Mississippi Veterans’ Financial Benefits
Military Pay Tax Exemptions:
Mississippi residents serving in the military are eligible for income tax exemptions on certain types of military pay, including:
- Compensation earned in a designated combat zone
- Up to $15,000 annually for reserve component members participating in:
- Inactive duty training (e.g., monthly drills or special meetings)
- Active duty training (e.g., summer training, special schools, or cruises)
- State active duty during emergencies
Military income outside of these categories remains taxable in Mississippi.
Military Retirement Income Tax Relief:
Mississippi fully exempts military retirement pay from state income taxes.
While the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) does not withhold for state or local taxes, distributions are reported via IRS Form 1099-R and may be subject to state taxation. Early withdrawals might lead to additional tax penalties.
Tax Relief for Military Spouses:
Under the Military Spouses Residency Relief Act (MSRRA), spouses of nonresident service members stationed in Mississippi are not subject to state income tax on income earned within the state.
Disability Pay Exemption:
Mississippi does not impose state taxes on VA disability compensation or military disability retirement pay. This includes:
- VA disability compensation and pensions for veterans and their dependents
- Special housing and vehicle grants for disabled veterans
- Dependent-care assistance benefits
Property Tax Relief for 100% Disabled Veterans:
Veterans with a total and permanent service-connected disability who were honorably discharged are fully exempt from paying property taxes on their primary residence. This benefit also extends to surviving spouses of eligible veterans.
Tax-Free VA DIC Payments:
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) provided to surviving dependents of service members who died in the line of duty or from service-related conditions is exempt from Mississippi income tax.
State Tax Exemption on Survivor Benefits:
Annuities from the SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP programs are not taxed by the state of Mississippi.
Sales Tax Overview:
- Base statewide rate: 7.0%
- Counties may add up to 1.0% in local tax
- Average total rate (including local taxes): ~7.052%
Recreation
Mississippi Hunting and Fishing License Benefits for Veterans and Service Members
100% Disabled Veterans Exempt from License Requirements:
Mississippi resident Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA are not obligated to obtain hunting or fishing licenses. These Veterans must carry documentation verifying their age, Mississippi residency, and VA disability rating while engaging in these activities. Alternatively, they can opt for a $5 Disabled Exempt License to serve as a consolidated proof of eligibility.
Resident License Privileges for Nonresident Service Members:
Active duty Service members stationed in Mississippi but who are not state residents may obtain hunting and fishing licenses at the same cost as residents. To qualify, applicants must present a valid military ID.
14-Day Nonresident Armed Forces License:
Nonresident active duty personnel can purchase a special 14-day Mississippi Hunting/Fishing License for $37.25. A current military ID is required when applying. Each Service member is limited to purchasing two of these licenses per license year.
License Exemption for Mississippi Service Members on Leave:
Active duty Mississippi residents stationed outside the state are not required to buy hunting or fishing licenses when they are home on leave. These individuals must have their military ID and official leave paperwork with them while hunting or fishing.
Additional Mississippi Benefits for Military Members and Veterans
Veterans Records Archiving and Access in Mississippi:
The state offers specialized services for Veterans and their families to handle and retrieve official military documents.
Military Discharge Recording:
Chancery Clerks across Mississippi are authorized to record honorable discharge papers and service certificates for resident Armed Forces members, providing certified copies at no cost.
Jury Duty Exemption for Mississippi National Guard Members:
Members of the Mississippi National Guard are excused from jury service if it interferes with their military responsibilities. A statement from a commanding officer is required to validate the conflict.
Protection from Arrest for Mississippi National Guard Personnel:
National Guard members are protected from arrest when commuting to, from, or while performing their official duties—unless charged with a felony or treason.
Mississippi Veterans’ Home Purchase Board (VHPB):
The VHPB offers affordable mortgage loans to Veterans, active duty, reserve component personnel, and eligible un-remarried surviving spouses. Benefits include competitive interest rates, reduced fees, and up to 100% financing.
Eligible properties must be single-family homes located within Mississippi. The program also supports the conversion of construction loans into permanent financing. Properties such as farms, undeveloped land, mobile homes, condos, and townhouses do not qualify.
