Summary: Montana offers special benefits for its military service members and veterans including Property Tax Exemptions, Montana National Guard Tuition Scholarship Program, Education and Tuition Assistance, Point Preference or Alternative Preference in Initial Hiring, Vehicle Tags, as well as Hunting and Fishing License privileges. Eligibility for some benefits may depend on residency, military component, and veteran disability status.
State Benefit Highlights and Eligibility
State Taxes:
Retired Military Pay: The first $3,600.00 of retired military pay is exempt from income tax; Survivor benefits are taxed following federal tax rules.
Military Disability Retired Pay:
Disability Portion - Length of Service Pay; Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless combat incurred. Retired Pay - Based solely on disability: Member on September 24, 1975 - No tax; Not Member on September 24, 1975 - Taxed, unless all pay based on disability and disability resulted from armed conflict, extra-hazardous service, simulated war, or an instrumentality of war.
VA Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation: Not subject to federal or state taxes
Certain Disabled or Deceased Veterans' Residences Exempt: A residence, including the lot on which it is built, that is owned and occupied by a veteran or a veteran's spouse is exempt from property taxation. The exemption or reduction applies to the land up to five acres in size, veteran's residence, and one attached or detached garage. Additional buildings do not receive the reduction or exemption. The application form and supporting documentation must be returned to the local Department of Revenue office before April 15th or no exemption or reduction can be allowed. Application must be made annually with proof of income and a letter of eligibility for the VA. If the disability rating is permanent, a letter of eligibility need only be submitted once. Property qualifying under sub-section is taxed at the rate provided in Montana Code 15-6-134, (2) (a) multiplied by a percentage figure based on income and determined from the following table:
Income |
Income |
Percentage |
Single Person |
Married Couple |
Multiplier |
$0 - $34,051 |
$0 - $40,861 |
0% |
$34,052 - $37,456 |
$40,862 - $44.266 |
20% |
$37,457 - $40,861 |
$44,267 - $47,671 |
30% |
$40,862 - $44,266 |
$47,672 - $51,076 |
50% |
Eligibility: The veteran was killed while on active duty or died as a result of a service-connected disability; or, if living, was honorably discharged from active service in any branch of the armed services and is currently rated 100% disabled or is paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. department of veterans affairs for a service-connected disability, as verified by official documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The property tax exemption under this section remains in effect as long as the property is the primary residence owned and occupied by the veteran or, if the veteran is deceased, by the veteran's spouse and the spouse:
(a) is the owner and occupant of the house;
(b) is unmarried; and
(c) has obtained from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs a letter indicating that the veteran was rated 100% disabled or was paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for a service-connected disability at the time of death, or that the veteran died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected disability.
Property qualifying under subsection (3) is taxed at the rate provided in Montana Code 15-6-134, (2)(a) multiplied by a percentage figure based on income and determined from the following table (Montana Code15-6-211):
Income |
Percentage |
Surviving Spouse |
Multiplier |
$0 - $28,376 |
0% |
$28,377 - $31,781 |
20% |
$31,782 - $35,186 |
30% |
$35,187 - $38,591 |
50% |
Education Benefits:
Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver Account Program: Tuition waivers are provided at the units of the University of Montana system.
Eligibility: Waivers are available only to wartime veterans who are no longer eligible for VA educational benefits and who are Montana residents as well as for orphans or children of veterans who died in service or died of service incurred disabilities. The period of eligibility begins on the child's 18th birthday. If this person serves on active duty in the armed forces between his 18th and 23rd birthdays, then the period of eligibility is extended to five years after his discharge or release from such active duty. In no event can the period of eligibility be extended beyond the 31st birthday.
Montana National Guard Scholarship Program: Funding for the current state biennium (1 July 2007 thru 30 June 2009) has been approved by the State Legislature. DMAMT Circular 621 - the regulation that governs the scholarship program has been updated and distributed to unit level. Soldier should complete Sections I and II of the application form upon acceptance or enrollment in a qualifying program and forward it to their unit full-timer for further processing. Payment will be made once grades are received by the office.
