State Benefits

The Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs

Is a state agency which assists veterans, service personnel, their dependents, and survivors. The Director and employees of the Department endeavor to obtain any benefit or advantage due any of the above under the laws of the United States, the State of Indiana, or any other state or government agency, by reason of the person's military service. The Department has a network of county veterans officers in each county throughout the state which are staffed with certified personnel who can provide information and assist with the filing of claims at no charge.

Blind Persons, Hearing Impaired Persons

Privileges for Guide Dogs. A totally or partially blind person, a hearing impaired person, or a physically disabled person is entitled to be accompanied by a guide dog, especially trained for the purpose, in any public accommodation without being required to pay an extra charge for the guide dog. A person who refuses access to any public accommodation because a person is accompanied by a guide dog commits a Class C infraction.
Reference: IC 16-32-3-2.

Burial Allowances

Authorizes County Commissioners to pay up to $100 for burial costs of veterans or their spouses and up to $100 for the setting of a federal headstone in the county of burial. Veterans must have received an honorable discharge. Applications must be filed with the County Auditor in county of residence.
Reference: IC 10-5-3-1.

State Veterans Cemetery

In 1995 Indiana established a State Veterans Cemetery which will be constructed on the grounds of Madison State Hospital in Jefferson County. A veteran who is eligible to be buried in a national cemetery to be buried in the State Veterans Cemetery. The spouse of an eligible veteran is also eligible to be buried in the State Veterans Cemetery.
Reference: IC 10-5-25.

Discharge Separation Papers

An Indiana resident discharged from any branch of the U.S. military may have his/her discharge recorded with the county recorder and will receive a certified copy of the discharge without charge. The document becomes public record. Inquire at your County Recorder.
Reference: IC 10-5-4-1 and IC 10-5-4-3.

Educational Benefits to State Supported Universities, Colleges

Any person, regardless of age, who has lived in the state of Indiana for more than one year preceding application and who possesses the requisite academic qualifications, and whose mother or father served in the Armed Forces of the United States during specified wartime dates and:

Who was wounded, gassed, or disabled as evidenced by Defense Department records; or
Who is suffering from a service-connected disability as evidenced by the veteran's records; or
Who received the Purple Heart Medal (documentation required), shall be entitled to a partial remission of tuition at Indiana supported colleges and universities for a period of four years. Provisions also exist for certain children of any person who was a resident of Indiana at the time of entry into the Armed Forces of the United States was classified as a POW or MIA after January 1, 1960. The child(ren) may be entitled to 124 credit hours at a state supported college or university. Information and application forms are available from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs or the Financial Aid Office at the state supported school.

Reference: IC 20-12-19-1 and IC 10-5-16-5-3.

Employment, State Merit System

Provides for awarding of points for state merit positions for veterans when the veteran has a verified DD 214 who served on active duty in any branch of the armed forces who at no time received a discharge or separation under other than honorable conditions. The provision also applies to the spouses of veterans.
Reference: IC 4-15-2-18.

License Plate, Disabled (Handicapped) Veterans

A specially designed plate for motor vehicles for certain disabled (handicapped) veterans who are sightless, have loss of the use of one arm or both arms; or one leg or both legs; or have a physical condition that necessitates a handicapped plate because of the veteran's service-connected disability. Applications may be obtained from the license branch or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Verification of eligibility is made by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
Reference: IC 9-18-18-1 IC 9-18-18-2 IC 9-18-18-3.

License Plate, Ex-Prisoner of War

A specially designed license plate is available which designated the vehicle as being owned by an EX-POW. Applications may be obtained from the license branch or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Verification of eligibility is made by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
Reference: IC 9-18-17-1.

License Plate, Purple Heart

A specially designed license plate is available which designates the vehicle as being owned by a recipient of the Purple Heart Medal (official documentation required.) Applications may be obtained from any license branch or the Department of Veterans Affairs. Verification of eligibility is made by the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.
Reference: IC 9-18-19-1 IC 9-18-19-2 IC 9-18-19-3.

Military Records, DD 214

See Military Records section under Federal Benefits.

Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

Certain disabled veterans may use the unused portion of their real estate and personal property tax exemptions toward the excise taxes on motor vehicles, annually. Forms and information are available through the Count Auditor and the local branch of the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
Reference: IC 6-6-5-5.

Tax Deduction for Partially Disabled Veterans

Veterans with ten percent service-connected disability and wartime service may qualify for a property tax deduction. Filings should be made with the County Auditor before May 11th. Spouses also may be entitled. May be combined with other deductions.
Reference: IC 6-1.1-12-13 and IC 6-1.1-12-15.

Peddlers, Vendors License

Vendor, Hawker and Peddler's license shall be issued without charge by all Indiana cities and counties to any wartime veteran with an honorable discharge. Inquire at the County Auditor's Office.
Reference: IC 25-25-2-1.

Soldiers & Sailors Children's Home, Knightstown

The home provides for the care and educational needs of children of veterans and the children of current members of the active Armed Forces, or other relations of veterans if space is available, and whom are in indigent circumstances. Eligibility and applications are available from the Superintendent, ISSCH:
11410 N State Road 140
Knightstown, IN 46148-9718
Phone: 317-345-5141.
Reference: IC 16-33-4-1 through IC 16-33-4-22.

Tax Deductions for Spouses of World War 1 Veterans

Spouses of veterans who served prior to November 12, 1918 may qualify for a tax deduction. Remarried spouses generally are not entitled. Filing should be made with County Auditor before December 31st.
Reference: IC 6-1.1-12-16 and IC 6-1.1-12.17.

Tax Deductions for Totally Disabled or Partially Disabled, Over 62 Veterans

Veterans who are totally disabled and in receipt of a pension, or are 62 and at least ten percent service-connected disabled, are eligible for a property tax deduction. Filings should be made with County Auditor before December 31st. Spouses also may be eligible. May be combined with other deductions.
Reference: IC 6-1.1-12-14 and IC 6-1.1-12-15.

Tax Deduction for Persons Over Age 65

Any person over the age of 65 who owns real estate is entitled to a property tax deduction. Veterans using other deductions may not be entitled to this deduction. Must file with County Auditor before December 31st, annually.
Reference: IC 6-1.1-12-9.

Note: Some persons may qualify for more than one of the above tax deductions. Please consult with the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs office or your County Auditor.