Ohio Veteran Financial Benefits
Military Pay Income Tax Deduction for Ohio Residents Serving Outside the State: Active-duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are Ohio residents but stationed outside the state may deduct their military pay from Ohio income taxes, as long as it is included in their federal adjusted gross income. These Service members are also exempt from paying Ohio school district income tax. This benefit also covers military pay earned by Ohio-based Service members placed on temporary duty (TDY) outside the state.
Income Tax Deduction for Military Retired Pay: Retired military pay is fully deductible from Ohio state income taxes.
Exemption for Survivor Benefit Plans: Payments from the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP), and Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) are not subject to Ohio state taxation.
Military Disability Retirement Pay Exemption: Disability retirement pay received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance due to illness or injury incurred during active duty is excluded from taxable income. Qualifying disability-related payments include:
- Compensation and pension payments for service-connected disabilities to Veterans or their dependents
- Grants for specially adapted housing designed for wheelchair accessibility
- Grants for motor vehicles provided to Veterans who have lost vision or limb function
- Dependent-care assistance program benefits
VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) Exemption: DIC benefits, paid to eligible survivors of Service members who died while on duty or Veterans who passed due to service-connected conditions, are exempt from Ohio state taxes.
Homestead Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans: Veterans rated 100% disabled by the VA may receive expanded property tax exemptions on their primary residence. Qualifying individuals can exclude up to $50,000 of their home’s assessed value from property taxes.
Nonresident Military Spouse Tax Exemption: Spouses of nonresident Service members stationed in Ohio under military orders, who share the same legal residence as the Service member, are exempt from Ohio income tax on wages earned in the state. They are also not subject to Ohio school district taxes.
Sales Tax in Ohio:
- Statewide base rate: 5.75%
- Counties may impose an additional tax of up to 2.25%
- The average combined state and local sales tax rate is approximately 7.24%
Recreation
Ohio Disabled Veteran and POW Five-Year Free Hunting and Fishing License:
Eligible Veterans in Ohio can receive a complimentary five-year hunting and fishing license. This includes licenses and permits such as fishing, hunting, fur taker, deer, wild turkey, wetlands habitat stamp, or any combination thereof.
Active-Duty Service Members – Hunting License Benefits:
Service members on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces who are on leave or furlough are exempt from purchasing a hunting license, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp, or fur taker permit. However, all other required licenses and permits must still be obtained. Nonresident active-duty Service members stationed in Ohio are eligible to purchase hunting licenses at resident rates.
Active-Duty Service Members – Fishing License Benefits:
While on leave or furlough, active-duty Service members do not need to buy a fishing license. Nonresident active-duty Service members stationed in Ohio may also purchase fishing licenses at the same cost as residents.
Free Watercraft Registration for Eligible Veterans:
Ohio provides free boat registration for resident Veterans who qualify under the following categories:
- 100% Disabled Veterans – Must present VA documentation confirming a 100% service-connected disability.
- Medal of Honor Recipients – Must provide official proof of the award.
- Former Prisoners of War (POW) – Must present official records verifying POW status and an honorable discharge, or proof of current active-duty service.
State Park Camping Discounts:
At Ohio State Parks, both active-duty and retired Service members are entitled to a 10% discount on all overnight accommodations every night of the week, regardless of residency.
Free Camping for POWs and 100% Disabled Veterans:
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources grants free camping to resident former POWs and honorably discharged Veterans with a VA-determined permanent and total disability. This benefit applies to campsites only and is limited to one site per reservation period.
Ohio Military & Veterans Miscellaneous Benefits
Short-Term Financial Assistance:
Every County Veterans Service Office in Ohio can provide temporary financial help to Veterans and their families. The type and amount of assistance vary by county, but support may cover essentials such as rent or mortgage, utilities, food, car payments, or insurance.
