Summary: Nevada offers special benefits for its military service members and veterans including: state employment preferences, education and tuition assistance, vehicle tags, disabled veteran tax exemption, veteran cemetery plots, as well as hunting and fishing license privileges. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component and veteran disability status. Any veteran, family member of a veteran or Nevada resident on active duty can receive free assistance in filing a claim with the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs for a service-connected disability or other benefit program. Assistance includes help in filing claims, representation at local hearings, appeals and discharge upgrades. For further information, contact a Veteran Service Officer at:1) 1201 Terminal Way, Room 215, Reno, NV 89502, (775) 688-1653; or, 2) 950 W. Owens St., Suite 111, Las Vegas, NV 89106, (702) 636-3070.
State Benefit Highlights and Eligibility
State Taxes:
State Tax Advantage: Nevada does not have a state income tax.
Veterans Tax Exemption: An annual tax exemption is available to any veteran. Veterans may "donate" their exempted tax directly to the Nevada Veterans' Home Gift Account, which will help in the operation of the State Veterans' Home.
Eligibility: A veteran with wartime service or soldier who has been called into active duty and engaged in full-time National Guard duty 10 U.S.C. Section 101 (d) (5). Qualifying dependents are eligible for the exemption if they reside at the same home or dwelling in Nevada as the member and are related by blood, adoption or marriage to the member within the first degree of consanguinity or affinity to the member (spouse or children). To obtain this exemption, take a copy of your DD214 or discharge papers to your local County Assessor. The exemption can be applied to a veteran's vehicle privilege tax or real property tax. To obtain the exact amount of this benefit, contact your County Assessor.
Disabled Veteran Tax Exemption: Nevada offers a property tax exemption. The amount of exemption available to disabled veterans varies from $6,250.00 to $22,000.00 of assessed valuation, depending on the percentage of disability and the year filed. This exemption can be applied to a veteran's vehicle tax or personal property tax. To determine the actual value of this benefit or to obtain further information, contact the local County Assessor's office.
Eligibility: Any veteran with a service-connected disability of 60% or more, have an honorable separation from the service and be a resident of Nevada. The widow or widower of a disabled veteran, who was eligible for this exemption at the time of his or her death, may also receive this exemption.
Retirement Income: Not taxed.
Sales Tax Exemption: Vendors selling tangible personal property to eligible members and their qualifying dependents are authorized to sell to them tax exempt. Documentation adequate to prove the purchase was made by a qualifying member of the Nevada National Guard who is engaged in full-time National Guard duty and has been called into active service must be provided. This exemption only applies to Nevada sales/use tax and does not provide exemption from any other tax.
Eligibility: Member of the Nevada National guard who is engaged in full-time National Guard duty and has been called into active service.
Education Benefits:
National Guard Tuition Waiver Program: The University of Nevada System provides 100% tuition waiver, excluding some laboratory and university fees, to all current and newly recruited members of the Nevada National Guard at all state universities and community colleges. There is no limit on number of credits taken.
Eligibility: Available for traditional classroom education only and students/National Guard member must maintain a 2.0 GPA per semester.
Nevada National Guard Educational Encouragement Fund: Reimbursement may be made for up to 50% of the tuition paid by the member and will be based on classes completed with a " C" or better at selected accredited Nevada institutions for undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs.
Eligibility: National Guard service member.
Veterans Tuition Assistance: 50 percent of all fees paid at state universities or community colleges.
Eligibility: Army Reserves and National Guard service member.
College Tuition Fees: Those active duty service members and their families will be exempt from university fees while permanently stationed on a military facility within Nevada.
Eligibility: Member of the Armed Forces of the United States, on active duty, stationed in Nevada as a result of a permanent change of duty station pursuant to military orders, or a person whose spouse, family or legal guardian is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in Nevada as a result of a permanent change of duty station pursuant to military orders.
Employment Benefits:
Civil Service Preference: Civil service preference is given to veterans applying for state employment in Nevada.
Eligibility: Veterans and veterans with service-connected disabilities receive additional preference.
Employment Assistance: State employees receive 15 calendar days of military leave each year.
Eligibility: National Guard service member.
On-Line Employment Applications (NV APPS): The Nevada Department of Personnel will accept on-line employment application. This system will allow the veteran the ability to conveniently search and apply for job openings on-line, store applicant profile information and submit application electronically. The system also allows for position vacancies to be announced on a daily basis.
Special Vehicle License Plates:
Nevada Veteran License Plates: Veterans may purchase a license plate set displaying the word VETERAN from a local Nevada Division of Motor Vehicles office.
Eligibility: Any veteran or his or her spouse, parent or child may purchase a veteran license plate. The applicant certifies that he qualifies by signing the Veteran License Plate Application. Initial cost for veteran plates with a standard number is $61. The annual renewal fee is $30. The initial cost for personalized versions is $96. The annual renewal is $50. $25 of the initial fee and $20 of the annual renewal fee are given to the Nevada Veterans' Home Gift Account.
National Guard License Plate: A National Guard License Plate for an initial fee of $6.00 and no annual renewal fee.
Eligibility: An active National Guard service member with written certification from Commanding Officer.
Congressional Medal of Honor Plate: Free of charge Congressional Medal of Honor Plate license plate.
Eligibility: Congressional Medal of Honor service member with documented proof from the Department of Veterans Affairs when submitting DMV application.
Disabled Veteran Plate: Free of charge Disabled Veteran Plate and exempts vehicle from Nevada state and local parking fees.