National Guard Tuition Assistance: All Active drilling members of the Montana Army National Guard in good standing receive the following: ARNG Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA). The Army National Guard is currently funding Federal Tuition assistance at 100% of a member's tuition and authorized fees. This is further limited by semester/quarter/clock hour caps and annual (fiscal year) limitation. FTA is paid upfront and directly to the school after ADD/DROP date. For current rates and to apply go to: www.virutalarmory.com. To apply for ACES TA for AGR's go to: www.goarmyed.com.
Eligibility: National Guard service members.
National Guard Education Benefits: All eligible members of the Reserves and National Guard are eligible for the Reserve Montgomery Bill as well as additional state-funded educational benefits. In most cases, both the Reserve Montgomery GI bill and the Active Duty GI bill may be used at the same time with state educational programs. It should be noted that state benefits are subject to available funds and it is not unusual for a state to suspend benefits when funding runs out. Montana allows 75% reduction of Montana state schools or $500 per semester with a $1000.00 cap per individual per state fiscal year for a fulltime student (12 credits or more) attending a Montana state Institution of higher learning or VA approved Montana training program in an undergraduate/degree-granting program and having their Commander's recommendation.
Eligibility: Soldiers who are within 10 years from the date they became eligible (after initial entry training) with at least a six year Reserves commitment (must have enlisted in the Guard/Reserves for a minimum of six years) and have completed their initial active duty training (basic training and Technical School/AIT/A-School and remain in a drill status (one weekend per month and two weeks per year).
Fee Waiver for Children of Deceased Veterans: Waiver of fees (depends on tuition at the school). These fee waivers are only available at: Montana State University at Billings, Bozeman, and Northern; the University of Montana at Missoula; Montana Tech of the University of Montana, the University of Montana College of Technology at Missoula; Western Montana College of the University of Montana; Montana State University College of Technology at Billings and Great Falls and Helena College of Technology of the University of Montana.
Eligibility: Children of Montana residents deceased from service in WWII, Korea, or Vietnam.
Fee Waiver for Honorably Discharged Veterans: Waiver of fees (depends on tuition at the school). These fee waivers are only available at: Montana State University at Billings, Bozeman, and Northern; the University of Montana at Missoula; Montana Tech of the University of Montana, the University of Montana College of Technology at Missoula; Western Montana College of the University of Montana; Montana State University College of Technology at Billings and Great Falls; and Helena College of Technology of the University of Montana.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged Montana residents who served during wartime and are ineligible for financial aid under federal laws.
Dependents of POW/MIAs: Waiver of fees (depends on tuition at the school). These fee waivers are only available at: Montana State University at Billings, Bozeman, and Northern; the University of Montana at Missoula; Montana Tech of the University of Montana, the University of Montana College of Technology at Missoula; Western Montana College of the University of Montana; Montana State University College of Technology at Billings and Great Falls; and Helena College of Technology of the University of Montana.
Eligibility: Dependent of Montana resident who has been declared by SECDEF to be a POW, missing or captured in connection with the conflict in Southeast Asia after 1/1/91.
Charges for Tuition: The regents may prescribe tuition rates, matriculation charges, and incidental fees for students in institutions under their jurisdiction. The regents may waive nonresident tuition for selected and approved nonresident students, not to exceed at any unit 2% of the full-time equivalent enrollment at that unit during the preceding year. However, when necessary, tuition may be waived in excess of 2% of unit enrollment for nonresident students who enroll under provisions of any WICHE-sponsored state reciprocal agreements that provide for the payment, when required, of the student support fee by the reciprocal state.