Ohio Patriot Program:
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office offers a wide range of services to Service members, Veterans, and their families, including:
- Consumer Protection – Guidance on avoiding scams targeting military families.
- Charities – Help identifying fraudulent Veteran charities and assistance with starting legitimate nonprofit organizations.
- Collections – Support in creating repayment plans for state debts.
- Legal Assistance – Free legal aid for active duty and mobilized Service members, including help with SCRA and USERRA violations, wills, and powers of attorney.
- Civil Rights – Protection against discrimination based on military status in housing, employment, and public accommodations.
- Identity Theft Support – Assistance with recovery and the option to place an “Active Duty Alert” on credit files to reduce fraud risks.
Additional resources include guidance on income taxes for Service members, utility issues, reporting patient neglect, concealed carry information, and details on Ohio’s Veterans Bonus.
Veterans Courts:
Special Veterans Courts in Ohio emphasize treatment and rehabilitation rather than punishment for justice-involved Veterans. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services partners with these courts to help connect Veterans with needed resources. Local County Veteran Service Officers can provide more details.
Military Records Assistance:
Veterans can request their service records through County Veterans Service Offices. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services maintains enlistment and wartime bonus records for Ohio Veterans.
Concealed Carry License Exemption:
Active duty Service members who have completed firearms training that meets or exceeds Ohio’s concealed carry requirements do not need a civilian concealed handgun license. They must carry both proof of training and a valid military ID while armed.
Ohio Veterans Bonus:
The Ohio Veterans Bonus provides financial recognition for service between October 7, 2001, and August 30, 2021. Bonus amounts are:
- $100 per month (up to $1,000) for service in Afghanistan
- $50 per month (up to $500) for service elsewhere in the world
The maximum lifetime bonus is $1,500. Applications are open until August 30, 2024.
Ohio Heroes Home Loan Program:
Through the Ohio Housing Finance Authority (OHFA), Service members, Veterans, and other public servants can access reduced mortgage interest rates. Applicants may also qualify for down payment assistance, which is forgiven after seven years. Eligible properties include single-family homes, certain condos, duplexes, four-unit properties, modular homes, and manufactured homes (with acreage limits based on location and code requirements).
Life Insurance Premium Reimbursement:
Ohio National Guard Service members who choose Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) coverage are eligible for premium reimbursement when called to state or federal active duty. This benefit does not apply to those serving in full-time Guard duty or special work assignments.
Education Programs
Ohio Veteran & Military Education Benefits
High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans:
Ohio school districts and city boards of education award high school diplomas to Veterans who left school early to serve during World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War. Diplomas may also be awarded posthumously.
Eligibility requires that the Veteran:
- Left school before graduation to join the U.S. Armed Forces, or left due to family circumstances before enlisting
- Did not previously receive a diploma
- Was honorably discharged
Ohio War Orphans and Severely Disabled Veterans’ Children Scholarship (WOS):
The WOS program provides tuition assistance to children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio Veterans, as well as those whose parent is MIA or a POW.
- Application deadline: May 15 each year
- 2022–2023 award amounts:
- Public universities/community colleges – covers 80% of tuition and general fees
- Private institutions – up to $6,170 annually
- Benefits may be used for up to five academic years.
Ohio National Guard Scholarship Program (ONGSP):
ONGSP offers tuition coverage for eligible Guard members pursuing a degree, certification, or license at participating Ohio schools.
- Covers 100% of tuition at state-funded public colleges
- Covers up to the state average public tuition at participating private schools
- Service obligation:
- 3–5 years enlistment = 48 semester hours
- 6 years enlistment = 96 semester hours
- Federal and DoD educational benefits must be applied before ONGSP pays.
Ohio Safety Officers College Memorial Fund:
Provides tuition assistance to children and spouses of Service members killed in the line of duty.
- Covers 100% of tuition and fees at Ohio public colleges/universities
- Provides $8,606 annually at private schools
- Up to four years of undergraduate study, or up to two certificate programs (max four years equivalent).
