An estimated 56,038 veterans live in Alaska, making up 10.5% of the state's population or the highest overall of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Alaska Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
No state income tax.
Active-Duty Income Tax
No state income tax.
Alaska Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans with a disability of 50% or more don't pay taxes on the first $150,000 of assessed value of their home. The exemption transfers to the spouse if the veteran dies and the spouse is at least age 60.
Alaska Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The Alaska State Tuition Assistance Reimbursement Program for members of the state Guard and Naval Militia covers 100% of tuition and fees for trade and vocational school credentials, as well as undergraduate and graduate degrees from state institutions, for up to 36 credit hours per fiscal year.
Military Dependent Education
Spouses and dependents of resident service members who died in the line of duty or were POWs may receive a waiver of undergraduate tuition and fees at a state institution.
Alaska Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preferences
Preference points: Veterans who served on active duty or in a reserve component receive 5 preference points, and disabled veterans receive 10 points.
Retirement: Veterans who work for the state may be able to increase their state retirement benefit by buying in for an additional five years of service.
Driving: The Division of Motor Vehicles may waive the commercial motor vehicle driving test for certain drivers with recent military commercial motor vehicle experience.
See also "Military Spouse Employment."
Military Spouse Employment
The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development prioritizes veterans, eligible spouses and caregivers in seeking employment, apprenticeships and, in some cases, paid on-the-job training.
Alaska Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
The Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer provides assisted living. Seventy-five percent of the 79 beds are for veterans. Qualifying veterans receive a per diem from the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to help cover costs of their care.
Honorably separated veterans at least age 65, who require assisted living care, are eligible. They must have resided in Alaska for at least a year prior to applying.
Homeless Veterans
The state's Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program provides rental assistance to homeless veterans and their families in Alaska housing communities that have the Housing Choice Voucher program. The Alaska VA Healthcare System (AVAHS) must refer the families, who may apply at voucher program locations with an open waiting list.
Adapted Housing
No benefits.
Alaska Veteran Financial Assistance
Home loans: The Alaska Housing Finance Corp.'s Veterans Mortgage Program offers financing to veterans at low interest rates. Those on active duty may also qualify.
Interest rate reduction: Qualified veterans can receive an interest rate of a percentage point less on the first $50,000 of the loan amount. Income limits apply.
Land preference: Under the Veterans Land Sale Preference program, before offering to the general public any unoccupied residential land by auction, a veteran has the exclusive opportunity to purchase the land at a restricted sale at fair appraised market value.
Land discounts: The Veterans Land Discount program allows qualified veterans a 20% discount on the purchase price of state residential/recreational land. The discount may be used only once during the veteran's lifetime.
Alaska Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Alaska Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident hunting and fishing licenses are free to honorably discharged resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability, along with National Guard and reserve members. Recipients must complete an application annually.
Active-duty members stationed in Alaska and their dependents can get hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
Parks/Camping
Disabled veterans may receive one free, two-year Alaska state park camping pass for all developed Alaska state park campgrounds.
Alaska Military and Veteran Transportation Benefits
Railroad: The Alaska Railroad offers a 20% discount to active-duty troops, military retirees and dependents. Identification showing proof of status must be shown at boarding.
Marine travel: A reduced-fare pass is available for travel on Alaska Marine Highway System vessels for veterans having a service-connected disability. The pass entitles the veteran and an attendant (if required by a physician) to travel at half price. Reduced fare does not include vehicle or stateroom. The year-round pass is valid for travel between Alaskan ports.
Alaska Veteran Burial Benefits
Death Gratuity
The surviving spouse or personal representative of a qualified state veteran may receive a death gratuity of $750. The veteran must have received an honorable discharge.
More Information
Visit the Alaska state veterans affairs website for more details about any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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