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Tennessee benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Tennessee source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services can help you apply for them at no cost.
16 benefits from official sources1 not yet finalizedLast verified
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
Tennessee Department of Veterans Services (TDVS) and county service officers
In effect
TDVS runs 12 State Veterans Services Offices, five state veterans cemeteries and trains County Service Officers who file VA claims for veterans.
Who qualifies
All Tennessee veterans and families.
Amount or details
312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, 13th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243; (615) 741-2345; TN.Veterans@tn.gov.
How to apply
Use the County Veterans Services Office Lookup (roster updated May 2026) or visit a State Veterans Services Office.
Disabled Veteran Property Tax Relief (state-paid, up to $175,000 of value)
In effect
The state pays all or part of local property taxes on the home of a qualifying disabled veteran, calculated on up to $175,000 of the home's market value. The veteran pays tax on value above that.
Who qualifies
Service-connected disability resulting in paraplegia/paralysis, loss or loss of use of 2+ limbs, or blindness; OR service-connected permanent and total disability per VA; OR 100% P&T rating as a former POW. Must own and live in the home.
Amount or details
Relief calculated on market value up to $175,000. Surviving spouses: up to $100,000 market value (rules differ).
“Beneficiaries are responsible for paying any property tax on the value”
Property tax relief for surviving spouses of disabled veterans
In effect
Surviving spouses of qualifying disabled veterans can continue to receive state property tax relief on the home, calculated on up to $100,000 of market value.
Who qualifies
Unremarried surviving spouse who owns and lives in the home.
“The maximum market value on which tax relief is calculated is $100,000.”
Bills to raise the $175,000 cap were not funded (2025 session)
Not yet finalized
Not final yet: Per Comptroller report (Mar 2026): HB48/SB368 (eliminate cap), HB52/SB473 VALOR Act ($250,000), HB1009/SB681 ($250,000) placed behind the budget, not funded; HB151/SB12 ($200,000) not heard in committee. 2026 disposition not verified.
Several 2025 bills would have raised or removed the disabled veteran property tax relief cap ($200,000, $250,000, or no cap). None were funded in 2025.
Tennessee does not tax wages, military retirement pay or VA benefits. Its only individual income tax (the Hall tax on interest and dividends) was repealed starting with 2021 tax periods.
Veterans rated 100% P&T service-connected and former POWs are exempt from the county motor vehicle privilege (wheel) tax. Tennessee offers 20+ veteran specialty plates, and qualifying disabled veteran drivers can get a free disabled decal.
Who qualifies
100% P&T service-connected disabled veteran or former POW (privilege tax); plate-specific eligibility for specialty plates.
Amount or details
Privilege tax exemption; free disabled decal. 2025 law (PC 73) allows a free distinguishing placard for disabled veterans in lieu of a free plate.
How to apply
Submit VA disability evidence to your county clerk; plates through the TN Department of Revenue/county clerk.
Helping Heroes Grant for post-9/11 decorated veterans
In effect
A lottery-funded grant pays $1,000 per full-time semester ($500 part-time) for up to eight semesters to honorably discharged veterans without a bachelor's degree who earned a qualifying campaign medal.
Who qualifies
TN resident 1+ year; honorably discharged; no bachelor's degree; awarded Iraq, Afghanistan, GWOT Expeditionary (post-9/11) or Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal.
Amount or details
$1,000/semester (12+ hours), $500 (6-11 hours); max 8 full-time semesters.
How to apply
Apply through the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC).
“The grant provides $1,000 per semester to veteran”
Dependents Tuition Waiver; in-state rates for veterans; HOPE exemptions
In effect
Spouses and children under 23 of POWs, MIAs, or service members killed in action or who died of active-duty injuries get waived tuition and fees at state schools. Veterans and dependents using federal education benefits pay in-state rates.
Who qualifies
Dependents of POW/MIA/KIA (TCA 49-7-102); veterans/dependents using GI Bill (TCA 49-8-104, 49-7-1304).
