Louisiana State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

100% State Benefits – Louisiana

Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including: https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/louisiana-state-veterans-benefits.html

Visit the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website for more detailed information: https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/

Louisiana State Veterans Homes

For more information, visit: https://www.nasvh.org/state-homes/statedir.cfm

Your eligibility for State Veterans Homes is based on clinical need and setting availability.

Each State establishes eligibility and admission criteria for its homes.

Talk with a VA social worker about the eligibility requirements of State Veterans Homes near you and to figure out a plan for paying for State Veterans Home care services.

Veterans Homes Locations:

Eligibility:
For admission to a Louisiana State Veterans Home, a veteran must be a resident of the state of Louisiana, with an other-than-dishonorable discharge. Applicants who have income will be expected to pay for their care.

Spouses and Gold Star parents are eligible if they meet basic qualifying criteria.

State Veterans Cemetery

For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=LA

National Veterans’ Cemeteries:

Louisiana National Cemetery 303 W. Mount Pleasant Road Zachary, LA 70791 Burial Space: Open	Phone: 225-654-1988 Fax: 225-654-1989
Port Hudson National Cemetery 20978 Port Hickey Road Zachary, LA 70791 Burial Space: Cremation Only	Phone: 225-654-1988 Fax: 225-654-1989

State Veterans Cemeteries:

Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 3348 University Parkway Leesville, LA 71446 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 337-238-6405 Fax: 337-238-6448
Northeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 2413 Hwy 425 Rayville, LA 71269 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 318-728-4346 Fax: 318-728-5921
Northwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 7970 Mike Clarke Road Keithville, LA 71047 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 318-925-0612 Fax: 318-925-5521
Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 34888 Grantham College Drive Slidell, LA 70460 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 985-646-6458 Fax: 985-646-6481
Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery 1620 Evangeline Road Jennings, LA 70546 VA Grant Funded: Yes	Phone: 337-246-7094 Fax: 337-246-7096

Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is like Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states.

Louisiana Veteran Financial Benefits

Income Tax

Up to $50,000 active-duty pay is tax-free if stationed out-of-state for 120 consecutive days or more.

Retired pay and SBP payments are tax-free.

Louisiana Homestead Tax Exemption

Visit the following website for more information: https://veteran.com/louisiana-veterans-benefits/

The Louisiana Homestead Tax exemption equals $7,500 of a homestead’s assessed value ($75,000 of market value) and can be claimed for up to 160 acres as long as the home is an owner-occupied property.

According to the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs, “in parishes in which the voters have elected to adopt the policy, the amount of the homestead exemption is doubled to $15,000 of a home’s assessed value ($150,000 of market value) for property owned by a military veteran having a service-related disability rating of 100% as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.”

This exemption is also available for property owned and occupied by the surviving spouse of a qualifying service member.

Consult the local assessor’ office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is often required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link:
https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Property Tax Exemptions

Visit the following website for more information: https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefits/

Exempts from ad valorem tax, property receiving the homestead exemption which is owned and occupied by a veteran with a service-connected disability rating of 100%.

Surviving spouses are also eligible for this exemption if the exemption was in effect on the property prior to the death of the veteran and the surviving spouse remains the owner of the property.

Consult the local assessor’s office for detailed requirements regarding these exemptions.

Annual refiling is often required.

Find your local tax assessor at this link:
https://www.publicrecords.onlinesearches.com/Assessor-and-Property-Tax-Records.htm

Military Family Assistance (MFA) Fund

Visit the following website for more information and to apply:
https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefit/military-family-assistance-fund/

For more information, you may call toll free 1-877-432-8982.

This benefit can provide financial support to Louisiana veterans and their families when they experience financial hardships. The MFA can pay up to $10,000 for one claim per active-duty order in a 12-month period. Applicants must submit a completed application to Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs and include all required supporting documentation, as certain criteria applies. The MFA is funded 100% by private donations from individuals and corporations.

Eligibility:

To qualify for assistance from the MFA Fund, Veterans and activated military applicants must meet certain minimum active-duty service requirements, and have been honorably discharged. Immediate family members of eligible Veterans and activated military personnel may also qualify. Completed applications must include all supporting documents requested on the form.

National Guard Death & Disability Benefit

For more information and to apply visit the following website:
https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefits/

Louisiana National guardsmen suffering a permanent and total disability while on federal or state active duty on or after Sep. 11, 2001, or the beneficiary of record of those killed in action may qualify for a $250,000 death or $100,000 disability benefit from the State of Louisiana.

Qualifications for this program include:

Louisiana state resident
Current member of the Louisiana National Guard or Reserves OR
Veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Louisiana National Guard or Reserves) with a discharge of “Honorable” or “Under Honorable Conditions”
Veterans must have completed 24 months of continuous active-duty, other than active duty for training; Completed at least 90 days of active duty and has been discharged under the specific authority of 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173, or has been determined to have a service connected disability
Received a discharge with less than 90 days of service for a service connected disability

NOTE: This is a “payer of last resort” program, meaning that the applicant must exhaust other avenues of aid or assistance before applying.