Eligibility: Residents of Montana who served with the armed forces of the United States in any of its wars and who were honorably discharged from military service; children of residents of Montana who served with the armed forces of the United States in any of its wars and who were killed in action or died as a result of injury, disease, or other disability incurred while in the service of the armed forces of the United States; the spouses or children of residents of Montana who have been declared to be prisoners of war or missing in action; or the spouse or children of a Montana national guard member who was killed or died as a result of injury, disease, or other disability incurred in the line of duty while serving on state active duty. (Montana Code 20-25-421); waive tuition for up to $5,000 credits each academic year in accordance with the Montana national guard education benefit program which the department of military affairs is authorized to establish. The waivers provided for in this subsection (2)(e) are intended to be available for up to 5 years after the person qualified (Effective July 1, 2011).
Horatio Alger Military Scholarship: This scholarship was launched in 2005 and reported to be the first national scholarship specifically for Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans. The Horatio Alger Association will distribute a total of $10 million in scholarships to honorably discharged American veterans who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan. The deadline for application is September 1. The $5,000 scholarships are to be paid directly to the schools in $1,250 increments over four years. More information on the scholarships, including online application, is available at: www.horatioalger.com/scholarships_military/index.cfm
Eligibility: Veterans must have served in Afghanistan or Iraq in 2001 or later and must demonstrate U.S. citizenship, financial need, and the intent to purse bachelor's degrees.
Employment Benefits:
Point Preference or Alternative Preference in Initial Hiring: Subject to the restrictions in subsections (2) and (3), whenever a public employer uses a scored procedure, an applicant for an initial hiring, as defined in Montana Code 39-30-103, must have added to the applicant's score the following percentage points of the total possible points that may be granted in the scored procedure:
(a) 5 percentage points if the applicant is a veteran; and
(b) 10 percentage points if the applicant is a disabled veteran or an eligible relative.
(2) A veteran, disabled veteran, or eligible relative may not receive the percentage points provided for in subsection (1) unless the person:
(a) is a United States citizen; and
(b) meets the minimum qualifications required for the position. If no applicant meets the minimum qualifications and the public employer fills a training position, veterans' preference must be applied.
(3) A disabled veteran who receives 10 percentage points under subsection (1) (b) may not receive an additional 5 percentage points under subsection (1)(a).
(4) Whenever a public employer uses a selection procedure other than a scored procedure, the public employer shall give preference to a disabled veteran, eligible relative, or veteran, in that order, over any non-preferred applicant holding substantially equal qualifications, as defined in Montana Code 39-30-103.
Eligibility: A veteran, disabled veteran, or eligible relative. Montana Code 39-29-102
Employment Assistance: Public employees receive 15 days military leave per year.
Eligibility: Public employees on orders for Annual Drill.
HireVetsFirst: A federal program matching employers needs with employment needs of America's veteran's. Include Career Centers, Transition Assistance programs, Resume Writers and specialized assistance for the disabled Veteran.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans.
Special Vehicle License Plates:
Active military personnel, veterans, or the surviving spouse of an eligible veteran, if the spouse has not remarried, may be issued special military or veteran license plates. Special military or veteran license plates may not be issued for a motorcycle, quadricycle, travel trailer, trailer, semi-trailer, or pole trailer. Special military or veteran license plates bearing a wheelchair as the symbol of a person with a disability may be issued to a person who meets the qualifications under 61-3-332(9) and this section. Upon application, after paying all applicable motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or pole trailer registration fees and special license plate fees and providing an official certificate from the applicant's Unit Commander verifying the individual's eligibility and authorizing the department to issue the plates to the individual, eligible military personnel may be issued one set of special military license plates as provided in this subsection. (Montana Code 61-3-458)
Montana National Guard Plate: A member of the Montana National Guard who is a state resident may be issued special license plates with a design or decal displaying the letters "NG". However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department when the member becomes ineligible.
Reserve Armed Forces Plate: A member of the reserve Armed Forces of the United States who is a state resident may be issued special license plates according to the member's branch of service verified in the application, with a design or decal displaying one of the following: United States Army Reserve, AR (symbol); United States Naval Reserve, NR (anchor); United States Air Force Reserve, AFR (symbol); or United States Marine Corps Reserve, MCR (globe and anchor). However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department when the member becomes ineligible.