Education Programs
Mississippi Education Benefits for Veterans, Service Members, and Their Families
State Educational Assistance Program (SEAP):
The Mississippi SEAP offers tuition support for eligible Mississippi National Guard members attending accredited in-state institutions. Service members can receive up to $5,000 annually, including:
- $1,100 per semester for full-time students at two-year colleges
- $2,500 per semester for full-time students at four-year colleges
Students enrolled less than full-time (between 6 and 11 semester hours) qualify for half of the full-time benefit. Eligibility extends for 10 years from the date of the first SEAP payment. This funding may be used alongside federal tuition assistance, the GI Bill (excluding Chapter 33), grants, and scholarships, and applies toward the first technical certificate or undergraduate degree.
In-State Tuition for Nonresidents:
- Active Duty & National Guard Members:
Nonresident Service members stationed in Mississippi or serving in the Mississippi National Guard qualify for in-state tuition at state-supported institutions. This benefit ends if the Service member is reassigned out of Mississippi or separates from the Guard. - Veterans:
Nonresident Veterans attending public colleges and universities in Mississippi are eligible for in-state tuition rates. - Spouses and Children of Active Duty Members:
The spouse and dependents of Service members stationed in Mississippi also qualify for in-state tuition. This status may continue if they:- Complete their senior year of high school in Mississippi and enroll in a Mississippi college, or
- Maintain continuous enrollment in a Mississippi institution
It also applies to dependents of Service members reassigned overseas following a Mississippi assignment.
Contact the admissions office at your school of choice for detailed eligibility and application requirements.
Honorary High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans:
Mississippi school districts may award honorary diplomas to Veterans who left high school to serve during:
- World War II
- The Korean Conflict
- The Vietnam Conflict
Veterans must have received an honorable discharge. Family members of deceased eligible Veterans may apply on their behalf by contacting the Veteran’s former school district.
Educational Opportunities for Military Children – MIC3:
Mississippi participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) to ease academic transitions caused by military relocations and deployments. Key provisions include:
- Faster school enrollment and record transfers
- Fair placement regardless of varying curriculum or assessment requirements
- Support for extracurricular involvement and on-time graduation
- Information-sharing across states and school systems
- Coordinated efforts between educators and military Families to support academic success
Mississippi Military Star School Program:
This initiative recognizes schools that provide a high level of support for military-connected students and Families. Schools must designate a trained liaison to support military students and ensure staff are aware of their unique needs and challenges.
Housing: Locations of Veterans Homes in Mississippi
The state of Mississippi operates four State Veterans Homes offering skilled long-term care for qualifying Veterans and their spouses. Each facility is equipped with 150 beds and staffed by a team of committed professionals focused on delivering exceptional care.
Mississippi State Veterans Home at Collins
Mississippi State Veterans Home at Jackson
Mississippi State Veterans Home at Kosciusko
Mississippi State Veterans Home at Oxford
ligibility for Mississippi State Veterans Home Care
To be considered for admission into a Mississippi State Veterans Home, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a Veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces discharged under conditions other than dishonorable (DD214 or equivalent documentation is required), or
- Be the spouse of a Veteran currently residing in a Mississippi State Veterans Home
- Nonresidents may also be accepted if there are no Mississippi residents on the waiting list
- Undergo a physical exam by a licensed physician within 30 days prior to admission
Applicants must also not have:
- A communicable disease
- Medical needs beyond the facility’s capability
- Behaviors that could pose a threat to themselves, staff, or other residents
Employment & Job Training Benefits for Mississippi Veterans
Military Leave for Mississippi State Employees
Mississippi state employees who serve in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for up to 15 working days of paid military leave each year without any loss in pay, leave, or job status. If military duties exceed this time, they may take an authorized leave of absence and have guaranteed reemployment upon return.
Veterans’ Preference in Mississippi State Employment
Veterans applying for Mississippi state jobs receive five preference points, and disabled Veterans receive ten points on initial and promotional applications. In times of layoffs, Veterans get four retention points, and disabled Veterans receive eight.
Eligibility:
- Served at least 90 days during wartime or armed conflict with an honorable discharge
- Veterans discharged before 90 days due to a service-connected injury
- Veterans with a 30%+ VA disability rating or who received a Purple Heart
Federal Veterans’ Employment Preferences
Veterans and eligible family members may receive 5 or 10 points on federal employment exams. These preferences apply during hiring and workforce reductions.
Categories include:
- 5-point preference: Wartime service, Gulf War, certain campaigns, and more
- 10-point preference:
- CP: Service-connected disability (10–29%)
- CPS: Disability rating of 30% or more
- XP: Any service-connected disability or Purple Heart
- Derived Preference (XP): Applies to qualifying spouses, surviving spouses, or mothers of certain Veterans
Note: Veterans who enlisted after Sept 7, 1980, may need to have served continuously for 24 months unless separated due to disability or hardship.
Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA)
USERRA protects the civilian employment rights of Service members, including:
- Job security during military service (up to 5 years of protected leave)
- Guaranteed reemployment at the same position with seniority and pay
- Disability accommodations and a two-year grace period for return post-injury
- Continued health benefits for up to 24 months
- Pension protections
Who qualifies?
All Veterans, National Guard members, and reservists who leave civilian jobs for military service. The Department of Labor’s VETS program supports those with USERRA claims.
Military Service Credit in Mississippi Public Employee Retirement System (PERS)
Veterans employed by the state may be eligible for up to four years of retirement service credit through Mississippi PERS.
Free Credit Requirements:
- Served on active duty
- Rejoined state service after discharge and vested in PERS
- Received an honorable discharge
- No credit for this service in another retirement system
Purchased Credit:
Eligible when returning to public service under USERRA protections and paying required contributions.
Mississippi Job Protection & Licensing for Service Members
- Reemployment Rights: Mississippi guarantees job return for Service members activated under federal or state orders, with full restoration of pay and status.
- Professional License Extensions: Licenses held by National Guard and Reserve members do not expire during active duty and are extended 90 days post-deployment. No late fees apply, but proper documentation is required.
- Expedited Licensing for Military & Spouses: Active duty Service members and their spouses assigned to Mississippi can receive accelerated processing for professional licenses (temporary or permanent). Relevant military training may be counted toward requirements.
Mississippi Department of Employment Security (MDES) Veterans Services
Veterans receive priority service and have access to tailored employment and support resources through the MDES Veterans webpage.
Resource Categories:
- Job Search – Job listings, application tips, and employment support
- Education & Training – Pathways to academic and skills training
- Employment Rights – Details on legal job protections for Veterans
- Resources – Assistance for women Veterans, benefits access, and service record help
- Housing & Homeless Services – Help locating housing for Veterans and their Families
Burials and Memorials
It’s important to document your wishes regarding burial in a national cemetery and the use of a VA-provided headstone. These preferences should be stored with your personal and medical records. Veterans who received an honorable discharge are entitled to burial at no cost. Spouses and dependents are also eligible and may incur only a minimal fee.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors eligible Veterans and their loved ones by offering a dignified final resting place and a memorial that celebrates the Veteran’s service to the country.
These burial benefits include a gravesite in any open VA national cemetery, grave opening and closing, continuous site maintenance, a government-issued headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate—all provided free of charge. In certain cases, Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are treated with equal respect and are either buried or inurned in national cemeteries with the same benefits as traditional burials.
Spouses and dependents who qualify are also entitled to burial benefits, including burial with the Veteran and ongoing maintenance of the gravesite. Their names and dates of birth and death are engraved on the Veteran’s marker at no cost. Notably, spouses and dependents remain eligible even if they pass away before the Veteran and are not required to be buried in the same cemetery.
National Cemeteries include:
Biloxi: Biloxi National Cemetery
Corinth: Corinth National Cemetery
Natchez: Natchez National Cemetery
Mississippi VA Benefit Resources
Veterans in Mississippi have access to support through a Regional Benefits Office and several VA Medical Centers located throughout the state.
Mississippi VA Regional Benefits Office
- Jackson: Jackson Regional Office
Mississippi VA Medical Centers
Essential Details About Mississippi Veteran Benefits
Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time must submit a copy of their DD214 (discharge document). This form verifies discharge status, full legal name, Social Security number, branch of service, and service dates. Most VA benefits are available to those with honorable or general discharges.
It’s crucial to store your discharge paperwork and medical records securely in a place that is both accessible to you and your family and protected from damage or loss — such as a fireproof safe.
Eligibility for most VA benefits is determined by active military service and a discharge status that is not dishonorable. Active duty refers to full-time service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, Environmental Science Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Veterans discharged under dishonorable conditions due to bad conduct from a general court-martial may be ineligible for benefits. However, certain benefits may still be available to incarcerated Veterans and those on parole. VA regional offices can assist in determining eligibility for individuals with complex discharge histories or incarceration status.
Information current as of November 2023.
Benefits for Mississippi Veterans
Disabled Veterans in Mississippi with a VA disability rating of 90% or lower may qualify for extra benefits. Reach out to Vital Veterans Consultants for a complimentary, no-obligation consultation. Our team can evaluate your claim to see if you’re eligible for further assistance.
