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Kansas benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Kansas source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) 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
Kansas Office of Veterans Services
In effect
KOVS runs veteran services offices, two state veterans homes and four state veterans cemeteries, and publishes the State Veterans Benefits guide.
Kansas refunds part of the property tax on a homestead for veterans with a 50%+ permanent service-connected rating (or age 65+) and surviving spouses with income at or below the limit. The refund is the increase over the base-year tax.
Who qualifies
Honorable or general discharge; 65+ OR 50%+ permanent service-connected rating for the whole prior year; income of $58,041 or less (VA disability excluded).
Amount or details
Refund equal to the difference between current-year and base-year homestead property tax.
How to apply
File form K-40SVR with the Kansas Dept. of Revenue (Homestead WebFile available).
Military retirement and VA disability not taxed; extra exemption for 100% P&T
In effect
Kansas does not tax U.S. military retirement or VA disability pay. Veterans rated 100% permanent and total get an extra personal exemption ($2,320 for tax year 2025 and later).
Who qualifies
Military retirees; honorably discharged veterans receiving compensation at the 100% P&T rate for the extra exemption.
Amount or details
Full exclusion of military retirement; additional exemption $2,320 (TY2025+).
How to apply
Subtract retirement on the Kansas return; claim the extra exemption in the Exemption and Dependent section.
“(for Tax years 2025 and after exemption will be $2,320)”
NEW: Sales tax exemption for 100% disabled veterans (from July 1, 2026)
In effect
Starting July 1, 2026, veterans rated 100% P&T or TDIU (and surviving spouses until remarriage) are exempt from state and local sales tax on up to $24,000 of purchases per calendar year. Motor vehicles, alcohol, tobacco and purchases used to earn income are excluded.
Who qualifies
Honorable/general discharge; 100% service-connected permanent and total or TDIU; surviving spouse if the veteran died on or after July 1, 2026.
Amount or details
Up to $24,000 of exempt purchases per calendar year (K.S.A. 79-3606h). The state issues an exemption card.
How to apply
Apply online with KDOR and attach the VA Benefit Summary letter.
“Legislation passed in 2024 and enacted as K.S.A. 79-3606h creates a sales tax exemption beginning July 1, 2026 for disabled veterans who meet certain qualifications.”
Disabled Veteran plate (free registration) and parking privileges
In effect
Veterans with a 50%+ service-connected disability (or loss of use of hands, feet or sight) get a Disabled Veteran plate with no registration fee on the first vehicle. The plate allows free metered and disability-space parking.
Who qualifies
50%+ service-connected disability, or qualifying loss/loss of use.
Amount or details
No registration fee for the first plate; property tax still due.
How to apply
Apply at your county treasurer's tag office (see KDOR form TR-103).
Any veteran can ask the DMV to add 'VETERAN' to the front of a Kansas driver's license or ID card by providing a DD-214 showing honorable or general service.
Who qualifies
Veterans with honorable or general (under honorable conditions) discharge.
“Any person who is a Veteran may request that the DMV issue to such person a driver's license or non-driver identification card that shall include the designation "VETERAN"”
Kansas Military Service Scholarship, Hero's Scholarship and in-state tuition
In effect
The Military Service Scholarship pays tuition and fees at public Kansas schools for residents who served 90+ days in hostile-fire areas after 9/11. The Hero's Scholarship waives tuition for certain dependents and spouses of deceased or disabled service members. Veterans get resident tuition if stationed in Kansas 11+ months or residents before service.
Who qualifies
See each program; FAFSA required for the Military Service Scholarship.
Amount or details
Tuition and fees (Military Service Scholarship); tuition waiver (Hero's, KSA 75-4364, funding-limited).
How to apply
Apply through the Kansas Board of Regents (785-430-4300).
“The Kansas Military Service Scholarship is available for the payment of tuition and fees at a public Kansas institution for students who are a resident of Kansas and has:”
Veterans preference in state, county and city employment; disabled-veteran contracting goal
In effect
Veterans are preferred for initial employment and first promotion in Kansas state, county and city government if competent. The state has a goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled-veteran businesses.
Who qualifies
Veterans with honorable separation (K.S.A. 73-201).
Amount or details
Hiring and first-promotion preference; 3% contracting goal.
How to apply
Request veterans preference on state job applications with DD-214.
“Veterans shall be preferred for initial employment and first promotion in the state government of Kansas, and in the counties and cities of this state, if competent to perform such services.”
Kansas Vietnam War Medallion and free certified vital records
In effect
Vietnam-era veterans with Kansas ties can get a state medallion, medal and certificate. KOVS gets certified birth, marriage, divorce and death certificates free when needed for VA purposes.
Who qualifies
Medallion: active duty 2/28/1961-5/7/1975, Kansas residency link, honorable service.
Amount or details
Recognition award; free certificates for VA purposes.
“shall issue, free of charge, a permanent license to hunt and fish to any person residing in the state who submits to the secretary satisfactory proof that the person is a disabled veteran.”
Kansas Soldiers' Home (Fort Dodge) and Kansas Veterans' Home (Winfield); Topeka planned
In effect
KOVS runs state veterans homes at Fort Dodge and Winfield. A Northeast Kansas Veterans Home in Topeka is on the VA construction-grant priority list and is waiting for federal funds.
Who qualifies
See KOVS Eligibility & Admissions.
Amount or details
Fort Dodge and Winfield operating; Topeka (72 rooms) not yet funded.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Kansas source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Kansas Office of Veterans Services (KOVS) about anything here.
No state-park fee discount for veterans confirmed from an official page.
KOVS county VSO finder is a site-wide locations link, not a dedicated county finder URL.
Northeast Kansas Veterans Home (Topeka) not yet funded; no opening date.
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.