An estimated 594,535 veterans live in Ohio, making up 6.5% of the state's population or the 32nd-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Ohio 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 for residents stationed outside Ohio.
Ohio Veteran Property Taxes
Veterans rated by the federal Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as 100% disabled due to a service-connected disability, along with surviving spouses who occupy the same home, are eligible for an expanded homestead exemption. The rate varies by location.
Ohio Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
The Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program pays 100% of tuition at state institutions.
GI Promise deems qualified veterans to be Ohio residents for the purpose of qualifying for in-state tuition rates.
Military Dependent Education
The War Orphans Scholarship provides tuition assistance at a state institution to a full-time resident undergraduate student under the age of 25.
The Safety Officers College Memorial Fund provides a child of a U.S. military member killed in the line of duty during Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom a waiver of tuition and student fees.
Resident spouses of resident service members killed in the line of duty while serving in a combat zone after May 7, 1975, receive free tuition and student fees for up to four years of undergraduate education.
Ohio Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
State preference: Veterans are entitled to 20% added credit on an Ohio civil service exam. Current reserve and National Guard members who successfully complete initial entry-level training receive a 15% added credit.
Job-search help: Veterans may receive free individual job-search assistance from a state employment specialist and assistance from their local employment center in resume writing, interview techniques and more.
Teaching license: The Ohio Department of Education has eliminated fees for educator licenses for any initial, or a renewal of an, Ohio educator license, permit or certificate for veterans or current active-duty members free of charge. Spouses of active-duty service members also may receive a license free of charge.
Military Spouse Employment
The spouses of veterans may receive assistance from their local employment center in resume writing, interview techniques and more.
Also see "Teaching license."
Ohio Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Ohio's two veterans homes are in Georgetown and Sandusky. Honorably discharged resident wartime veterans who are disabled and unable to earn a living are eligible for admission. Costs are based on income.
The Domiciliary at the Ohio Veterans Home Sandusky is for veterans who need some medical care or supervision but can live independently.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
Ohio Veteran Financial Assistance
Each of the state's 88 counties operates a County Veterans Service Office that provides direct financial assistance to needy veterans upon receipt of a completed application.
The Military Injury Relief Fund grants up to three tax-exempt payments to service members injured on active duty after Oct. 7, 2001, and to individuals diagnosed with post-traumatic stress while serving after Oct. 7, 2001.
Ohio Veteran Legal Assistance
The Ohio Military/Veterans Legal Assistance Project connects low-income veterans and some active-duty personnel with lawyers willing to represent them for free in matters of evictions, credit-card debt, employment, and uncontested divorces and dissolutions.
Ohio Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Resident permanently and totally disabled veterans and former POWs may receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
Active-duty residents don't have to buy a hunting license, fishing license, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp or fur taker permit while on leave.
Nonresident active-duty members stationed in Ohio can buy a hunting license, fishing license, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp or fur taker permit for the resident rate.
Parks/Camping
Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, along with Medal of Honor recipients, camp free in state parks.
Active military members and veterans may receive a 10% discount for one campsite, getaway rental unit, cottage or lodge room per visit.
Ohio Veteran Transportation Benefits
Permanently and totally disabled Ohio resident veterans, Congressional Medal of Honor recipients and former POWs receive free registration of personal watercraft.
Ohio Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
The Ohio Veterans Home Cemetery is in Sandusky. Veterans residing in the Ohio Veterans Home may request burial in the cemetery.
More Information
Visit the Ohio Department of Veterans Services website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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