Ohio Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3):
Designed to ease school transitions for military children, this compact ensures:
- Prompt enrollment and acceptance of records from other schools
- Fair placement without penalty for differences in requirements or schedules
- Access to extracurricular activities and graduation on time
- Uniform policies across member states for consistency and support
Purple Star Designation for Schools:
Ohio schools committed to supporting military-connected students can earn the Purple Star Award. Requirements include:
- A trained school liaison for military families
- Staff awareness training for challenges military children face
- A dedicated webpage with resources for families
Collegiate Purple Star Designation:
Ohio colleges and universities may also earn the Purple Star recognition by demonstrating strong support for military-affiliated students. Requirements may include:
- A designated Veteran support office or staff contact
- Priority class registration for Service members and Veterans
- Credit evaluation for military training and experience
- Career support linking Veterans with employers
Ohio GI Promise – Resident Tuition for Nonresidents:
The Ohio GI Promise allows eligible nonresident Veterans and their dependents to pay in-state tuition rates at public colleges and universities immediately, without meeting the standard 12-month residency requirement.
Housing: Locations for Veterans Homes
Ohio State Veterans Homes: The state of Ohio operates three Veterans Homes that provide a range of services, including independent living, supervised living, intermediate care, skilled nursing, and memory care for qualified Veterans. These facilities are designed to support dignity and independence, ensure comfort and safety, and address social and emotional needs.
Ohio State Veterans Home at Georgetown
Ohio State Veterans Home at Sandusky
Eligibility for Admission to Ohio State Veterans Homes:
To be considered for care, Veterans must satisfy the following requirements:
- Must have lived in Ohio for at least one year at any point in their life
- The latest discharge must be either Honorable or General Under Honorable Conditions
- Must have served on active duty (not just training) during a time of war or declared armed conflict, or have been awarded the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or the Vietnam Service Medal
- Must have a disability caused by illness, injury, or other conditions that prevents them from maintaining gainful employment
Employment and Job Training Benefits for Ohio Veterans
Ohio National Guard Pay for State Active Duty
Members of the Ohio National Guard activated for state duty receive the same pay and allowances as their active-duty U.S. Armed Forces counterparts of the same grade and service time. They are guaranteed at least $75 per day in base pay.
Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities (OOD)
OOD supports residents with disabilities by helping them secure and maintain employment. The agency works with employers, schools, and nonprofits to create personalized job plans, empowering individuals to achieve greater independence.
Reinstatement Rights for State Employees After Military Service
Ohio state employees returning from active duty are entitled to reinstatement to their former or a similar position if they:
- Were honorably discharged or released in honorable status
- Submit a written request for reinstatement within required timelines:
- Less than 30 days of active duty: request immediately upon release
- 31–180 days: request within 14 days
- More than 180 days: request within 90 days
Health Care and Pay Supplements for State Employees
- State employees on federal active duty may continue or reinstate health benefits by paying their share of premiums, with the state covering its portion.
- Reserve component state employees may qualify for pay supplements to cover the difference between their state salary and military pay, up to their regular state pay level.
Ohio Veteran Hiring Preference
- Veterans with an Honorable Discharge who served at least 180 days on active duty receive a 20% score boost on Ohio civil service exams.
- Current reserve component members in good standing who have completed entry-level training receive a 15% score boost.
Educator Licensing Benefits
The Ohio Department of Education waives educator license fees for Veterans, Service members (including Guard/Reserve), and their spouses. Other benefits include:
- One-Year Out-of-State License – for incoming teachers to begin work while completing Ohio requirements.
- Military License Extensions – licenses are extended during periods of active duty.
- Alternative Licensure Routes – credit for professional experience and academic achievements.
- Temporary Military License – available for active-duty members and spouses stationed in Ohio with valid out-of-state licenses.
- Troops to Teachers Program – assists Veterans and Service members in transitioning to careers as Ohio educators.