Amount or details
Tuition and specified fees waived; no out-of-state tuition for GI Bill users; tuition deferral while awaiting VA aid; early registration.
How to apply
Apply through the college's veterans or financial aid office.
Veterans' preference in state hiring (TCA 8-30-307)
In effect
Honorably discharged veterans who meet minimum qualifications must be invited to first-round interviews for state Preferred Service jobs, and get the job when otherwise equal to other candidates.
Who qualifies
Honorably discharged veteran meeting minimum qualifications, with documentation.
The Tennessee Housing Development Agency's Homeownership for Heroes program gives veterans and spouses an extra half-percent interest rate reduction on THDA Great Choice home loans.
Who qualifies
Veterans (not dishonorably discharged), active duty, reservists and qualifying spouses; low/moderate income.
Amount or details
0.5% rate reduction plus other loan flexibilities.
$10 one-time sportsman hunting and fishing license for disabled veterans
In effect
Tennessee residents who are 100% P&T service-connected disabled, or 30%+ disabled from wartime service, can get a sport hunting and fishing license for a one-time $10 fee.
Who qualifies
TN resident, 100% P&T service-connected, or 30%+ disabled by reason of wartime service.
Amount or details
One-time $10 fee.
How to apply
Apply through the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) with VA documentation.
“with a one-time $10 fee to residents of Tennessee who are 100% permanent and totally disabled from service connected cause”
State park discounts and Veterans Day free camping/golf
In effect
Resident veterans get 50% off base camping rates in the off-season (Dec. 1 to end of Feb.). Resident veterans with a 100% service-connected disability get 50% off camping and cabins year-round. On Veterans Day, resident veterans get one free night of camping and one free round of golf.
Who qualifies
Tennessee resident veteran with proof of service (DD-214, VA card, retired ID); 100% service-connected for the year-round discount.
Amount or details
50% discounts; free Veterans Day camping night and golf round.
How to apply
Call 1-888-867-2757 or book through Tennessee State Parks with proof of residency and veteran status.
“A 50% discount off camping and overnight cabin lodging fees will be extended to Tennessee resident veterans with a 100% total service-connected disability.”
Five Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries (no cost for eligible burials)
In effect
TDVS runs state veterans cemeteries in Knoxville (2), Nashville, Parkers Crossroads and Memphis. Burial is free for eligible veterans, and there is no fee for spouses or eligible dependent children.
Who qualifies
Veterans meeting federal criteria; spouses and dependent children per federal law.
Amount or details
East TN (John Sevier Hwy and Lyons View Pike, Knoxville); Middle TN (7931 McCrory Lane, Nashville); Parkers Crossroads (693 Wildersville Rd); West TN (4000 Forest Hill/Irene Rd, Memphis).
“There is no fee for the interment of a veteran’s spouse or eligible dependent children.”
New 2026 law: Guard/Reserve members with 8+ years eligible for state veterans cemeteries
In effect
A 2026 law (HB1635) lets people who served honorably in the Reserve or National Guard for at least eight years total, or were called up under state orders, be buried in Tennessee State Veterans Cemeteries at no cost.
Who qualifies
Honorable Reserve/Army or Air National Guard service of 8+ years total, or service under state orders.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Tennessee source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services about anything here.
TSAC Helping Heroes and TN Comptroller property tax relief pages moved (404); sourced to the Comptroller's March 2026 veterans report.
HB1635 (2026) effective date not captured; capitol.tn.gov bill page not reviewed.
2026 session disposition of property-tax cap bills, veterans tuition waiver (HB299/SB295), and Helping Heroes expansion (SB1188) not verified.
State veterans homes page names five homes, while the TDVS intro mentions four; admission criteria and phone numbers were not captured.
No state bonus/cash grant program found on TDVS pages (not affirmatively confirmed absent).
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.