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Indiana benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Indiana source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) 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
Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs and County Veteran Service Officers
In effect
IDVA administers Indiana's state veteran benefits from the Indiana Veterans Center in Indianapolis. Every county has a County Veteran Service Officer who helps with VA and state claims at no cost.
Who qualifies
Veterans, service members, survivors and families.
Amount or details
IDVA: 777 N. Meridian St., Suite 300, Indianapolis; 317-232-3910.
How to apply
Contact IDVA or find your county's CVSO with the locator.
100% property tax deduction for totally disabled veterans
In effect
A veteran with a total disability can deduct 100% of the assessed value of their principal residence. Indiana's 2026 HEA 1210 replaced the old flat $14,000 deduction with this full deduction.
Who qualifies
At least 90 days of service, honorable discharge, total disability, and Indiana residency for at least one year before the assessment date.
Amount or details
100% of assessed value of the principal residence.
How to apply
File State Form 12662 with your county auditor; IDVA/your CVSO can help. Attach the VA disability award letter.
Partially disabled veterans can get an annual property tax credit: $350 for wartime veterans with a 10%+ service-connected rating, and $250 for veterans age 62+ with a 10%+ rating. These replaced the older assessed-value deductions.
Who qualifies
$350: wartime service, honorable discharge, 10%+ service-connected rating. $250: 90+ days of service, honorable discharge, age 62+, 10%+ rating. Certain surviving spouses qualify.
If a nonprofit gave a veteran a home at no charge, the veteran can deduct a share of the home's assessed value equal to their disability rating (50% to 100%).
Who qualifies
90+ days of service, honorable discharge, disability of at least 50%, home donated by a tax-exempt organization.
Amount or details
Deduction equals the disability percentage (50%-100%) of assessed value.
Since 2022, Indiana lets residents deduct all military retirement income and survivor's benefits. Space Force retirement pay is included from Jan. 1, 2025.
Who qualifies
Anyone reporting military retirement income or military survivor's benefits.
Amount or details
100% deduction (IT-40 Schedule 2/Schedule C deduction).
How to apply
Claim the Military Retirement Income and/or Survivor's Benefits deduction on your Indiana IT-40.
Hoosier Veteran and Disabled Hoosier Veteran license plates
In effect
Any honorably separated resident veteran can buy a Hoosier Veteran plate for $15. Veterans with qualifying service-connected disabilities (e.g., loss of use of feet/hands, or 50%+ rating) can get a Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate, which also serves as disability parking.
Who qualifies
Hoosier Veteran plate: honorable separation from active forces. Disabled plate: per IC 9-18.5-5-1, with a VA/military certificate.
Amount or details
Hoosier Veteran plate $15 (+$45 to personalize). Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate: per IDVA eligibility certificate.
How to apply
Take DD214 (and IDVA eligibility certificate for disabled plates) to a BMV branch.
“been rated by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs as being at least fifty percent (50%) disabled and is receiving service related compensation”
Tuition and Fee Exemption for children of disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients
In effect
Children of qualifying disabled Indiana veterans (and Purple Heart recipients and their children) can get up to 100% of tuition and regular fees for up to 124 credit hours at Indiana public colleges. Students who graduated high school in 2023 or later can use up to $5,000 a year at Indiana private nonprofit colleges.
Who qualifies
Children of Indiana wartime veterans with a service-connected disability rating, children of POW/MIA after 1/1/1960, children of Purple Heart recipients, Indiana Purple Heart recipients.
Amount or details
Up to 100% tuition/fees, 124 credit hours (public); up to $5,000/yr (private nonprofit, HS class of 2023+).
How to apply
Apply in ScholarTrack (Commission for Higher Education) and file the FAFSA each year.
Veterans get extra points when applying for state merit jobs or promotions. Indiana's Department of Workforce Development has dedicated veteran employment staff (DVOP/LVER).
Who qualifies
Veterans applying for state merit positions (IC 4-15-2-18).
Amount or details
Points added to scores; DVOP/LVER staff at WorkOne offices.
How to apply
Claim preference on state applications; visit a WorkOne/DWD office for job help.
Discounted DAV hunting/fishing license and Disabled Hoosier Veteran park pass
In effect
Indiana residents with a service-connected disability can buy a $2.75 annual hunting (small game) and fishing license, or a 10-year license for $27.50. Those eligible for the Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate can buy an annual state park pass for $25.
Who qualifies
Indiana resident veteran with a documented service-connected disability (or DoD disability retirement).
Amount or details
DAV license $2.75/yr or $27.50 for 10 years; stamps not included. Disabled Hoosier Veteran park pass $25/yr.
How to apply
Submit the DNR reduced-fee application with VA disability proof; after approval, buy online at GoOutdoorsIN.com.
“The license sells for $2.75 and covers the hunting of small game as well as fishing, excluding any stamps. You can buy a 10-year DAV license for $27.50.”
The state veterans' home offers long-term skilled nursing, short-term rehab, and memory care for honorably discharged Indiana veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged Indiana veterans and spouses; Gold Star parents.
Amount or details
West Lafayette, Indiana.
How to apply
Apply through the Indiana Veterans' Home admissions office.
“Located in West Lafayette, Indiana, the Indiana Veterans' Home (IVH) offers long-term skilled nursing care, short-term rehabilitation, and memory care services to honorably discharged Indiana veterans and their spouses.”
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Indiana source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) about anything here.
2026 HEA 1210 (100% deduction for totally disabled veterans): IDVA page reflects it, but the bill page (iga.in.gov) is JavaScript-only and could not be reviewed to confirm the exact first assessment/pay year.
Indiana BMV direct plate-fee pages were not found at guessed URLs; plate details sourced from IDVA's plate page.
Military Family Relief Fund grant caps are not stated on the IDVA eligibility page.
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.