Eligibility: A 100% disabled veteran whose disability results from causes connected with service in the Armed Forces of the United States.
POW Plate Tag: Free of charge Prisoner of War license plate and exempts vehicle from Nevada state and local parking fees.
Eligibility: Must have been a Prisoner of War to be eligible for POW plate. Proof of POW status from Department of Veterans Affairs must be provided before plates can be issued.
Purple Heart Tag: Free of charge Purple Heart license plate.
Eligibility: Must be Purple Heart recipients Proof of Purple Heart award must be provided from Department of Veteran Affairs before plates can be issued.
Pearl Harbor Survivors & Veterans Tag: Free of charge Pearl Harbor Survivors & Veterans plate.
Eligibility: Must be a survivor or veteran of Pearl Harbor conflict. Proof must be provided from Department of Veteran Affairs before plates can be issued.
Health and Insurance Benefits:
Group Insurance: National Guard Association offers term life insurance $500.00 - $50,000.00 for members; $500.00 - $25,000.00 for spouse and $1.00-$10,000.00 for children.
Eligibility: National Guard service member.
Injury and Death Benefits: Medical care plus professional assistant during incapacitation.
Eligibility: National Guard service member on state active duty.
Injury: Worker's Compensation
Eligibility: National Guard service member on state active duty.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses:
Hunting and Fishing Privileges: The State of Nevada Wildlife Division will issue free hunting fishing licenses.
Eligibility: Any honorably separated veteran who has a service-connected disability of 50% or more documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Guardianship Program: Nevada state law permits the Nevada Office of Veterans' Services to act as the financial guardian.
Eligibility: Incompetent veterans, their widows and children.
Nevada Veterans' Home: A State-owned and operated veterans' home is located in Boulder City. The 82,000 square foot facility accommodates 180 residents and consists of an extended care facility for veterans in need of skilled nursing home care. Services include Rehabilitation, occupational and speech therapy; dental, vision and podiatry care program; IV therapy; Palliative care programs; Laboratory and Pharmacy services; Radiology/Diagnostic services; dietary services; and social services. Two levels of secured care are included for those suffering from Alzheimer's or other demential related illnesses. Future plans call for a Veterans Home in Northern Nevada.
Eligibility: For admission information, see the Veterans Home webpage or call (702) 332-6864. Applicants must have a military discharge other than dishonorable; be a spouse of a veteran who meets the above requirement or a Gold Star parent; must be a current resident of Nevada or provide verification of Nevada residency at the time of enlistment in the military; not require medical care that the Home is unable to provide and not exhibit traits that may prove dangerous to the applicant, residents, staff or visitors.
Veteran Cemetery Plots: Veterans and members of their immediate family may be buried at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley or at the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City. There is no charge for the plot, vault and opening & closing of a gravesite for a veteran. Headstones are provides at no cost by the federal government. Military honors are provided by military units, however, a cemetery staff member can assist in making these arrangement. A $350 fee (subject to change) is charged for the burial of the spouse or dependent of a veteran.
Eligibility: A veteran of the Armed Forces and a resident of Nevada.
Nevada Public Records: Veterans or their dependents filing claims for service-connected disabilities may receive a one-time free copy of their birth, divorce, death or marriage certificate from the appropriate county courthouse. Discharge certificates are recorded free of charge to eligible veterans by County Recorders.
Eligibility: Veterans who have been discharged from serving in any component of the Armed Forces.
Disabled Parking Privileges: The State of Nevada authorizes special parking permits for physically disabled persons. Applications are available at the local DMV office of can be obtained by contacting the DMV Special Plate Section at (775) 684-4750 in Carson City.
Military Installations and Veterans Affairs Facilities in Nevada
Active Duty:
Army
No active duty Army installations are located in Nevada.
Air Force
Nellis Air Force Base: http://www.nellis.af.mil/highlights.htm
Services include ID cards and DEERS enrollment as child care, Base Exchange, commissary, officer club, enlisted club, theater, bowling center and air terminal
Navy
Naval Air Station Fallon, NV: http://www.navy-lodge.com/united_states/nevada/fallon.html
Services include child care, ID card and DEERS enrollment, Navy Exchange, commissary, Navy exchange mini-mart and video auto port, Gym, officer club, theater, bowling center and air terminal.
National Guard:
Nevada National Guard Joint Headquarters: http://www.nv.ngb.army.mil/
Nevada Army National Guard: http://www.nv.ngb.army.mil/army/index.cfm
Nevada Air National Guard: http://www.nv.ngb.army.mil/air/
United States Army Reserve (USAR):
Regional Readiness Command (RRC) Headquarters, 63rd RRC: http://www.armyreserve.army.mil/USARC/RRC/0063RRC
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities in Nevada:
VA Medical Centers
Nellis AFB: Mike O'Callagan Federal Hospital
Las Vegas: VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System (VASNHS)
Reno: VA Sierra Nevada Health Care System
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
Ely: Ely Outpatient Clinic/William B. Ririe Hospital
Fallon: (will be operational mid-2007)
Henderson: Henderson
Las Vegas: Las Vegas - MASH
Pahrump: Pahrump Medical Center
Resources
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1
http://www.goang.com/benefits/state/default.aspx?stateprovince=Nevada
http://www.veterans.nv.gov/NOVS/Veterans%20Benefits.html
http://tax.state.nv.us/guard_news.htm
http://www.veterans.nv.gov/NSVH/NSVH.html
Document Review Date: 17 April 2008
