Montana Veteran Benefits

Montana offers 16 state-level veteran benefits in 2026, spanning 3 tax programs, 3 education programs, 1 housing program, 1 healthcare program, 3 recreation programs, and 1 employment program. 13 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.

Montana offers 2 state benefits specifically for veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA, including: Disabled Veteran Property Tax Reduction, Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver (100% Disabled). These typically include enhanced property tax exemptions, free hunting/fishing licenses, free state park access, and registration fee waivers. 100% disabled Montana veterans also qualify for the 14 broader benefits available at lower rating thresholds — 16 total.

Veterans rated 50% or higher qualify for 14 Montana state benefits — every benefit available to any veteran (13) 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. Montana offers 3 tax-related benefits for veterans. The headline program is Active Duty Military Pay Tax Exemption: Active-duty military pay is exempt from Montana state income tax. Whether Montana 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.

Montana offers 3 state education benefits: Veteran Tuition Waiver (Montana University System); War Orphan Tuition Waiver; Surviving Spouse/Child of Guard Member Tuition Waiver. 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.

Montana's veteran license plate / registration benefit: Purple Heart (50%+) Vehicle Registration Fee Waiver. Vehicle registration fee waiver for up to 2 vehicles for Purple Heart recipients rated 50%+. Estimated value: Free registration for 2 vehicles. Apply through your local DMV / county tax assessor with your VA disability rating letter and DD-214.

Yes — Montana offers 3 recreation-related veteran benefits, including: Veteran Camping Fee Discount; Purple Heart Recipient Hunting & Fishing, and 1 more. Most state park, hunting, and fishing license discounts are tied to a minimum VA disability rating (typically 50% or 100%) and require Montana residency.

Each Montana 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 Montana 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. Montana state benefits are administered separately from federal VA benefits and the two are designed to stack. A Montana veteran can simultaneously receive federal VA disability compensation, VA healthcare, GI Bill education benefits, AND any Montana 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.

Yes. Montana State Veterans Cemeteries. Free burial including plot, opening/closing, headstone, and perpetual care at three state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility generally requires honorable discharge and Montana residency; some sites accept any veteran meeting federal VA national cemetery criteria. This is in addition to (not a substitute for) burial at a federal VA National Cemetery.

Montana benefits unlock at every VA rating tier. 13 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 16 Montana state benefits.