Regular Armed Forces Plate: An active member of the Regular Armed Forces of the United States who is a state resident may be issued special license plates inscribed with a symbol signifying the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, or United States Coast Guard, according to the member's branch of service verified in the application. However, the member shall surrender the plates to the department upon becoming ineligible.
Special Vehicle License Plates for Veterans and Spouses: Motor vehicle registration fee and veterans' cemetery fee waivers - Some people are exempt from all motor vehicle fees, as well as the veteran's cemetary fee (provided in 61-3-459), for two sets of special veteran license plates. These license plates are to be used fortwo motor vehicles that are not used for commercial purposes.
The following persons are eligible for the waiver provided in subsection: (a) a veteran who was a prisoner of war who presents official documentation from the U.S. Department of Defense verifying the veteran's status, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried;
(b) a veteran who is currently rated 100% disabled or is paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for a service-connected disability, as verified by official documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried;
(c) a veteran determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to be 50% or more disabled because of a service-connected injury and who has been awarded the Purple Heart, as verified by official documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the veteran's military service record issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, or the veteran's surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried. Hoever, in this case, the veteran or the surviving spouse shall pay the veterans' cemetery fee as provided for in 61-3-459;
(d) the surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried, of a military service member killed while on active duty as verified in official documentation issued by the U.S. department of defense; and
(e) the surviving spouse, if the spouse has not remarried, of a military service member or veteran who died of a service-connected injury or disability as determined by and verified in official documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. (Montana Code 61-3-460)
Eligibility: An eligible veteran can be issued any set, and more than one set, of the special license plates that the member requests and is eligible to receive (Montana Code 61-3-458). The applicant must have proper identification and a Department of Defense form 214 (DD-214) or its successor, documents showing an other-than-dishonorable discharge, or a reenlistment verifying the applicant's eligibility. The applicant must pay the veterans' cemetery fee specified in 61-3-459 and all applicable motor vehicle, trailer, semi-trailer, or pole trailer registration fees under this chapter, subject to the provisions of 61-3-460.
Armed Forces Veteran Plate: A veteran may be issued special license plates displaying the word "VETERAN" and a symbol signifying the United States Army, United States Navy, United States Air Force, United States Marine Corps, or United States Coast Guard, according to the veteran's service record verified in the application.
National Guard Veteran Plate: A member or a former member of the Montana National Guard eligible to receive a military retirement may be issued special license plates displaying the Montana National Guard insignia and the words "National Guard Veteran".
Ex-Prison of War Plate: A veteran who was captured and held prisoner by the military force of a foreign nation may be issued special license plates with a design or decal displaying the words "ex-prisoner of war" or an abbreviation that the department considers appropriate.
Pearl Harbor Survivor Plate: If the veteran was a member of the United States Armed Forces on December 7, 1941, and during the hours of 7:55 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. (Hawaii time) was on station at Pearl Harbor on the island of Oahu or was offshore from Pearl Harbor at a distance of not more than 3 miles, the veteran may be issued special license plates designed to show that the veteran is a survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. $10 annual fee required.
Purple Heart Plate: A veteran who has been awarded the Purple Heart may be issued special license plates with the Purple Heart decal displaying the words "combat wounded". $10 annual fee required.
Legion of Honor Plate: A person who is a member of the Legion of Valor may be issued special plates displaying a design or decal depicting the recognized Legion of Valor Medallion. $10.00 annual fee required.
100% Disabled Veteran: A veteran may be issued special license plates displaying the letters "DV", which entitles the veteran to the parking privileges allowed to a person with a special parking permit issued under Title 49, chapter 4, part 3. The veteran must have been awarded the purple heart and have been rated by the U.S. department of veterans affairs as 50% or more disabled because of a service-connected injury, or the veteran must be currently rated 100% disabled or paid at the 100% disabled rate by the U.S. department of veterans affairs for a service-connected disability.
