Kansas Veteran Financial Benefits
Exemption on Military Retirement Pay:
Kansas exempts military retirement pay included in federal adjusted gross income from state taxes. This means retired Service members do not pay Kansas state income tax on their military pension.
Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Tax Details:
Although the TSP does not withhold state or local taxes automatically, all distributions are reported on IRS Form 1099-R each year. These withdrawals are generally subject to state income tax, and early withdrawals may lead to increased tax obligations.
Taxation of Active Duty Military Pay:
Military pay received by Kansas residents serving in the Armed Forces is subject to Kansas income tax.
Tax Relief for Nonresident Military Spouses:
Spouses of nonresident Service members stationed in Kansas may be eligible for an exemption from Kansas income tax on earnings earned within the state.
Tax Exemption for Military Disability Retirement Pay:
Kansas excludes income classified as Military Disability Retirement Pay from taxable income. This applies to pensions, annuities, or similar payments due to injuries or illnesses resulting from active duty service. Tax-exempt payments include:
- Disability compensation or pensions for Veterans or their dependents
- Grants for specially adapted homes for wheelchair users
- Grants for vehicles for Veterans who lost limbs or vision
- Payments from dependent-care assistance programs
Exemption for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC):
Kansas does not tax DIC payments, which are non-taxable benefits for eligible survivors of Service members who died while on duty or from service-related conditions.
Tax-Free Survivor Annuities (SBP, RCSBP, RSFPP):
Annuities provided under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), or the Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) are exempt from Kansas state income tax.
Extended Tax Filing Deadlines for Deployed Military:
The Kansas Department of Revenue aligns with IRS rules, granting deployed Service members up to 180 days after returning from overseas to handle tax-related duties like filing returns, making payments, or applying for refunds.
Homestead Refund for Disabled Veterans and Surviving Spouses:
Kansas offers a property tax refund (Homestead Refund) to disabled Veterans, their surviving spouses, or spouses of Service members killed in action.
- Home value limit: $350,000
- Maximum refund amount: $700
Sales Tax in Kansas:
- State rate: 6.5%
- Local counties: May add up to 4.25%
- Average total with local tax: Approximately 8.66%
Recreation
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (KDWP) Benefits for National Guard Members and Disabled Veterans
Kansas grants complimentary hunting and fishing licenses to members of the Kansas National Guard and honorably discharged resident Veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 30% or more. Kansas National Guard members also qualify for a free vehicle permit for state parks.
Resident Rate Licenses for Nonresident Active Duty Service Members
Active duty Service members who are stationed in Kansas but are not state residents can buy all annual licenses, stamps, and permits from the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks at the same rate offered to residents.
Resident Licensing Privileges for Deployed Kansas Service Members and Their Families
Kansas residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as their immediate family members living with them, are eligible to continue purchasing resident hunting and fishing licenses, permits, and stamps, excluding lifetime licenses, even when stationed out of state.
Permit Refunds for Service Members with PCS Orders
Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who receive PCS (Permanent Change of Station) orders before the start of the hunting season that prevent them from using their purchased permits are eligible to have all associated fees refunded.
Elk Hunting Permits for Fort Riley Military Personnel
The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks allocates specific Elk Permits to military personnel assigned to Fort Riley.
Education Programs
Kansas Education Benefits for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
Kansas Heroes Scholarship:
Eligible spouses (including un-remarried surviving spouses) and dependent children of certain Kansas resident Service members or Veterans may qualify for full tuition and fee waivers at public educational institutions. This applies to individuals who meet any of the following criteria:
- Died in the line of duty while on state or federal active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces on or after September 11, 2001
- Hold an 80% or higher service-connected disability rating
- Were former prisoners of war (POWs)
Qualified recipients can receive up to 10 semesters of waived tuition at Kansas public universities, community colleges, or technical/vocational schools.
