Indiana state benefits
100% Home Property Tax Deduction
100%+- Veteran with a total disability (VA or IDVA proof; DLGF says it need not be service-connected), 90+ days of service, honorable discharge
- Indiana resident 1 year before the assessment date. 100% of assessed value of your principal residence deducted, no value cap (2026 Pay 2027 on)
- An unremarried surviving spouse can keep it. You can't also take the credits in item 2
$350 and $250 Property Tax Credits
10%+- $350 credit: wartime veteran, honorable discharge, service-connected rating of 10% or more
- $250 credit: 90+ days of service, honorable discharge, age 62+ with a 10%+ disability
- Credits stack if you qualify for both. Surviving spouses can qualify. Replaced the old $24,960 deduction
Vehicle Excise Tax Credit (Up to $70)
10%+- Wartime veteran with a 10%+ service-connected disability, or a 90-day veteran with a total disability (or 62+ with 10%+)
- Up to $70 per vehicle, for up to 2 vehicles
- Only if you don't own property that can get the veteran property tax deduction (the County Auditor's affidavit confirms this)
Disabled Hoosier Veteran License Plate
Other rules- Service-connected loss or loss of use of a hand or foot, vision loss in both eyes, or a rating for a condition that stops you walking without pain or difficulty
- Or a 50%+ VA rating with at least 60% of it for mobility
- No additional fee for the plate. No charge at parking meters and no overtime meter penalty
$2.75 Hunting & Fishing License
Any rating- Indiana resident who served in the armed forces with a documented service-connected disability (any rating)
- $2.75 a year or $27.50 for 10 years: fishing and small game hunting
- Deer, turkey and Gamebird, Waterfowl and Trout/Salmon stamps not included (stamps at regular price)
$25 Disabled Hoosier Veteran Park Pass
Other rules- Anyone eligible for the Disabled Hoosier Veteran plate (item 4)
- $25 for unlimited entry to state parks, recreation areas, reservoirs and forests for the calendar year (in-state annual pass $50)
- Not valid at historic sites or the State Museum. Former POWs get a free Golden Hoosier Passport
Military Retired Pay Fully Deducted
Other rules- All military retirement income and survivor's benefits in your federal income are deductible (tax year 2022 and later)
- No age limit
- VA disability compensation is federal tax-free
College Tuition Exemption for Your Children
Any rating- Child of a wartime (or campaign-medal) veteran with any VA service-connected rating (0-100%); veteran entered from Indiana or lived here 5 years
- Up to 124 credit hours at state schools. Parent first served on or after 7/1/2011: 100% at 80%+, otherwise 20% plus the rating
- Must apply before age 33. Up to $5,000 a year at private Indiana schools (2023+ graduates)
Federal benefits to look into
CHAMPVA: health coverage for your spouse and kids
P&TIt's for family members, not the veteran: the spouse or dependent child of a veteran rated P&T from a service-connected disability. It's a cost-sharing program: VA shares the cost of covered care with the family. Not free. Family members eligible for TRICARE can't get CHAMPVA.
DEA (Chapter 35): school money for your spouse and kids
P&TChapter 35 / DEA education benefits are available to the spouse and children of a veteran who is P&T due to a service-connected disability. For school or training that started on or after Aug 1, 2018, DEA pays up to 36 months of benefits.
Social Security: faster disability decisions
100% + P&TSSA expedites disability claims from veterans rated 100% P&T. Say "veteran rated 100% P&T" (or enter "Veteran 100% P&T" in the online Remarks). It doesn't guarantee approval; SSA's own rules still apply.
Dental insurance for CHAMPVA families (VADIP)
P&TCHAMPVA covers dental only in limited medical cases; enrollees can buy dental insurance at reduced cost through VADIP.
Your Benefit Summary Letter (proof of your rating)
All veteransYou can download your Benefit Summary Letter (sometimes called an award letter) on VA.gov.
VA dental care (Class IV)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Per VA, you qualify for any needed dental care if you have a service-connected disability rated 100% disabling, or you're paid at the 100% rate because of TDIU. A temporary 100% rating does not qualify.
DoD ID card and base privileges (100%)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)A 100% disabled veteran (DAV) and eligible family members can get a DoD Uniformed Services ID card. It gives commissary, exchange and MWR privileges and base access. It is not TRICARE.
Base retail access for all service-connected veterans
Any ratingAll service-connected veterans can use commissaries, exchanges and MWR retail facilities, in person and online, per VA's matrix.
Federal student loan discharge (TPD)
100% (or paid at 100% for TDIU)Veterans whom VA has determined have a service-connected disability rated 100% or are rated totally disabled based on individual unemployability (TDIU) can have eligible federal student loans discharged.
No VA home loan funding fee
10%+Veterans receiving VA compensation for a service-connected disability are exempt from the VA home loan funding fee, at any compensable rating, not just 100%.
America the Beautiful Access Pass
Other rulesA free, lifetime pass for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability. It doesn't have to be 100% or service-connected.
Military Lifetime Pass (federal lands)
All veteransVeterans (and Gold Star families) can get a free lifetime pass to federal recreation lands. No disability is needed.