Crisis?Call 988, press 1Text 838255Chat with the Veterans Crisis Line (opens in a new window)

Skip to content
Helping The Brave, because no brave fights alone

All states

Montana Veteran benefits

28 benefits from Montana for Veterans and their families, on top of what VA gives. Many need no disability rating.

Each one says who qualifies, how to apply, the official link, and the date we last checked it. Rules change, so the official page has the final word.

Free help in Montana

Montana Veterans Affairs Division (Dept. of Military Affairs) is the state Veterans agency. They can tell you what you qualify for and help you apply.

Call 406-324-3742 State agency website

A Veterans service officer (VSO) helps with VA claims and state benefits for free.

Find a service officer near you Montana's list of local offices
Your VA disability rating
Who is it for?

28 benefits

Property tax

  • 100%+

    Disabled Veteran Program Property Tax Rate Reduction (15-6-311, MCA)

    Montana lowers the property tax rate on the main home of a disabled veteran or qualifying surviving spouse. How much depends on income, using tables that rise each year with inflation.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating. Veteran rated 100% disabled or paid at the 100% rate by the VA for a service-connected disability, or unmarried surviving spouse of such a veteran or of one killed on active duty; property must be the owner-occupied primary residence.
    How to apply
    Apply through the Montana Department of Revenue using the MDV application process described in administrative rule and the law.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 100%+

    Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV)

    Reduces the property tax rate on the primary home of a 100% service-connected disabled veteran or their unmarried surviving spouse. The reduction level depends on income and marital status, applied to the home and up to one acre.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: 100% VA rating. Veteran must be rated 100% disabled or paid at the 100% rate by the VA for a service-connected disability, own and occupy the home, and have income under set thresholds; unmarried surviving spouses of qualifying or active-duty-deceased veterans also qualify.
    How to apply
    Apply online via the MDV Property Tax Relief Application or submit the paper MDV form to your local Dept. of Revenue field office by April 15; late applications are considered for the following year.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veterans' Clubhouse and Incompetent Veterans' Trust Property Tax Exemption

    Exempts property owned by a veterans' organization used for educational, fraternal, benevolent, or public charitable purposes, and property held in trust for incompetent veterans, from state property taxes.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a society of honorably discharged military personnel organized for qualifying nonprofit purposes, or property held by a legal guardian for an incompetent veteran funded by VA pension, compensation, insurance, or gratuity payments.
    How to apply
    Apply for the exemption through the Montana Department of Revenue property tax exemption process.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Income tax, retirement pay and other taxes

  • No rating needed

    Active Duty Military Salary Exemption

    Montana residents on active duty in the regular armed forces may exempt their active-duty salary from Montana income tax when filing their return.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Applies to salary from active duty in the regular armed forces; does not apply to Active Guard and Reserve (AGR) National Guard pay, which remains taxable.
    How to apply
    Subtract the exempt salary on the Montana individual income tax return (Form 2); residents must still file a return even if all income is exempt.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Working Military Retirement Exemption

    Montana resident military retirees who also work in Montana can exempt part of their military retirement pay from state income tax for a limited number of years. Beneficiaries of military survivor benefits may also qualify.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to retirees who became Montana residents after June 30, 2023, or who established residency before receiving retirement income and remained residents; exemption lasts five consecutive years and is scheduled to expire in tax year 2033.
    How to apply
    Claim on Montana Form 2 using Form WMRE (Working Military Retirement and Survivor Benefit Exemption) to calculate the exempt amount.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Income Tax Subtraction for SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP Survivor Annuities

    Montana residents who receive military Survivor Benefit Plan, Reserve Component SBP, or Retired Serviceman's Family Protection Plan annuities can subtract half of that income from their Montana taxable income.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to beneficiaries who became Montana residents after June 30, 2023, or who were residents before they began receiving the survivor annuity; exemption available for five consecutive years and expires in tax year 2033.
    How to apply
    Claim using Form WMRE with the Montana Form 2 individual income tax return.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Vehicles, driver's licenses and plates

  • 50%+

    Disabled Veteran (DV) License Plate

    Veterans may be issued a special DV license plate that entitles them to disabled parking privileges, based on disability rating or Purple Heart status.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. Available to veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart and rated 50% or more disabled, or who are rated/paid at the 100% disabled rate by the VA; cannot be transferred to a surviving spouse.
    How to apply
    Present an official VA disability letter and DD-214 to your County Treasurer's office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 50%+

    Motor Vehicle Registration Fee and Veterans' Cemetery Fee Waivers (61-3-460, MCA)

    Qualifying disabled veterans, former POWs, and certain surviving spouses are exempt from motor vehicle registration fees and the veterans' cemetery fee on up to two non-commercial vehicles.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 50% or higher. A veteran who was a POW; a veteran rated 100% disabled or paid at the 100% rate for a service-connected disability; a veteran rated 50% or more disabled and awarded the Purple Heart (cemetery fee still applies for this category); or the unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran killed on active duty or otherwise qualifying.
    How to apply
    Apply at your local County Treasurer's motor vehicle office with VA disability documentation and DD-214.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Reduced Vehicle Registration for Montana Residents Stationed Outside Montana