Resident Tuition for Veterans, Service Members, and Dependents:
All Veterans eligible for federal education benefits, along with active U.S. Armed Forces personnel, are granted in-state tuition at any Kansas public postsecondary institution, regardless of how long they’ve lived in the state. Their spouses and dependent children are also eligible. Furthermore, those who previously established residency while stationed in Kansas or before enlisting will have their in-state tuition eligibility restored, provided they reside in Kansas at the time of enrollment.
Kansas Military Service Scholarship:
Veterans and Service members who served in designated hostile fire zones may receive tuition and fee coverage at Kansas public colleges and universities through the Kansas Military Service Scholarship. This scholarship covers up to four academic years of undergraduate education (or five years for designated five-year programs).
Kansas National Guard Educational Assistance Program:
This program offers tuition assistance to qualified members of the Kansas National Guard, covering a percentage of tuition and fees at accredited colleges. The awarded percentage depends on:
- Available program funding
- Number of qualified applicants
- Any federal tuition assistance already awarded to the student
Vietnam War Veteran Dependent Education Benefits:
Children of Veterans who died as a result of their service in Vietnam may attend Kansas public colleges and universities tuition-free. This benefit covers up to 12 semesters of instruction and remains in effect permanently once eligibility is established.
“Operation Recognition” Honorary High School Diplomas:
Kansas awards honorary high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school to serve in WWII (September 16, 1940 – December 31, 1946) or the Korean War (June 27, 1950 – January 31, 1955) and did not graduate. Veterans who earned diplomas but missed their graduation ceremony are also eligible. Diplomas may be issued posthumously.
Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3):
Kansas participates in the MIC3, designed to eliminate educational barriers faced by children of military families due to frequent relocations and parental deployments. Key provisions include:
- Smooth enrollment process despite variations in records or entry requirements
- Consistent placement and attendance policies
- Equal access to academic programs and extracurricular activities
- Support for on-time graduation
- Efficient information sharing among states, schools, and military families
- Coordination with other military-related education compacts
- Encouragement of flexibility and collaboration among schools, families, and students
Kansas Purple Star School Recognition Program:
This initiative acknowledges schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected students and families. To earn the Purple Star designation, schools must appoint a dedicated liaison trained to address military-related challenges and ensure faculty awareness. Additionally, schools must provide an online resource hub tailored to the needs of military families.
Housing: Below are the locations of Veterans Homes available for housing support.
Kansas State Veterans Home at Winfield
Kansas State Veterans Home at Fort Dodge
Admission Eligibility:
To qualify for admission:
- Veterans must have received an honorable discharge.
- Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star parents may also be eligible, subject to availability.
- Monthly fees are determined based on the individual needs of the Veteran.
Employment and Job Training: Veterans Preference
Kansas State Employee Leave for Military Duty
State employees who serve in the Reserve Component of the U.S. Armed Forces are entitled to up to 30 days of paid military leave per year for active duty. This annual cycle runs from October 1 to September 30.
Kansas Veterans’ Hiring Preference for State Employment
Eligible Veterans and qualifying spouses applying for Kansas state jobs are guaranteed an interview and consideration for employment. While this preference enhances hiring opportunities, it does not guarantee job placement.
Federal Veteran Hiring Preferences
Federal Veterans’ Employment Preference
Federal law provides hiring preference to Veterans—particularly those with disabilities or who served during specific periods or conflicts. Veterans may receive 5 or 10 additional points in the competitive hiring process.
- 5-Point Preference applies to Veterans who served:
- During a war, or
- Between April 28, 1952 – July 1, 1955, or
- More than 180 consecutive days (excluding training) between Jan 31, 1955 – Oct 15, 1976, or
- During the Gulf War (Aug 2, 1990 – Jan 2, 1992), or
- More than 180 consecutive days from Sept 11, 2001 – Aug 31, 2010 (Operation Iraqi Freedom), or
- In any campaign or expedition awarded a campaign medal (e.g., Panama, Somalia, Southwest Asia)
- 10-Point Preferences include:
- Compensable Disability (CP): For service-connected disabilities of 10–29%
- Compensable 30% Disability (CPS): For those rated at 30% or higher
- Other Disabilities (XP): For Veterans receiving any form of VA compensation or those awarded the Purple Heart
- Derived Preference (XP): For spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of qualifying Veterans, if the Veteran cannot work due to service-connected disabilities
Note: To qualify, many post-1980 enlistees must have served 24 continuous months, unless separated due to hardship, disability, or other specific exemptions.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
Job Protection & Reemployment Rights
USERRA ensures that Service members can return to their civilian jobs after military duty with the same seniority, pay, and benefits they would have earned had they not been absent.
