Mississippi Veteran Benefits

Mississippi offers 12 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 4 tax programs, 3 education programs, 1 housing program, 1 healthcare program, 1 recreation program, and 1 employment program. 9 are available to any honorably discharged veteran regardless of rating; 2 are reserved for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA. These stack with federal VA benefits.

Mississippi offers 2 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Free Hunting & Fishing License (100% Disabled Veterans), Homestead Property Tax Exemption (100% Disabled). These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Mississippi veterans also qualify for the 10 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 12 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 10 Mississippi state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (9) plus benefits gated at 10-49% (0) plus 1 additional benefit gated at the 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% threshold. These typically include partial property tax credits, hunting/fishing license discounts, and tuition assistance. A 100% rating unlocks 2 additional benefits on top.

Yes. Mississippi offers 4 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Military Retirement Pay Tax Exemption: Military retired pay is fully exempt from Mississippi state income tax. Estimated value: Full retirement pay exemption. Whether Mississippi also exempts military retirement pay and VA disability compensation from state income tax varies by program — see the Tax Benefits section above for the full list.

Mississippi offers 3 state education benefits: In-State Tuition for Veterans; POW/MIA Children Scholarship; Mississippi National Guard State Educational Assistance Program (SEAP). Some are tuition waivers at state public universities; others are scholarships for surviving spouses and children of veterans who died in service or were rated permanently and totally disabled. These supplement (and in many cases stack with) the federal Post-9/11 GI Bill.

Mississippi's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Disabled Veteran License Plates ($1 Tags). Up to two motor vehicle plates for $1 each per year, exempt from all vehicle taxes, for veterans rated 70%+. Estimated value: $1/year per plate plus full ad valorem and privilege tax exemption. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Mississippi offers 1 recreation-related veteran benefit, including: Free Hunting & Fishing License (100% Disabled Veterans). Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Mississippi residency.

Each Mississippi state benefit has its own application — there is no single application that covers them all. Most require: (1) DD-214 or equivalent discharge document, (2) proof of Mississippi residency, and (3) VA disability rating letter if the benefit is rating-gated. Use the application URL listed on each benefit's detail page on this site. For complex cases (claims appeals, dependent benefits), contact your county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) for free assistance.

Yes. Mississippi state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Mississippi veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Mississippi state programs they qualify for. Some specific overlaps (e.g., state tuition assistance) may require exhausting federal GI Bill benefits first; check each benefit's eligibility notes.

Mississippi benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 9 benefits require no disability rating (available to any honorably discharged veteran). 0 are gated at 10-40%. 1 are gated at 50-90%. 2 require a 100% rating. Veterans rated 100% qualify for ALL 12 Mississippi state benefits.