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State·2026 Benefits·Updated May 2026

Montana Veteran Benefits

Montana offers 16 state veteran benefits in 2026 spanning tax, education, housing, healthcare, employment, and recreation. Programs include military retirement income partial deduction (Up to 50% of retirement income deduction), war orphan tuition waiver (Full tuition to bachelor's degree), veteran camping fee discount (50% off camping fees). Most require state residency and an honorable (or other-than-dishonorable) discharge; specific eligibility — including VA disability rating thresholds — varies by program.

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16
State benefits
9
Categories
Any
Min. rating
Statewide only
County programs

Categories

🏛️Tax Benefits(3)🏠Housing & Home Loans(1)🎓Education & Training(3)🏥Healthcare(1)💼Employment(1)💰Compensation(1)🚗Transportation(2)🌲Recreation & Parks(3)⚑Burial & Memorial(1)

2026 VA Disability Compensation Rates

Monthly payment amounts effective December 1, 2025. These federal rates apply to all Montana veterans.

RatingVeteran aloneWith spouse
10%$180.42$180.42
20%$356.66$356.66
30%$552.47$617.47
40%$795.84$882.84
50%$1,132.90$1,241.90
60%$1,435.02$1,566.02
70%$1,808.45$1,961.45
80%$2,102.15$2,277.15
90%$2,362.30$2,559.30
100%$3,938.58$4,158.17

Rates for 10-20% are the same regardless of dependents. Dependent additions apply at 30%+. View complete rate tables →

Frequently Asked Questions — Montana Veteran Benefits

What veteran benefits does Montana offer in 2026?▾
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.
What benefits are available to 100% disabled veterans in Montana?▾
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.
What state benefits do Montana veterans get at a 50% or higher VA rating?▾
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.
Does Montana have property tax exemptions for disabled veterans?▾
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.
What education benefits are available to Montana veterans and their dependents?▾
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.
Does Montana offer free disabled veteran license plates?▾
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.
Does Montana have free state park, hunting, or fishing access for veterans?▾
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.
How do I apply for Montana veteran benefits?▾
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.
Do Montana veteran benefits stack with federal VA benefits?▾
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.
Does Montana have a state veterans cemetery?▾
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.
What VA disability rating do I need for Montana veteran benefits?▾
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.

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