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Arkansas benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Arkansas source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) can help you apply for them at no cost.
How to read the labels:In effect confirmed on an official page. Not yet finalized announced or passed but not in force yet. Unverified — confirm with the agency we couldn't confirm it on an official page, so ask the agency.
Help from your state veterans office
County Veteran Service Officers in every county
In effect
ADVA works with a County Veteran Service Officer in every Arkansas county, who helps for free with federal, state and local benefit claims and appeals.
Who qualifies
Veterans, dependents and survivors.
Amount or details
Free.
How to apply
Use ADVA's "Find A Veteran Service Officer" map, or call (501) 683-2382.
Homestead and personal property tax exemption (100% P&T or SMC)
In effect
Veterans rated 100% permanent and total, or receiving Special Monthly Compensation for loss or loss of use of limbs or total blindness, pay no property tax on their homestead and personal property. Surviving spouses and dependent children may qualify, and eligibility is recertified every year.
Who qualifies
100% P&T or qualifying SMC; surviving spouses/dependent children.
“Full property tax exemption on the homestead and personal property of veterans rated 100% permanent and total, or receiving Special Monthly Compensation for loss or loss of use of limbs or total blindness.”
Military retired pay, VA disability and survivor annuities not taxed
In effect
Arkansas fully exempts military retired pay and active/reserve pay. VA disability compensation, military disability retirement, and SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP survivor annuities are not taxed.
Who qualifies
Recipients of military retired pay, VA disability, survivor annuities.
“No state gross receipts tax on specially adapted vehicles or equipment purchased with VA assistance for a service-connected disability.”
Military and veteran license plates
In effect
Arkansas offers 19 military and veteran specialty plates, including a Disabled Veteran plate, a Purple Heart plate, a free first Medal of Honor plate and a free Gold Star Family plate.
Who qualifies
Varies by plate.
Amount or details
Disabled Veteran plate under Ark. Code § 27-24-203.
How to apply
Request at an Arkansas revenue office. The Medal of Honor plate needs an ADVA certification letter first (501-683-2382).
“19 distinctive military and veteran specialty plates, including a free first Medal of Honor plate, Purple Heart plate, Disabled Veteran plate (Ark. Code § 27-24-203), and a free Gold Star Family plate.”
Spouses and children of veterans who were killed in action, MIA, POW or rated 100% P&T get tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board waived at Arkansas public colleges, after federal DEA is applied.
Who qualifies
Spouse/children of KIA, MIA, POW or 100% P&T veterans.
Amount or details
Tuition, mandatory fees and room and board waived.
How to apply
Apply in the ADHE scholarship system (sams.adhe.edu); 501-371-2000.
“Waives tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board at Arkansas public colleges for the spouse and children of Veterans who are KIA, MIA, POW, or rated 100% permanent and total disabled, after federal DEA is applied.”
In-state tuition; National Guard tuition waiver
In effect
Arkansas public colleges give in-state tuition to eligible nonresident veterans, service members and dependents. Arkansas National Guard members can get up to 120 credit hours waived.
Who qualifies
Eligible veterans, service members and dependents; Arkansas Guard members.
Amount or details
In-state rate; Guard waiver up to 120 credit hours.
How to apply
Ask the college admissions or registrar office; Guard members apply each semester with the Guard Education Office.
State hiring preference and Workforce Center priority
In effect
Veterans, some Guard/Reserve members and surviving spouses get 5 points added to passing scores; disabled veterans and certain spouses get 10. The preference applies to hiring, promotion and retention. Arkansas Workforce Centers give veterans priority of service.
Who qualifies
Veterans, disabled veterans, eligible Guard/Reserve, certain spouses.
Amount or details
5 or 10 points.
How to apply
Claim preference at arcareers.arkansas.gov; visit an Arkansas Workforce Center.
“5 points added to passing scores for veterans, eligible Guard/Reserve members, and surviving spouses; 10 points for disabled veterans and certain spouses.”
ADVA's Child Services Division helps eligible children of honorably discharged Arkansas veterans who died or are incapacitated (rated 30%+) with basic living expenses. One application is allowed per fiscal year, and each is decided on need.
Who qualifies
Children of deceased or 30%+ rated honorably discharged Arkansas veterans.
Amount or details
Need-based; one application per fiscal year (July 1–June 30).
How to apply
Apply through a County VSO, email adva.childwelfare@arkansas.gov, or call 501-526-9205.
“Assists eligible children of honorably discharged Arkansas veterans who are deceased or medically incapacitated (rated 30% or greater) with basic living expenses.”
Lifetime hunting/fishing licenses for disabled veterans and retirees
In effect
Resident veterans rated 100% P&T can buy lifetime fishing or hunting licenses for $1.50 each, or a combination license for $3.00. Veterans rated 70%+ (or 50%+ with a Purple Heart) can buy a $52.50 lifetime combination license, and retirees 60+ get discounted lifetime licenses.
Who qualifies
Arkansas resident veterans meeting the rating, Purple Heart or retiree criteria.
Amount or details
$1.50 / $1.50 / $3.00 (100% P&T); $52.50 combo (70%+ or 50%+ with PH).
How to apply
Apply by mail to AGFC, 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205; 833-345-0325.
Arkansas State Veterans Cemeteries (North Little Rock and Birdeye)
In effect
ADVA runs two state veterans cemeteries with free burial for veterans, including the grave, opening and closing, a federal headstone or niche cover, and perpetual care. Dependents pay an $807 fee.
Free veterans legal clinic (UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law)
In effect
The Arkansas Veterans Legal Services Clinic helps with VA disability appeals and discharge upgrades and offers pro bono referrals. It may pause new intake when demand is high.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Arkansas source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) about anything here.
Details come from ADVA's consolidated State Benefits page. DFA, AGFC and Arkansas State Parks pages were not reviewed to cross-check amounts.
No 2026–2027 pending Arkansas veteran legislation was checked (the next regular session is 2027).
This state page was last reviewed against official sources on November 1, 2026. Our watcher re-checks those pages automatically and flags any item whose quoted wording disappears.