- Five-Year Rule: Most Service members are protected for up to five cumulative years of military service, with exceptions for certain training or involuntary extensions.
- Return to Work: Employers must restore Service members to their original job—or a comparable one—with appropriate accommodations for disabilities.
- Skills Refresher: Employers must offer reasonable training or retraining to help Service members resume their roles.
Health & Pension Coverage
- For military service over 30 days, employees can maintain employer-sponsored healthcare for up to 24 months, potentially at 102% of the premium.
- Service under 31 days is treated as regular employment regarding health benefits.
- Pension benefits continue uninterrupted during military service.
Who is Eligible?
USERRA protections apply to all Veterans and Reserve or National Guard members who leave their civilian employment to perform military service or training.
Need Help?
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) assists with all USERRA-related claims, including those from federal and postal employees.
Burials and Memorials
It’s important to ensure your burial preferences—such as interment in a national cemetery and use of a VA-issued headstone—are clearly documented and included with your personal records and medical documentation.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors eligible Veterans and their families by offering a dignified final resting place and a permanent tribute recognizing their service to the country.
These burial benefits include a gravesite at any open national cemetery with available space, covering the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual upkeep, a government-provided headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate—all offered at no cost to the family. Certain Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance. Cremated remains receive the same respectful treatment as casketed remains and may be interred or placed in a columbarium niche.
Spouses and dependents of eligible Veterans are also entitled to these honors, including burial beside the Veteran and continued maintenance of the gravesite. Their names and dates of birth and death will be engraved on the Veteran’s headstone, free of charge. Notably, spouses and eligible dependents may be buried even if they pass away before the Veteran and do not need to be laid to rest in the same national cemetery.
National Cemeteries include:
Baxter Springs: Baxter Springs City Soldiers’ Lot
Fort Leavenworth: Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery
Fort Scott: Fort Scott National Cemetery
Leavenworth: Leavenworth National Cemetery
Mound City: Mound City Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot
Kansas Veteran Support Services
Veterans in Kansas have access to a Regional VA Benefits Office as well as multiple VA Medical Centers offering dedicated care and support.
Kansas VA Regional Benefits Office
- Wichita: Wichita Regional Office
Kansas VA Medical Centers
- Leavenworth: VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System – Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center
- Topeka: VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System – Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center
- Wichita: Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center
Essential Details Regarding Kansas Veteran Benefits:
When applying for VA benefits in Kansas for the first time, Veterans must include a copy of their DD 214 (discharge document). This form verifies discharge status, full legal name, Social Security number, military branch, and service dates. Most VA benefits are available to those with an honorable or general discharge.
It’s strongly advised to store your discharge paperwork and medical records securely—ideally in a location such as a locked safe—where both you and your loved ones can easily access them if needed. This ensures protection from loss, damage, or unauthorized changes.
Eligibility for VA benefits generally depends on having completed active duty military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service refers to full-time duty in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, Environmental Services Administration, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Veterans who received a dishonorable discharge from a general court-martial may be ineligible for VA benefits. However, incarcerated Veterans or those on parole may still qualify for some benefits. A VA regional office can assist in determining eligibility, especially for individuals with multiple discharges of varying character.
Information current as of November 2023.
Veteran Benefits in Kansas
Disabled Veterans in Kansas with a VA disability rating of 90% or below may qualify for more benefits than they currently receive. Reach out to Vital Veterans Consultants for a no-obligation, complimentary consultation. Our team can assess your claim to see if you’re eligible for further assistance.
