Tennessee State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans
100% State Benefits – Tennessee
Note: Information for this document was gathered from various sources including:
https://www.military.com/benefits/veteran-state-benefits/tennessee-state-veterans-benefits.html
Visit the Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs website for more detailed information:
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:
- TENNESSEE STATE VETERANS HOME – HUMBOLDT HUMBOLDT, TENNESSEE
- TENNESSEE STATE VETERANS HOME – KNOXVILLE KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE
- TENNESSEE STATE VETERANS HOME-CLARKSVILLE CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE
- TENNESSEE VETERANS HOME – MURFREESBORO MURFREESBORO, TENNESSEE
Eligibility:
Tennessee residents or natives are eligible for admission. Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents may also be eligible for admission.
There is a cost.
State Veterans’ Cemeteries
For more detailed information visit: https://www.cem.va.gov/find-cemetery/state.asp?STATE=TN
National Veterans Cemeteries:
| Chattanooga National Cemetery 1200 Bailey Ave. Chattanooga, TN 37404 Burial Space: Open | Phone: 423-855-6590 Fax: 423-855-6597 |
| Knoxville National Cemetery 939 Tyson St. NW Knoxville, TN 37917 Burial Space: Cremation Only | Phone: 423-855-6590 Fax: 423-855-6597 |
| Memphis National Cemetery 215 Heroes Drive Mountain Home, TN 37684 Burial Space: Open | Phone: 901-386-8311 Fax: 901-382-0750 |
| Mountain Home National Cemetery 215 Heroes Drive Mountain Home, TN 37684 Burial Space: Open | Phone: 423-979-3535 Fax: 423-979-3521 |
| Nashville National Cemetery 1420 Gallatin Rd. S Madison, TN 37115 Burial Space: Cremation Only | Phone: 615-860-0086 Fax: 615-860-8691 |
State Veterans Cemeteries:
| Tennessee Department of Veterans Services 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue Nashville, TN 37243 VA Grant Funded: N/A | Phone: 615-741-2345 Fax: 615-741-5056 |
| East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery – Gov. John Sevier Hwy 2200 E. Gov. John Sevier Hwy 168 Knoxville, TN 37920 VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: 865-577-3228 Fax: 865-594-5181 |
| East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery – Lyons View Pike 5901 Lyons View Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: 865-577-3228 Fax: 865-594-5181 |
| Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery 7931 McCrory Lane Nashville, TN 37221 VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: 615-532-223 |
| Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads 693 Wildersville Rd. VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: Fax: |
| West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery 4000 Forest Hill-Irene Road Memphis, TN 38125 VA Grant Funded: Yes | Phone: 901-543-7005 Fax: 901-543-7141 |
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.
Financial Benefits
Disabled Veterans Property Tax Relief
For more information, visit the following website: https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-benefits/tn-state-benefits/homeowners/property-tax-relief-for-disabled-veterans.html
Property tax relief for certain 100% disabled veterans for up to $175,000 of the property’s assessed value.
Eligibility:
To receive tax relief as a disabled veteran, one of the following categories must be met:
1. A service-connected disability that resulted in:
a) Paraplegia OR
b) Permanent paralysis of both legs and lower part of the body resulting from traumatic injury or disease to the spinal cord or brain; OR
c) Loss, or loss of use of, two (2) or more limbs; OR
d) Legal blindness
2. A service-connected permanent and total disability or disabilities, as determined by the United States Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
3. A 100% total and permanent disability rating from being a prisoner of war.
4. Must own and use property as primary residence. The maximum market value on which tax relief is calculated is $175,000.
For more information on the changes to the Property Tax Relief Program read Public Chapter No. 1065.
How to Apply:
To apply for this benefit please contact the County Trustee’s office in your county. Use the Tennessee Trustee website to find your County Trustee contact information.
Surviving Spouse:
The property tax relief is extended to the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran who, at the time of the disabled veteran’s death, was eligible for disabled veterans’ property tax relief, as long as the surviving spouse:
(1) Does not remarry;
(2) Solely or jointly owns the property for which tax relief is claimed; and
(3) Uses the property for which tax relief is claimed exclusively as a home.
1. Must own and use property as primary residence. The maximum market value on which tax relief is calculated is $100,000
Click here to view Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury Property Tax Relief Fact Sheet.
NOTE: 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
County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-benefits/tn-state-benefits/motor-services/county-motor-vehicle-privilege-tax.html
Any former POW or 100% permanent and total disabled veteran is exempt from the county motor vehicle privilege tax.
Evidence of disability, such as a Summary of Benefits letter, should be submitted to the officer in the county charged with the responsibility for collecting such tax.
Contact your local tax assessor for more information about how to file for this tax exemption.
Free Disabled Decal for Disabled Veteran Drivers
For more information, visit the following website: https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-benefits/tn-state-benefits/motor-services/free-disabled-decal.html
Veteran motorists previously defined as disabled drivers according to TCA Section 55-21-102, may apply and receive a free disabled driver decal which may be added to the existing specialty plate. To apply for a decal please visit the Tennessee Department of Revenue for details.