Louisiana Veteran Employment Benefits

State Employment

Visit the following website for more information:
https://jobs.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Veterans/VeteransInfo.aspx

Louisiana state and city civil service departments award a 5-point preference to honorably discharged veterans and 10 point preference to honorably discharged service connected disabled veterans.

Spouses of veterans who are rated VA unemployable as well as un-remarried widows of deceased veterans and Gold Star parents are also eligible for this preference.

Some restrictions apply for eligibility.

Required documentation:

DD214
Letter from Veterans’ Administration documenting service-connected disability, if claiming 10 points, dated within last six months

For claimants OTHER THAN the eligible veteran:

Claim Form for Veterans Preference for Spouse/Parent
Death certificate, if applicable
Marriage certificate, if applicable

Testing Exemptions for Veterans

An appointing authority may fill a vacancy by probational appointment or job appointment of a veteran of the armed forces who has been honorably discharged from active duty within the previous twelve months without the appointee’s attainment of any Civil Service test scores normally required, provided the appointee meets the Minimum Qualifications of the job. The veteran must have been honorably discharged and have served at least 90 days of active service for purposes other than training. An appointing authority may make an offer to an active member of the armed forces, but the effective date of the appointment cannot be prior to the discharge date.

If you have any questions concerning this rule, please feel free to contact the Testing and Recruiting Center at (225) 925-1911.

Transfer of Military Skills to Civilian Employment

Visit the following website for more information:
https://jobs.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Veterans/VeteransInfo.aspx

Individuals with military training and experience can get a corresponding professional license or certification if they had a military occupational specialty that qualified them for that license.

Louisiana Educational Benefits

Louisiana offers a wide variety of Educational Benefits to resident veterans and their dependents.

State Educational Benefits can be used in conjunction with the National Educational Benefits (DEA)

Visit the following link for a full list: https://www.vetaffairs.la.gov/benefits/

Louisiana Title 29 Dependents Educational Assistance

This state benefit provides educational assistance to surviving spouses of deceased or disabled war veterans. The benefit also includes children of veterans with at least a 90% service-disabled rating and children of war veterans who have a 100% disability rating due to individual un-employability.

The benefit provides students with exemption of tuition and select fees. It is good for four years of schooling to be completed in not more than five years, or until the student reaches the age of twenty-five. There is no age limit for a surviving spouse. Student utilizing this benefit must attend on a full-time basis.

To apply for Title 29 contact your local Parish Veterans Service Office. For additional information you may also visit the LDVA website.

Eligible students will receive a Fee Exemption Certificate from the Louisiana Department of Veteran Affairs. You must submit the original certificate to our office to receive the exemption.

The deceased veteran must have been a resident of Louisiana for at least 12 months immediately preceding entry into service. The living veteran must have lived in the state for at least 24 months prior to the child being admitted into the program.

The surviving spouse has 10 years to use the benefit, the child must be between the ages of sixteen and twenty-five to be eligible.

Louisiana Veteran Recreation Benefits

Free Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans

For more information and application, visit the following website: https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/special-licenses-and-permits

Disabled veterans classified with a service-connected permanent disability, rated 50% or higher and who are Louisiana residents can get hunting and fishing licenses free of charge.

Includes Basic and Saltwater Fishing Licenses; Basic, Deer, Waterfowl, and Turkey
Hunting Licenses; and the WMA Access Permit
Does not include the Federal Duck Stamp

Documents needed:

Valid Driver’s License
Proof of Disability
Application

Submit the applications in person at: LDWF Headquarters at 2000 Quail Drive in Baton Rouge during normal business hours, 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday.

You can also apply via email or mail.

Email it to lifetime@wlf.la.gov. Scan and attach the application and all required documents to your email. Licensing staff will contact applicants by phone to collect payment (if applicable) by credit card.
Mail it to the address below with all required documents and, if applicable, a check, money order, or cashier’s check for your license fees:

LDWF
Attn: Sports License
PO Box 98000
Baton Rouge, LA 70898-9000.

Application forms are available below. Call 225.765.2887 for more information.

Free and Discounted Admission to State Parks

For more information, visit the following website: https://www.lastateparks.com/special-ratesdiscounts

Disabled veterans, as well as everyone in the same vehicle as them, are exempt from paying the day-use entrance fee to any Louisiana state park.

Eligible veterans may apply for the permit by contacting their local parish veterans service office. Click here for contact information for the parish offices.

Additional Park Discounts:

MILITARY – 15% off all rentable facilities. Good any day of the week; available to active duty and retired military, National Guard, and reservists. Not for use on Tentrr reservations
Active duty members plus one additional family member get half off admission to state parks.