    Service members who entered active duty in Montana and are currently active or in the reserves while stationed in another state can have certain light vehicle registration fees reduced.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must have entered active duty in Montana and currently be on active duty or in the reserves stationed outside Montana; requires annual renewal with a current Application for Military Registration (MV53).
    How to apply
    Submit Form MV53 when registering a new vehicle or renewing an existing registration at your County Treasurer's office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran Designation on Driver License or ID Card

    Montana veterans can add a 'Veteran' designation to their driver license or ID card to recognize their service, which may serve as proof for veteran discounts offered by businesses.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Requires proof of honorable discharge or veteran status via DD-214, a VA letter, Veteran ID/health card, or current VFW/American Legion membership card.
    How to apply
    Submit Form 21-3000 with required documentation at an MVD exam station or by mail.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Veteran License Plate

    Montana veterans, and certain surviving spouses, may purchase a special Veteran license plate for their vehicle; part of the fee funds the state veterans cemetery program.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Any honorably discharged veteran, or the surviving spouse (not remarried) of a veteran, may apply; National Guard/Reserve members eligible for retirement also qualify.
    How to apply
    Submit DD-214 or retirement documentation to your local County Treasurer's office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Hunting, fishing and parks

  • Certain disabilities

    Combat-Disabled Veteran Half-Price Deer and Antelope Licenses

    Veterans with certain combat-connected injuries may be entitled to half-priced deer and antelope licenses, with a limited number issued each year.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Certain serious disabilities (see who qualifies). Must have a combat-connected injury; up to 50 licenses are issued annually under this program.
    combat-connected injury required, no rating path stated
    How to apply
    Apply through FWP using the disabled veteran license application process.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • 70%+

    Donation of Hunting Licenses to Disabled Veterans (87-2-815, MCA)

    Hunters may surrender their license to FWP for reissuance to a disabled veteran taking part in a rehabilitative hunting expedition organized by a qualifying nonprofit organization.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: VA rating of 70% or higher. Recipient veteran must, as a result of wounds or injuries received in a combat zone, be medically retired, have a 70% or greater disability rating from the VA or DoD, or have active duty status.
    How to apply
    The disabled veteran must be selected and sponsored by a qualifying nonprofit organization and submit the FWP donated-license application with a VA qualification letter.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Free Conservation and Fishing License for Deployed National Guard/Reserve Members (87-2-817, MCA)

    Montana National Guard or reserve members who served at least two months outside the state on a contingency operation may receive a free resident conservation license and fishing or combination sports license.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Montana resident member of the Montana National Guard or federal reserve who participated in a qualifying contingency operation requiring at least 2 months of service outside Montana.
    How to apply
    Submit a written request with DD-214 documentation to any FWP regional office or department headquarters in Helena.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Montana State Parks Veteran Camping Discount

    Montana resident veterans receive a 50% discount off camping fees (excluding electrical hookup fees) at Montana state parks.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Montana resident with veteran status, proven by DD-214, VA ID, or a driver's license showing veteran designation.
    How to apply
    Select the veteran discount when reserving a campsite through Montana FWP's online licensing service or at any FWP office.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Purple Heart Recipient Conservation License Privilege

    Montana residents and nonresidents who have been awarded a Purple Heart may fish and hunt upland game birds with only a Conservation License, regardless of age.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must have been awarded a Purple Heart; verification of the Purple Heart and DD-214 form is required.
    How to apply
    Present Purple Heart verification and DD-214 when purchasing a Conservation License from FWP.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

School and tuition

  • No rating needed

    Montana Honorably Discharged Veteran Tuition Waiver

    Waives tuition (not fees) at Montana University System campuses for honorably discharged veterans whose federal VA education benefits (Title 38 or Title 10) have expired or been exhausted.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Montana resident under BOR Policy 940.1, have an honorable discharge from active duty (not honorable-under-general-conditions), and have elected VA education benefits that are now expired or exhausted.
    How to apply
    Apply through your campus financial aid or veterans services office; the waiver is applied as a last-dollar award after all other aid.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver

    Provides a last-dollar tuition waiver, up to the in-state tuition rate, for current members of the Montana National Guard attending a Montana University System campus.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a bona fide Montana National Guard member in good standing who has completed Initial Entry Training, apply for federal Tuition Assistance first, maintain satisfactory academic progress, and have an outstanding tuition balance after other aid.
    How to apply
    Apply each academic year no later than the third week of the first semester for which the waiver is requested; forms available at mus.edu/scholarships.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Montana War Orphans Tuition Waiver

    Provides a tuition waiver for children of service members who served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan and were killed in action or died from a combat-related injury or disability.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Child must be age 25 or under; the service member must have been a Montana resident at entry into service and killed in action or died as a result of a combat-related injury, disease, or other disability.
    How to apply
    Apply through the Commissioner of Higher Education for approval; contact your campus financial aid office for the application.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Surviving Dependents of Montana National Guard Member Tuition Waiver