Health and Insurance Benefits:
Medical Benefits: Workers compensation equivalent to State employees.
Eligibility: Injury or illness occurs while incurred in Line of Duty (LOD).
Group Insurance: Montana Officer/Enlisted Association members and Montana National Guard Association offers $5,000.00/$2.00 month; $15,000.00/$5.33 month; $30,000.00/$10.34 month; $50,000.00/$17.00 month. Insurance also offered for family members.
Eligibility: Member of Army/Air National Guard.
Workers Compensation: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees.
Eligibility: Injury occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Injury/Death Benefits: Workers Compensation equivalent to State employees less any VA payments received.
Eligibility: Injury/Death occurs while serving on State Active Duty.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses:
Hunting and Fishing Privileges: Persons with disabilities are entitled to fish and to hunt game birds, not including turkeys, with only a conservation license. A person who is certified as disabled and who was issued a permit to hunt from a vehicle for license year 2000 or a subsequent license year is automatically entitled to a permit to hunt from a vehicle for subsequent license years, if the criterion for obtaining a permit does not change. A resident of Montana who is certified as disabled by the department and who is not residing in an institution may purchase a Class A-3 deer A tag for $6.50 and a Class A-5 elk tag for $8. A resident of Montana who is certified by the department as experiencing blindness, as defined in 53-7-301, may be issued a lifetime fishing license for the blind upon payment of a one-time fee of $10. The license is valid for the lifetime of the blind individual and allows the licensee to fish as authorized by department rule. An applicant for a license under this subsection need not obtain a wildlife conservation license as a prerequisite to licensure. A person who is certified by the department as experiencing blindness, as defined in 53-7-301, may be issued regular resident deer and elk licenses, in the manner provided in subsection (2), and must be accompanied by a companion, as provided in subsection. A Montana resident who is a member of the Montana national guard or the federal reserve as provided in 10 U.S.C. 10101 or who was otherwise engaged in active duty and who participated in a contingency operation as provided in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13) that required the member to serve at least 6 months outside of the state, upon request and upon presentation of the documentation described in subsection (12)(b), must be issued a free resident wildlife conservation license or a Class AAA resident combination sports license, which may not include a bear license, for $29.00, plus the resident hunting access enhancement fee provided for in 87-2-202(3)(c), in the license year that the member returns from military service or in the year following the member's return, based on the member's election, and in the license year after the member's election. A member who participated in a contingency operation between September 11, 2001, and February 28, 2006, that required the member to serve at least 6 months outside of the state may make an election in 2006 or 2007 and be entitled to a free resident wildlife conservation license or a $25.00 Class AAA resident combination sports license in the year of election and the license year after the member's election.
Eligibility: Residents of Montana not residing in an institution and are certified as disabled as prescribed by departmental rule. To be eligible for the resident wildlife conservation license or reduced-rate Class AAA resident combination sports license provided for in subsection (12)(a), an applicant shall, in addition to the written application and proof of residency required in 87-2-202(1), provide to any regional department office or to the Department Headquarters in Helena, by mail or in person, the member's DD form 214 verifying the member's release or discharge from active duty. The applicant is responsible for providing documentation showing that the applicant participated in a contingency operation as provided in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13). (Montana Code 87-2-803)
Miscellaneous Benefits:
Mileage Reimbursement: Reimbursement for automobile mileage at approved Joint Travel Regulation rates.
Eligibility: National Guard service member while serving on State Active Duty.