OhioMeansJobs Licensing Support
Veterans and their spouses can use OhioMeansJobs resources to understand licensing and certification requirements for civilian careers.
Ohio Veteran Career Information Center
Provides employment and career resources grouped into:
- Career benefits
- Employment and entrepreneurship
- Licensing, education, and training
- Additional support services
Federal Veteran Hiring Preferences
Federal civil service offers additional exam and hiring points for Veterans:
- 5-point preference: for wartime service, certain campaign periods, or qualifying operations.
- 10-point preferences: available to disabled Veterans, Purple Heart recipients, and eligible family members of disabled or deceased Veterans.
Points vary depending on disability rating and service history.
USERRA Protections
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) safeguards Service members’ civilian jobs and benefits:
- Reemployment Rights: Service members must be rehired with the same seniority, pay, and benefits they would have earned.
- Disability Accommodations: Employers must make reasonable efforts to accommodate service-connected disabilities.
- Health and Pension Coverage: Continuation of health care for up to 24 months during service; pension plans remain protected.
- Eligibility: Applies to Veterans, Guard, and Reserve members who leave civilian jobs for training or active duty.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) enforces USERRA rights, including for federal employees.
Burials and Memorials
It’s important to make sure your wishes regarding burial in a national cemetery and the use of a VA-provided headstone are clearly documented and stored with your personal papers and medical records.
The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors eligible Veterans and their families by ensuring a dignified resting place and a permanent memorial recognizing the Veteran’s service to the nation.
Burial benefits include a gravesite in any national cemetery with available space, opening and closing of the grave, perpetual maintenance, a government-issued headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate—all provided at no cost to the family. Certain Veterans may also qualify for a burial allowance. Cremated remains receive the same honors as casketed remains and are placed in national cemeteries with equal respect and care.
These benefits also extend to eligible spouses and dependents, who may be laid to rest with the Veteran, with ongoing care of the gravesite. The headstone will include the spouse’s or dependent’s name along with their birth and death dates at no charge. Notably, spouses and dependents remain eligible for burial even if they pass before the Veteran and may be interred in a different national cemetery if desired.
National Cemeteries include:
Cleveland: Woodland Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot
Columbus: Camp Chase Confederate Cemetery
Dayton: Dayton National Cemetery
Sandusky: Confederate Stockade Cemetery
Seville: Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery
Ohio VA Benefit Resources
Veterans in Ohio have access to a Regional Benefits Office as well as VA Medical Centers for their care and support needs.
Ohio VA Regional Benefits Office
- Cleveland: Cleveland Regional Office
Ohio VA Medical Centers
- Chillicothe: Chillicothe VA Medical Center
- Cincinnati: Cincinnati VA Medical Center
- Cleveland: Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center
- Columbus: Chalmers P. Wylie Ambulatory Care Center
- Dayton: Dayton VA Medical Center
Key Information on Ohio Veteran Benefits
If you are applying for VA benefits in Ohio for the first time, you will need to provide a copy of your DD Form 214 (discharge document). This record verifies your discharge status, complete name, Social Security number, branch of service, and service dates. Veterans with honorable or general discharges are typically eligible for most VA benefits.
It is essential to store your discharge papers and medical records securely in a place accessible to you and your family, such as a safe, to prevent loss, damage, or tampering.
Eligibility for most VA benefits depends on separation from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable. Active duty includes full-time service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or service as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Veterans discharged under “Dishonorable” conditions due to bad conduct from a general court-martial are generally ineligible for VA benefits. However, certain benefits may still be available to Veterans who are incarcerated or on parole. VA regional offices can assist in determining eligibility for those with multiple discharges under different conditions or for individuals currently serving prison or parole sentences.
Information current as of December 2023
Ohio Veterans Benefits
Disabled Veterans in Ohio 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 review your case to see if you’re eligible for more support.