    Offers a tuition waiver to the surviving spouse or child of a Montana National Guard member who was killed by an injury, disease, or disability incurred in the line of duty while on state active duty.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be the surviving spouse or child of a Montana National Guard service member killed as a result of injury, disease, or other disability incurred in the line of duty while serving on state active duty.
    How to apply
    Apply through the campus financial aid office; see MUS tuition waiver policy for documentation requirements.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Jobs and hiring preference

  • Any rating

    Veterans' Employment Preference in Public Hiring (39-29-102, MCA)

    Adds percentage points to a veteran's or disabled veteran's score on scored public employer hiring exams, giving them an advantage in the selection process for state and local government jobs.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: Any VA service-connected rating, even 0%. Applicant must meet minimum qualifications for the position; veterans receive 5 percentage points and disabled veterans or eligible relatives receive 10 percentage points on a scored selection procedure.
    How to apply
    Claim the preference in writing before the application deadline for the position; forms may be provided by the public employer.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Homes, Veterans homes and cemeteries

  • No rating needed

    Montana Veterans' Home (Columbia Falls)

    A state-directed skilled nursing, intermediate, and domiciliary care facility for elderly and chronically ill veterans, operated under Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Honorably discharged veterans of the armed forces and their spouses; a physician's statement attesting to the need for nursing home care is required; no state residency requirement, though priority is given to Montana residents.
    How to apply
    Contact the Montana Veterans' Home directly to begin the admissions process.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    Montana Veterans' Home Loan Mortgage Program (VHLP)

    Provides first-mortgage funds at a reduced interest rate to Montana residents who serve or have served in the federal armed forces or the Montana National Guard, helping them buy their first home.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to Montana residents serving or who have served in the U.S. armed forces or Montana National Guard; income, asset, and purchase price limits do not apply, though a loan limit applies, and funding is on a first-come, first-served basis.
    How to apply
    Apply through a Montana Board of Housing participating lender; loans are purchased and held by the Montana Board of Investments and serviced by the Board of Housing.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating needed

    State Veterans Cemetery Burial

    Eligible veterans and their spouses can be buried in one of three Montana state veterans cemeteries (Fort Harrison, Missoula, Miles City) at no or low cost. Spouses and eligible dependents are entitled to burial with the veteran.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Veterans with an other than dishonorable discharge and at least 90 days of active duty; spouses and minor children under age 21; National Guard or Reserve with 20-year letter or DD-214.
    How to apply
    Contact the cemetery manager to determine eligibility, pre-register, and schedule burial.
    Official page

    Last checked October 3, 2026.

Money, grants and bonuses

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Montana Military Family Relief Fund - Casualty-Based Grant

    Provides a monetary grant to a Montana National Guard or Reserve member who sustains a nonfatal combat-related injury while activated for federal service in a contingency operation.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Must be a Montana resident Guard/Reserve member who served under federal orders in a contingency operation for at least 30 consecutive days and sustained a nonfatal injury in combat or directly related to combat.
    How to apply
    Submit MMFRF Form 3 (Casualty Based Grant Application) to the Department of Military Affairs.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Montana Military Family Relief Fund - Needs-Based Grant

    Offers a needs-based grant to a Montana National Guard/Reserve service member or family member facing financial hardship or reduced income during a federal deployment of more than 30 days.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to a service member or family member of a Montana resident Guard/Reserve member on active federal duty in a contingency operation for more than 30 days who experiences at least a 30% income decrease or unexpected hardship.
    How to apply
    Submit the MMFRF Needs-Based Grant application (Form 2) to the Department of Military Affairs; awarded first-come, first-served based on available funds.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

  • No rating neededFor family or survivors

    Montana Military Family Relief Fund - Status-Based Grant

    Provides a flat monetary grant to each eligible dependent of a Montana National Guard or Reserve member activated for federal service in a contingency operation for more than 30 days.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Grantee must be a DEERS-enrolled dependent of a Montana resident Guard/Reserve member serving under federal orders in a contingency operation for at least 30 consecutive days, with the member's pay grade no higher than O-3 or W-3.
    How to apply
    Submit MMFRF Form 1 for each dependent along with required documentation to the Department of Military Affairs.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Other help

  • No rating needed

    Montana Veteran Service Officer (VSO) Claims Representation

    The state provides trained, nationally accredited Veteran Service Officers at no cost to help veterans, surviving spouses, and dependents file and maximize federal VA benefit claims.

    Who qualifies
    Rating: No disability rating needed. Available to all Montana veterans and their spouses and dependents seeking help navigating VA claims and other benefits.
    How to apply
    Visit or contact a Montana Veteran Service Officer at one of the statewide MVAD offices.
    Official page

    Last checked September 28, 2026.

Also check

Education only. Helping The Brave is not a government agency. Confirm details with the agency before you apply.