State veteran benefits

Veteran Benefits in Wyoming

Wyoming offers a veteran property-tax exemption, no state income tax, tuition programs, and a state veterans home in Buffalo. Qualifying disabled veterans can receive lifetime fishing and state-park benefits, and eligible veterans have public-employment preference.

Checked against official state sources on October 3, 2026.

Free help in Wyoming

Wyoming Veterans Commission

Helps Wyoming veterans and their families with benefits and claims.

Agency website (opens in a new tab) · Phone: 307-777-8152

Free help with VA claims

Use the state Veteran Service Officers directory for help with veterans benefits and 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.

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Property tax relief

Veteran's Property Tax Exemption

Who qualifies
Bona fide Wyoming residents for at least three years who meet a statutory veteran or survivor category. Main routes include a compensable service-connected disability certified by VA or a military branch; honorably discharged veterans with a qualifying foreign-conflict campaign medal; and qualifying wartime veterans. Unremarried surviving spouses of qualifying veterans are also covered. Real-property relief is for the principal residence.
What you get
For 2026, exempts $6,000 of assessed value annually. This reduces the taxable assessment; it is not a $6,000 payment or a universal full property-tax exemption.
How to apply
File a sworn claim with the county assessor by the fourth Monday in May. The standard 2026 filing date has passed; ask the assessor whether a statutory late-claim provision applies.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 39-13-105

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State income tax

Military retirement pay: No income tax

Wyoming has no state income tax, so military retirement is not subject to a Wyoming personal income tax.

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Education and tuition

Overseas combat and Vietnam veteran tuition benefit

Who qualifies
An overseas combat veteran must have lived in Wyoming for at least one year before active service, have an honorable discharge, and have a qualifying foreign-conflict service or campaign medal. The separate Vietnam route requires a Vietnam service medal earned during August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975, discharge other than dishonorable, and at least one year of Wyoming residency. The Vietnam route excludes current receipt of education benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944. Academic progress requirements apply.
What you get
Free tuition at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college for up to eight semesters within eight academic years after first use, subject to statutory exceptions.
How to apply
Enroll at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college and request the benefit through the institution.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 19-14-106

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Tuition benefit for combat veterans' surviving families

Who qualifies
Surviving spouses and dependents of qualifying overseas combat or Vietnam veterans who lived in Wyoming for at least one year before active service and died during active service. A child must have been under 22 when the parent or guardian died in overseas combat and must be under 22 when enrolling. Academic progress requirements apply.
What you get
Free tuition at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college for up to eight semesters within eight academic years after first use, subject to statutory exceptions.
How to apply
Enroll at the University of Wyoming or a Wyoming community college and request the survivor or dependent benefit.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 19-14-106(a)(iv), (f) through (k)

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Wyoming National Guard Educational Assistance Plan

Who qualifies
Active Wyoming Guard members in good standing who complete basic or officer training unless waived, meet satisfactory participation rules, declare an educational objective, and meet the academic standard. The first goal requires at least a six-year Guard commitment and a written two-year service commitment after final use, which can overlap. A cumulative 2.0 GPA is required unless waived.
What you get
Subject to appropriations, pays up to full resident tuition and mandatory fees for authorized courses at Wyoming public institutions. Failure to meet required service obligations can require repayment.
How to apply
Use the linked application portal. Application windows are December 1 to February 1 for spring, April 1 to June 1 for summer, and August 1 to October 1 for fall.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 19-9-501 through 19-9-504

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State jobs and hiring preference

Veteran interview preference in public employment

Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veterans who have been Wyoming residents for at least one year at any time before applying. Covered surviving spouses must have been married to the veteran at death and receive federal survivor benefits based on that service. The applicant must meet job qualifications; veterans already employed by a public department do not receive this preference.
What you get
Before interviews, qualifying veterans or survivors receive a 5% numerical advantage; veterans with a service-connected disability of at least 10% receive a 10% advantage. Comparable preference applies when numerical scoring is not used.
How to apply
Claim preference when applying for initial employment with a covered public department.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 19-14-102

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Licenses, plates and parks

Disabled veteran lifetime fishing license

Who qualifies
Resident disabled veterans receiving VA service-connected disability compensation at 50% or more. The ordinary resident-license rule requires one full year of Wyoming domicile before applying without claiming residency elsewhere, subject to statutory exceptions.
What you get
A lifetime fishing license with no license fee. Fishing seasons, locations, methods, and limits still apply.
How to apply
Apply to Wyoming Game and Fish with proof of residency, disability certification, and other required information.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 23-2-201(f); W.S. 23-1-107

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Resident disabled veteran lifetime state-park permit

Who qualifies
Wyoming resident veterans receiving VA service-connected disability compensation at 50% or more.
What you get
A no-cost lifetime permit waives statutory daily-use, overnight, and other covered permit fees for state parks, recreation areas, and archaeological and historic sites. It covers the holder and occupants of the holder's vehicle while Wyoming residency continues.
How to apply
Apply to the state parks department with residency proof and service-connected disability certification.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 36-4-121(n)

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Emergency financial help

Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund

Who qualifies
Serving military members and eligible immediate family, not all separated veterans. Covered routes include Wyoming Guard or Wyoming-based Reserve members called to active duty or active state service; Wyoming residents in out-of-state Reserve units called to active duty; and other Wyoming residents serving in the U.S. uniformed services. Guard dependent-care assistance is also authorized.
What you get
Last-resort assistance for financial hardship resulting from active duty or other required military duty, subject to the fund and eligibility rules. Available private or public assistance must be used first.
How to apply
Contact the Wyoming Military Department or Adjutant General's office for the current assistance application and eligibility review.

Official page (opens in a new tab) W.S. 19-7-401 through 19-7-403

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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.