Disabled Veteran License Plate
For more information, visit the following website: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/revenue/title-and-registration/license-plates/available-license-plates/military-and-memorial/disabled-veteran.html
Disabled veterans with a 100% rating can receive a free license plate for their vehicle
Documentation Required: A letter from the federal Department of Veteran Affairs verifying that the veteran was rated permanent and totally disabled with an effective date.
Cost: None for first plate. Second plate – $26.50 annual fee (initial fee is $28.15). Subsequent plates – $26.50 annual fee (initial fee is $29.80).
Vehicle Classes: Passenger, Motorcycle
Highways for Heroes Program
For more information on the Highways for Heroes Program and a link to the application, please visit the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security website .
The road skills test may be waived for qualified military personnel applying for a Tennessee Commercial Driver License (CDL). Applicants, however, are required to pass the applicable CDL knowledge test.
Eligibility:
Qualified active-duty military personnel who held a military operator’s permit for the past two years are eligible for the basic road skills test waiver. This applies to current National Guard and military Reserve Personnel as well as Veterans who have been discharged within the last year.
Tennessee Veteran Employment Benefits
State Employment
The following employment benefits are available in Tennessee:
- Veterans’ preference in state employment
- Credit for military service in state employment
- Reemployment rights of public employees
The TEAM Act improves Veteran preference for preferred service jobs. Veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for open state preferred positions are guaranteed an interview. Preferred Service employees hold a position in an agency in the state service, in which the employee has successfully completed the requisite probationary period. Employees in Preferred Service have a streamlined appeals process for appreciation of a law, rule or policy by an agency which results in dismissal, demotion, or certain suspensions.
Find out how to register for preferred positions.
Tennessee Veteran Education Benefits
Tennessee 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.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-education.html
Dependents Tuition Waiver
Visit the following website for more information: https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-education/scholarships/dependents/dependents-tuition-waiver.html
This program covers the full cost of college at Tennessee state colleges for survivors of veterans killed in action or died because of injuries suffered in war. Children must be under the age of 23.
To be eligible for these benefits, the parent must have been a Tennessee resident at the time of death. The dependent child or spouse must present a certificate from the United States Government, and he/she cannot be receiving benefits under Public Law 634 or such other Federal Laws offering like or similar benefits and must meet the above requirements.
Notice of the waiver program must be published in the institutional catalogs and class schedules.
We recommend that you contact the institution you wish to attend to see if they participate in the Dependent Tuition Waiver Program and to determine if you are eligible.
Helping Heroes Grant
Visit the following website for more information and applications: https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/money-for-college/tn-education-lottery-programs/helping-heroes-grant.html and https://www.tn.gov/content/tn/collegepays/tsac-student-portal.html
The Helping Heroes Grant is established and funded from the net proceeds of the state lottery and awarded to US veterans who were honorably discharged or who are a former or current member of a reserve or TN National Guard unit.
The award amount is $1,000 per semester for a student who enrolls in twelve (12) or more semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall receive $500 per semester for enrolling in six (6) to eleven (11) semester hours in an eligible program of study. The student shall not receive an award if enrolled in fewer than six (6) semester hours.
Veterans Upward Bound
For more information and participating campus locations, visit the following website: https://www.tn.gov/veteran/veteran-education/tn-leap.html
Veterans Upward Bound is designed to motivate and assist veterans in the development of academic and other requisite skills necessary for acceptance and success in a program of postsecondary education. The program provides assessment and enhancement of basic skills through counseling, mentoring, tutoring and academic instruction in the core subject areas. The primary goal of the program is to increase the rate at which participants enroll in and complete postsecondary education programs.
Tennessee Veteran Recreation Benefits
Disabled Veteran Hunting & Fishing License
Free hunting and fishing licenses for 100% permanently disabled veterans or those with a 30% disability due to war service. There is a one-time fee of $10.
Link to application: To apply
Mail application with check or money order to:
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency
P.O. Box 41729
Nashville, TN 37204-1729
If paying by credit card, you may:
• FAX your application to 615-837-4262
• EMAIL it to twra.miscapplication@tn.gov
Camping in State Parks
A Tennessee veterans’ discount for camping within our state parks is available during the off-season, (December 1 through February 28/29). The discount is 50% off our standard nightly base rates depending on the type of site chosen. Premium sites excluded. This camping discount is available to Tennessee residents showing proof of prior military duty.
A 50% discount off camping fees will be extended to all Tennessee resident veterans with a 100% total service-connected disability. Premium campsites are excluded.
All veteran discounts require proof of prior military duty. Acceptable ID’s for proof of eligibility include:
- VA benefits card
- Retired military ID, or
- DD-214.
AND
- Proof of residency which would simply be a TN driver’s license or vehicle registered in Tennessee.
Free Day
On Veterans Day, camping and golf greens fees are free at state campgrounds and golf courses.
