An estimated 43,053 veterans live in North Dakota, making up 7.2% of the state's population or the 20th-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
North Dakota Military and Veteran Income Taxes
Military Retiree Income Tax
Military retirement and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are tax free.
Active-Duty Income Tax
Active-duty pay is tax free.
North Dakota Veteran Property Taxes
Honorably discharged veterans with a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability of at least 50% may receive a property tax credit equal to the disability percentage on the first $9,000 of property value.
Unremarried surviving spouses are also eligible; and spouses receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation from the federal VA receive the full benefit.
North Dakota Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
National Guard members receive a 25% tuition waiver at state schools.
Veterans are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of residency status.
Veterans Educational Training is a free college-prep program by the state that provides refresher training, as well as training in English, computers, math and study skills, to prepare veterans for a certification program or a two- or four-year college degree.
Military Dependent Education
Children of service members who were KIA, MIA or POW, or who died or became 100% disabled from service-connected causes, receive free tuition and fees to a state institution for a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion.
Dependents of veterans and military members are eligible for in-state tuition, regardless of residency status.
North Dakota Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Veterans receive preference for state employment. Veterans generally receive a 5-point preference, and disabled veterans receive a 10-point preference.
Military Spouse Employment
Military spouses relocating to the state receive temporary and expedited professional licensing.
North Dakota Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
North Dakota's one veterans home is in Lisbon. Honorably discharged resident veterans and their spouses are eligible for admission. Costs are based on income.
Homeless Veterans
No state-provided benefits specific to veterans.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
North Dakota Veteran Financial Assistance
The Hardship Assistance Grant assists veterans, spouses and unremarried surviving spouses in emergency need of dental work, glasses, hearing aids, transportation for medical treatment or other needs approved by the commissioner of Veterans Affairs.
The Veterans Aid Fund provides loans of up to $5,000 to veterans and unremarried surviving spouses of veterans.
Veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder may receive a grant for a service dog with a doctor's recommendation.
North Dakota Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
North Dakota Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident 100% disabled veterans may receive a combined general game, habitat stamp, small game and fur-bearer hunting license for $3. Resident disabled veterans with a 50% service-connected VA disability rating pay $5 for a fishing license. For each license, veterans must also buy a $1 resident certificate.
North Dakota residents on active duty may hunt and fish without a license while on leave.
Parks/Camping
North Dakota veterans with a 50% or greater VA disability and former POWs may receive a free annual permit.
All other North Dakota veterans with service-related disabilities may receive an annual permit for $28.
North Dakota Veteran Transportation Benefits
No state-funded transportation benefit. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers van rides to VA medical centers in many states and may be available in the states without a state-funded transportation benefit.
North Dakota Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
North Dakota's one veterans cemetery is near Mandan. Veterans and their spouses are eligible for burial. There is no charge for the veteran. A small fee is charged for the spouse. Veterans don't have to be North Dakota residents.
More Information
Visit the North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs website for more information about any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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