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State Benefit·Mississippi·💼Employment

State Employment Preference

4 preference points for wartime veterans or 8 points for veterans rated 30%+ disabled or Purple Heart recipients.

Verified May 12, 2026againstmspb.ms.gov

At a glance

Benefit type
Employment — Mississippi
Who it's for
Veterans
VA rating needed
No rating requirement
Where it applies
Mississippi
Last verified
May 12, 2026

What is State Employment Preference?

State Employment Preference is a Mississippi employment benefit for veterans. 4 preference points for wartime veterans or 8 points for veterans rated 30%+ disabled or Purple Heart recipients.

Who qualifies

Veterans
  • Available to any veteran
  • Honorable discharge required
  • Mississippi residency

How to apply

Apply through the official Mississippi agency.

Open application

What State Employment Preference covers

Overview

Eligibility (not cumulative — applicants receive the higher of the two, per SB 2863, 2019):

- 4 points: Veterans with 90+ days active duty during war/armed conflict (or fewer days if discharged for service-connected injury), honorable discharge.

- 8 points: Veterans with a service-connected VA disability rating of 30% or greater, OR Purple Heart recipients.

Veterans are listed at top of eligible applicant lists (disabled veterans at the very top). Retention preference applies during layoffs.

Verified information & sources

Last verified: May 12, 2026

Official source: mspb.ms.gov

Compiled and fact-checked against the official source linked above. Benefit rules and dollar amounts change over time — always confirm current details at the official source before applying. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) is a free, accredited advocate who can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.

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Frequently asked questions about State Employment Preference

Who qualifies for State Employment Preference?▾
State Employment Preference is for Veterans; available to any veteran; mississippi residency. See the eligibility details on this page and confirm with the official source before applying.
How do I apply for State Employment Preference?▾
Apply through the official source linked on this page. A county Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can review your eligibility and help you file at no cost.
Where can I verify State Employment Preference?▾
Benefit rules and dollar amounts change, so always confirm current details at the official source linked on this page. A free, accredited county or state Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can also verify your eligibility and help you apply.

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