Veterans' Clubhouse Exemption -- Incompetent Veterans' Trusts: A clubhouse or building erected by or belonging to any society or organization of honorably discharged United States military personnel that is used primarily for educational, fraternal, benevolent, or purely public charitable purposes rather than for gain or profit, together with the personal property necessarily used in the building, is exempt from taxation. The exemption provided for in this section applies even if a business, intended primarily for the use of the members, is required to be open to the public and is operated in a portion of the building. All property, real or personal, in the possession of legal guardians of incompetent veterans of U.S. military service or minor dependents of the veterans, when the property is funds or derived from funds received from the United States as pension, compensation, insurance, adjusted compensation, or gratuity, is exempt from all taxation as property of the United States while held by the guardian, but not after title passes to the veteran or minor in the minor's own right on account of removal of legal disability. (Montana Code15-6-203)
State Veterans' Cemeteries: A cemetery must be located at Fort William Henry Harrison in Lewis and Clark County, Montana and at Miles City. A cemetery may be located in Missoula County and in Yellowstone County if funding allows. The board may establish additional state veterans' cemeteries only as funding allows and may designate a veterans' cemetery established pursuant to 7-35-2205 as a state veterans' cemetery if certain conditions apply.
Eligibility: Any veteran who was a resident of the state of Montana at the time of death. The interment benefits are not available in the case of a veteran whose personal representative or heirs waive the benefits. (Montana Code 10-2-501) The following documents are required:
- Copy of Death Certificate
- Discharge Papers (DD214 or equivalent)
- Burial transit permit for full body burial or cremation certificate (provided by Mortuary)
- Headstone application: There is a $115 charge to set the headstone at the Montana state Veterans Cemetery in Helena. The county of residence will pay $30 and the family will be responsible for the remaining $85.00. The charge to set the headstone at the Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery is $70.00 and the family will be responsible for the remaining $40.00. Out-of-state residents must pay the full charge for setting the headstone.
$250.00 Interment Allowance: There is a payment of $250.00 made by the county in which the veteran was a resident at the time of his death. The County Commissioners make the determination as to residency. This can be paid to any such resident veteran who dies when he is termporarily absent from the State on account of illness, on temporary employment or vacationing.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veteran who reside in Montana.
State Veteran's Home: The institutions at Columbia Falls and in eastern Montana are the Montana veterans' homes and their primary function is to provide a home and subsistence for veterans. The department of public health and human services may also admit spouses or surviving spouses of veterans to the homes if spaces allows.
Eligibility: Honorably discharged veterans.
Recording of Discharges: Veterans receive free recording and copies of discharge papers by clerks of the court.
Eligibility: Military veterans with DD214.
Military Installations and Veterans Affairs Facilities in Montana
Active Duty:
Army
No active duty Army installations are located in Montana.
Air Force
Malstrom Air Force Base: http://www.malmstrom.af.mil/
Malstrom AFB provides services for DEERs enrollment and Military ID cards. Additional services also include a Base Exchange, Commissary, Medical and Dental Facilities, Family Services and many more.
National Guard:
Montana National Guard Joint Headquarters: http://dma.mt.gov/default.asp
Montana Army National Guard: http://www.montanaguard.com/RR%20benefits.html
Montana Air National Guard: http://www.mtgrea.ang.af.mil/
United States Army Reserve (USAR):
Regional Readiness Command (RRC) Headquarters, 96th RRC: http://www.usarc.army.mil/96thrsc/
Veterans Administration (VA) Medical Facilities in Montana:
VA Medical Center
Fort Harrison: VA Montana Health Care System
Community Based Outpatient Clinics
Anaconda: Anaconda Outpatient Clinic
Ashland: Lame Deer VA Clinic
Billings: Billings Outpatient Clinic
Bozeman: Bozeman Outpatient Clinic
Glasgow: Glasgow Outpatient Clinic
Great Falls: Great Falls Outpatient Clinic
Kalispell: Kalispell Outpatient Clinic
Miles City: Miles City Outpatient Clinic / Nursing Home
Missoula: Missoula Outpatient Clinic
Sidney: Sidney Outpatient Clinic (Montana)
Resources
http://www.dphhs.mt.gov/index.shtml
http://www.dma.mt.gov/mvad/functions/state.asp
http://www.goang.com/benefits/state/default.aspx?stateprovince=Montana
http://www1.va.gov/directory/guide/home.asp?isFlash=1
http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/outreachpublic/mt.html
Document Review Date: 16 April 2008
