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Almost 36% of Idaho’s veterans receive VA disability compensation according to the latest data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but many still struggle to access or increase their VA benefits. Find out what veteran benefits you could be entitled to, based on a specific rating or your family situation.

Beyond federal benefits, Idaho’s state programs can save disabled veterans and their families thousands of dollars a year. The biggest financial benefit is Idaho’s Property Tax Benefit for Disabled Veterans. Idaho also waives vehicle registration fees, offers reduced-cost hunting and fishing licenses to qualifying veterans, and many more benefits.

This guide helps disabled veterans and their families learn about the programs and resources available to them in the state of Idaho. It explains the requirements for each benefit and how to access them.

Tax Exemptions and Financial Assistance

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating can get significant property tax relief. Idaho also has a general property tax reduction program that may benefit veterans with lower ratings.

Property Tax Benefit for Disabled Veterans

Idaho veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating (or receiving 100% compensation due to Individual Unemployability) can reduce their property taxes by up to $1,500 per year on their home and up to one acre of land. There is no income limit for this benefit.

  • Available to Idaho resident homeowners with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating as of January 1 of the tax year.
  • The exemption reduces property taxes by up to $1,500, or the actual property tax amount, whichever is less.
  • Apply between January 1 and April 15 each year through the Idaho State Tax Commission or your county assessor.
  • If a qualifying veteran passes away, the surviving spouse continues to receive the full benefit until they remarry or no longer occupy the home.

Property Tax Reduction (Circuit Breaker Program)

Veterans who don’t meet the 100% disability threshold may still qualify for Idaho’s general Property Tax Reduction program if they are disabled, age 65 or older, or meet other qualifying criteria.

This program reduces property taxes by $250 to $1,500 on a sliding scale based on income. The 2026 income limit is $39,130 (after deducting medical expenses). Apply between January 1 and April 15 each year. Learn more about the Property Tax Reduction program.

Other Tax Exemptions

VA disability compensation is not taxed in Idaho. Veterans age 65 or older (or disabled veterans age 62 or older) may also deduct retirement benefits, reduced by any Social Security or Tier 1 Railroad Retirement benefits received. Find out more.

Transportation Benefits

Do Veterans Pay for Vehicle Registration in Idaho?

Veterans receiving VA compensation for a 100% service-connected disability pay no registration fee on one vehicle. This exemption also applies to veterans with loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, one or both hands, or permanent impairment of vision in both eyes to the degree of virtual blindness.

The exemption follows the veteran if they purchase a new vehicle (one vehicle at a time). It does not apply to vehicles with a gross weight over 26,000 pounds and veterans who do not qualify for the full exemption must pay standard registration fees. Find out more.

Getting Disabled Veteran License Plates in Idaho

Idaho offers free Disabled Veteran license plates to veterans with a 100% permanent service-connected disability rating. The plates are issued at no charge for one vehicle. Veterans who are also Purple Heart recipients can choose a Service-Connected Disabled Purple Heart plate instead.

The disabled veteran plate qualifies the veteran to apply for a free handicap parking placard (Form ITD 3392) through the county DMV office, though separate medical certification is required. Find out more.

Education Benefits

Do Disabled Veterans Get Free Tuition in Idaho?

Idaho does not offer a general tuition waiver to disabled veterans. However, the University of Idaho’s Operation Education Scholarship Program provides support to veterans who sustained a permanent disability while serving after September 11, 2001. The program covers tuition, books, fees, on-campus housing, transportation, childcare and adaptive equipment. Spouses of qualifying veterans may also be eligible. Find out more.

Does Idaho Offer Scholarships to Veterans’ Dependents?

Children and spouses of Idaho service members who were killed in action, determined individually unemployable by the VA, or determined totally and permanently disabled by the SSA qualify for the Armed Forces and Public Safety Officer Dependent Scholarship. This scholarship covers:

  • Full waiver of tuition and fees at Idaho public colleges and universities
  • Up to $750 per semester for books
  • On-campus housing and subsistence
  • Up to 36 months of benefits

The veteran must have been an Idaho resident when entering service, and the dependent must have graduated from an Idaho high school (or equivalent). Benefits must begin within 10 to 19 years after high school graduation or the qualifying event, whichever period is longer. Find out more.

Employment Benefits

Idaho State Veterans Hiring Preference

When applying for state government jobs, honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points added to their passing examination score. Disabled veterans with a 10% or higher service-connected disability (or Purple Heart recipients) receive 10 points.

