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Wisconsin benefits for Veterans and families, each checked against an official Wisconsin source and linked to it. Federal VA benefits work the same everywhere, and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs 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
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and County/Tribal VSOs
In effect
WDVA (Madison) runs state veteran benefits, three veterans homes, three cemeteries and a federal claims office in Milwaukee. County Veterans Service Officers in all 72 counties and Tribal VSOs in 11 tribal nations help apply for federal and state benefits.
Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit (refundable, 100% of taxes)
In effect
A refundable income tax credit equal to 100% of property taxes paid on a primary Wisconsin home and up to one acre. It covers veterans rated 100% service-connected or IU and certain unremarried surviving spouses, including spouses of service members who died on duty and DIC recipients.
Who qualifies
Honorable active duty. Wisconsin resident at entry or for 5 consecutive years after. 100% rating or IU. Currently living in Wisconsin.
Amount or details
Credit equals 100% of property taxes paid on the primary residence and up to 1 acre.
How to apply
Get certified by your CVSO/TVSO, then claim on the Wisconsin income tax return (DOR administers the credit).
All U.S. military retirement payments, including the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan and the Survivor Benefit Plan, are exempt from Wisconsin income tax.
“No. All retirement payments received from the U.S. military retirement system (including payments from the Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan and the Survivor Benefit Plan) are exempt from Wisconsin income tax.”
Disabled Veteran (VET) parking plates and veteran plates
In effect
WisDOT issues Disabled Veteran parking plates to veterans certified by a VA health care specialist as having a permanent service-incurred disability that limits walking. These plates allow disabled parking and exemption from time-limit ordinances. The regular annual registration fee still applies, plus $15 per year for personalized plates. WDVA also links to WisDOT veteran plates.
Who qualifies
Service-incurred permanent mobility impairment, certified by the VA.
Amount or details
No registration fee waiver was found on the WisDOT page.
“Disabled veteran parking license plates are available to any Wisconsin motorist who is a veteran and is certified by an authorized VA health care specialist”
Veterans with an honorable active-duty discharge, Reserve or Guard members who completed their initial obligation honorably, and Lao special guerrilla unit veterans can add a Veteran Identifier.
Who qualifies
See criteria (expanded by 2025 Act 207).
Amount or details
Verify through WDVA first.
How to apply
Verify by calling 1-800-WIS-VETS or through MyWisVets, then go to the DMV.
Wisconsin GI Bill (tuition remission) and VetEd reimbursement grant
In effect
The Wisconsin GI Bill waives full tuition and segregated fees for up to 8 semesters or 128 credits at UW System and Wisconsin Technical College System schools. It covers eligible veterans, and spouses and children (ages 17-25) of veterans rated 30%+ or who died in service. VetEd reimburses tuition for veterans without a bachelor's degree, with household income under $50,000 plus $1,000 per dependent beyond two.
Who qualifies
Wisconsin residency and service requirements (see WDVA).
Amount or details
Full tuition and fee remission for 128 credits or 8 semesters. VetEd credits scale with service length (up to 120 credits).
“The Wisconsin GI Bill provides full tuition and segregated fee remission for eligible veterans and their dependents for up to eight semesters or 128 credits”
Veterans Non-Competitive Appointment (30%+ disabled) and licensure fee waiver
In effect
Veterans rated 30% or more can be appointed to state jobs without going through competitive exams. WDVA also lists a professional and occupational licensure fee waiver.
Who qualifies
30%+ service-connected (documentation dated within 12 months). Must not hold a permanent state position.
Amount or details
Non-competitive appointment.
How to apply
Apply on Wisc.Jobs with a resume, DD-214 and VA rating letter.
Last-resort grants for veterans in financial hardship. Health care aid covers dental (up to $800 per 12 months), vision ($400) and hearing. Subsistence aid covers income lost to illness, injury or disaster, up to $3,000 per 12 months. The lifetime combined cap is $7,500.
Who qualifies
Veterans meeting program and income rules, after other aid is exhausted.
“Grant awards cannot exceed $3,000 during any consecutive 12-month period or the Health Care Aid and Subsistence Aid grant program $7,500 lifetime limit.”
Free or $7 State Parks pass for disabled veterans; free license voucher for returning service members
In effect
Resident veterans rated 70%+ and former POWs get free state park admission and trail passes. Those rated 50%+ or IU pay $7 per year. The DNR Returning Service Members Voucher gives one free small game, archery, gun deer or annual fishing license to resident veterans discharged within the last 365 days who served in OEF/OIF periods.
Who qualifies
As listed.
Amount or details
Free (70%+, POW) or $7 per year (50%+/IU). One free license voucher.
How to apply
Park card: get the application certified by a CVSO and mail it to DNR Parks. Voucher: form WDVA 2240 or MyWisVets.
Three state veterans cemeteries (King, Union Grove, Spooner)
In effect
Central (King), Southern (Union Grove) and Northern (Spooner) Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries. There is no interment fee for eligible veterans unless a private vault is used. Spouses and dependents pay $1,700 for casket burial or $978 for cremains.
Extends the license and ID veteran identifier to any former armed forces member discharged under honorable conditions, and to Reserve or Guard members who completed their initial obligated service.
We only publish what we could confirm on an official Wisconsin source. These are the open questions from our latest review. Ask the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs about anything here.
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.