An estimated 143,722 veterans live in Kansas, making up 6.4% of the state's population or the 33rd-highest of the 56 U.S. states, inhabited territories and District of Columbia.
Kansas 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 follows federal tax rules, but recruitment and retention bonuses, money received to repay student loans, and death benefits may be subtracted from the adjusted gross income.
Kansas Veteran Property Taxes
Some disabled resident veterans may claim a homestead refund for a portion of their real estate taxes.
Veterans must be honorably discharged and have at least a 50% service-connected permanent disability. Unremarried surviving spouses are also eligible.
Veterans or surviving spouses may receive a refund if their homestead's appraised value is $350,000 or less and their annual income is $56,450 or less. The income calculation doesn't include Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) disability, railroad retirement or Social Security disability payments.
Kansas Military and Veteran Education Benefits
Military/Veteran Education
State Guard members receive a tuition waiver through the Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance program that may cover all or a portion of tuition up to the full-time, in-state rate at a state institution. The state divides available funds among eligible users.
Veterans receive in-state tuition but must sign an intent to reside in the state during schooling.
The Kansas Military Service Scholarship provides tuition and fees at a state institution for undergraduate resident veterans who served at least 90 days in a hostile-fire pay location after Sept. 11, 2001; or received a Purple Heart and other-than-dishonorable discharge. Financial need is a factor, so applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Military Dependent Education
The Kansas Hero's Scholarship provides dependents of veterans who were KIA, MIA or a POW or who have a permanent disability free tuition and fees for up to 10 semesters of instruction at state institutions. Funds are limited, so scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
Veterans' dependents receive in-state tuition but must sign an intent to reside in the state during schooling.
Kansas Military and Veteran Employment Benefits
Veteran Hiring Preference
Eligible veterans with a campaign medal, a service-connected disability or who retired as an O-3 or below, or the spouse of a 100% disabled veteran, may receive preference for a state job, including preference for employment and promotional opportunities as well as a higher retention standing in case of layoffs. Eligible veterans and spouses receive an interview and consideration for a position for which they apply.
Military Spouse Employment
Eligible veterans' spouses receive the same hiring preference as the veterans.
Kansas Veteran Housing and Veterans Homes
Veterans Homes
Kansas' three veterans homes are in Fort Dodge, Winfield and Topeka. Applicants must have received an other-than-dishonorable discharge and be either disabled, indigent or willing to pay for care. Spouses may accompany veterans on a space-available basis. Out-of-state veterans may be admitted on a space-available basis.
Homeless Veterans
No state benefits.
Adapted Housing
No state benefits.
Kansas Veteran Financial Assistance
No personal grant or loan programs.
Kansas Veteran Legal Assistance
No state-funded legal services.
Kansas Military and Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting/Fishing
Depending on the availability of state funding, veterans with at least a 30% service-connected disability and other-than-dishonorable discharge receive free hunting and fishing licenses.
Parks/Camping
State Guard members and veterans with a 30% or greater disability receive discounted admission to state parks.
Kansas Veteran Transportation Benefits
No state-funded transportation benefits. Disabled American Veterans (DAV) offers van rides to VA medical centers in many states and may be available in the states without a state-funded transportation benefit.
Kansas Veteran Burial Benefits
Veterans Cemeteries
Kansas's four state veterans cemeteries are in Fort Dodge, Fort Riley, Wakeeney and Winfield. Veterans who received an other-than-dishonorable discharge, Guard and reserve members with at least 20 years of service, and those who die on active duty are eligible for burial.
Dependents are also eligible. There is no fee for veterans or their dependents, and there is no Kansas residency requirement.
More Information
Visit the Kansas Office of Veterans Services website for more information on any of these programs.
-- Additional reporting by Jim Absher.
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