Tennessee State Benefits for 100% Disabled Veterans

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:

https://www.tn.gov/veteran/

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: 

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.
Parkers Crossroads, TN 38388

VA Grant Funded: Yes

Phone:

731-967-4127

Fax:
731-967-4130

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.