Arkansas Veteran Benefits

All Veterans

Employment: The Arkansas Department of Workforce Services provides employment counseling and referral services tailored to the special needs of veterans. They also maintain an ongoing program of job development designed to create jobs and preferences for all veterans, through the Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVER's) and the Disabled Veterans Outreach program (DVOP).

Income Tax Exemption: Provides an exemption for active duty members of the Armed Forces of the first $9,000 of active service pay. (AR Code 26-51-306 et. seq.) Retired members are entitled to $6,000 exemption. (AR Code 26-51-307 et. seq.) These exemptions include Reserve and National Guard components who are residents of the State of Arkansas.

License Plates: The Arkansas Department of Finance & Administration Office of Motor Vehicle will provide (upon receipt of proper certification letters) a number of special privileges and benefits for Arkansas residents, including special license plates.

Arkansas State Veterans Home: The Arkansas State Veterans Home, located in Little Rock, provides a meaningful living environment for honorably discharged veterans. All living, dining, recreational and medical facilities necessary to provide a safe, high quality life style in a modern setting are provided. Residents also have access to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and Central Arkansas Healthcare System. The new Fayetteville Veterans Home provides a 55 bed domiciliary and a licensed 53 bed Medicaid/Medicare, skilled nursing floor.

Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery: The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery serves all honorably discharged veterans. The cemetery, situated on an 82-acre site, is located in North Little Rock at 1501 West Maryland Avenue. The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs operates the cemetery to commemorate the military service of our deceased veterans.

Family Members

Military Dependents Scholarship Program (MDS): The Program provides financial aid for undergraduate students seeking a bachelor's degree or certificate of completion at any public college, university or technical school in Arkansas who qualify as a spouse or dependent child* of an Arkansas resident who has been declared to be missing in action, killed in action, a prisoner of war, or killed on ordnance delivery, or a veteran who has been declared to be 100% totally and permanently disabled during, or as a result of, active military service.

Disabled Veterans

Homestead and Personal Property Tax Exemption: A disabled veteran, who has been awarded special monthly financial compensation by the Veteran's Administration (VA), is exempt from all state taxes on the homestead and personal property if: 1.) there is the loss of or the use of one or more limbs; 2.) total blindness in or both eyes; and 3.) the loss of service connected to one-hundred percent (100%) of a person's total and permanent disability. This exemption is extended to a veteran's unmarried surviving spouse and his or her minor children.

Gross Receipt of Tax Exemption: Gross receipts and gross proceeds derived from the sale of new automobiles to a veteran of the United States Armed Services who is blind as the result of a service connected injury shall be exempt from the Arkansas Gross Receipts Tax.

Camping in Arkansas: U.S. citizens with 100 percent total and permanent disability will be admitted to Arkansas State Park campgrounds at one-half the regular campsite fee throughout the year. Current written proof of 100 percent total and permanent disability is required.

3-Year Disability Hunting License: ($25) entitles all totally and permanently disabled persons privileges of the Resident Sportsman's License. Annual Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration is required to hunt migratory game birds. To hunt waterfowl, state and federal waterfowl stamps also are required. Disability certification from Social Security Administration, Veteran's Affairs or Railroad Retirement and proof of one year Arkansas residency is required.

3-Year Disability Fishing License: ($10.50) entitles all totally and permanently disabled persons privileges of the Resident Fisheries Conservation License. A trout permit must also be purchased to retain trout or to fish in certain waters. Certification will be accepted from Social Security, Veteran's Affairs or Railroad Retirement. Proof of one year Arkansas residency is required.