State income tax

Military retirement pay: Exempt

Military retirement income and survivor benefits deduction

Who qualifies
Taxpayers reporting military retirement income or military survivor benefits.
What you get
Indiana allows a deduction of the entire amount of military retirement income and military survivor benefits.
How to apply
Claim the deduction on the Indiana income tax return and enclose the military withholding or retirement survivor benefits statements.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 6-3-2-4

Sources (2)

Education and tuition

Children of Disabled Veterans Tuition and Fee Exemption

Who qualifies
This limited entry covers biological children, or children adopted before age 18, of veterans with VA-determined service-connected death or disability. Students must first apply before age 33, qualify for resident tuition, and meet institutional satisfactory academic progress requirements. Additional veteran service, discharge and Indiana residence requirements apply; the linked program must confirm those before determining eligibility.
What you get
Tuition and regularly assessed fee assistance for up to 124 semester hours at state institutions, capped at the undergraduate semester-hour rate. Assistance can be partial; consult the program page for the percentage based on the veteran parent’s service-entry date and disability rating. The use period is eight academic years.
How to apply
File FAFSA and apply through ScholarTrack for IDVA review.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 21-14-4-1; IC 21-14-4-2; IC 21-14-4-2.5

Sources (6)

Indiana Purple Heart Recipient Tuition and Fee Exemption

Who qualifies
Veterans who entered active duty from a permanent Indiana home address, received a Purple Heart or were wounded by enemy action, and were discharged or separated other than dishonorably. Students must qualify for resident tuition at the institution. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress as determined by their institution.
What you get
Exempts eligible tuition and regularly assessed fees for up to 124 semester credit hours at state institutions, capped at the undergraduate semester-hour rate. Students have eight academic years to use the exemption.
How to apply
Apply for the Indiana Purple Heart exemption through ScholarTrack and complete FAFSA for each year the exemption is used.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 21-14-4-1; IC 21-14-4-2

Sources (6)

State jobs and hiring preference

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

Licenses, plates and parks

Disabled veteran hunting and fishing license

Who qualifies
Indiana residents who served in the armed forces and have a documented service-connected disability.
What you get
Base license fees are $2.75 for one year or $27.50 for ten years. Covers small-game hunting and fishing; stamps, deer, and turkey are excluded.
How to apply
Send State Form 50833 to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 14-22-12-1.5

Sources (4)

Disabled Hoosier Veteran entrance pass

Who qualifies
People eligible for a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate: veterans with service-related loss of sight or permanent impairment of both eyes qualifying for service-connected compensation; loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet; a VA-rated condition preventing walking without pain or difficulty; or a VA rating of at least 50% with service-related compensation and at least 60% of the rating attributable to mobility disability.
What you get
A $25 annual entrance pass, valid January 1 through December 31 of the year it is issued.
How to apply
Buy the pass online from the DNR or at a state park property.

Official page (opens in a new tab) IC 14-19-3-4; IC 9-18.5-5-1

Sources (2)

Veteran driver's license indicator

Who qualifies
Veterans whose discharge or separation from the U.S. armed forces was other than dishonorable.
What you get
Adds a veteran indicator to the driver's license. There is no indicator charge when added during a new issuance or renewal.
How to apply
Bring your DD-214 to a BMV branch.

Official page (opens in a new tab)

Sources (3)

Emergency financial help

We could not confirm this from an official source yet. Ask Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs 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 3, 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.