Unremarried widows or widowers of qualifying veterans receive 5 or 10 points, depending on whether the veteran was disabled. Spouses of service-connected disabled veterans who cannot qualify for public employment due to their disability also receive 10 points. Find out more.

Idaho also guarantees an interview for disabled veterans with a 30% or higher service-connected rating who place among the top 25 qualified applicants. This preference applies to initial appointment only and does not extend to promotions or transfers. Veterans may also qualify for federal veterans’ preference for federal positions.

Professional Licensing for Veterans

Idaho’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licenses (DOPL) offers several benefits for veterans. Military training and experience count toward professional license requirements, and applications are processed within 15 business days. Active duty service members are exempt from all professional license and renewal fees, and separating service members have their licenses extended for six months after discharge. Find out more.

Veteran-Owned Business Resources

Idaho does not have a state-level veteran-owned business preference for state procurement. However, veteran entrepreneurs can pursue federal certification as a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) through the U.S. Small Business Administration, which provides access to federal contracting set-asides. The U.S. Department of Labor Veterans’ Employment and Training Service also offers career guidance and job placement resources.

Recreation Benefits

Spending time outdoors is often therapeutic for veterans dealing with physical or mental health challenges. Idaho offers several programs for disabled veterans to enjoy the state’s natural beauty at reduced or no cost.

Are Idaho State Parks Free for Disabled Veterans?

Yes. Idaho resident veterans with a 100% P&T disability rating qualify for a free Veteran Pass that covers day-use entrance fees and individual campsite fees at all Idaho State Parks. Note that being compensated at 100% alone does not qualify; the rating must be permanent and total.

The pass does not cover cabins, yurts, lodges, group camps, or advance reservation fees. There is a 14-night limit within any 30-day period. Veterans can apply online or by mail with a VA letter confirming their P&T status. Find out more.

Does Idaho Offer Disabled Veterans Discounts on Fishing and Hunting Licenses?

Yes. Idaho offers reduced-fee hunting and fishing licenses to both resident and nonresident veterans with a service-connected disability rating of 40% or higher.

Idaho resident disabled veterans can purchase a DAV Combination Hunting and Fishing License for just $5.75, with reduced-fee big game tags available: deer ($10.75), elk ($16.50), bear ($6.75) and turkey ($10.75). Nonresident disabled veterans can purchase a DAV Hunting License with 3-Day Fishing for $31.75, with reduced-fee tags also available. Find out more.

Disabled Veterans Special Big Game Tag Program

Idaho Fish and Game and the Idaho Division of Veterans Services jointly administer a special program that awards five free big game tags each year to Idaho resident disabled veterans. Tags are valid for deer, elk, pronghorn, black bear or mountain lion. Recipients are exempt from all licensing requirements.

Applications are accepted January 2 through January 31 each year. Contact the Idaho Division of Veterans Services at (208) 780-1308 or email idvs@veterans.idaho.gov for application details.

Healthcare Benefits

Access to quality medical care is the most critical need for most disabled veterans. The primary healthcare hub for veterans in Idaho is the Boise VA Medical Center at 500 West Fort Street, Boise, ID 83702. The VA Boise Healthcare System also operates community-based outpatient clinics in Caldwell, Mountain Home, Salmon and Twin Falls.

Veterans in northern Idaho are served by the Coeur d’Alene VA Clinic and the Bonner County VA Clinic (in the town of Kootenai) under the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center in Spokane. Learn more about federal healthcare benefits for Idaho veterans.

Idaho State Veterans Homes

Idaho operates four state veterans homes providing skilled nursing, memory care, rehabilitation and hospice services to eligible veterans. Admission requires honorable discharge, at least 90 days of active service and Idaho residency. Wartime veterans receive priority admission, and spouses of eligible veterans may also qualify.

  • Boise Veterans Home: 320 Collins Road, Boise, ID 83702 | (208) 780-1600
  • Lewiston Veterans Home: 821 21st Avenue, Lewiston, ID 83501 | (208) 750-3600
  • Pocatello Veterans Home: 1957 Alvin Ricken Drive, Pocatello, ID 83201 | (208) 235-7800
  • Post Falls Veterans Home: 590 S. Pleasant View Road, Post Falls, ID 83854 | (208) 415-3430

All four homes are Medicare and Medicaid certified and offer skilled nursing and memory care services. Find out more.

Burial and Survivor Benefits

Idaho operates two state veterans cemeteries providing burial options for eligible veterans, their spouses and dependents. Burial options include in-ground casket burial, columbarium wall niches, in-ground urn burial and cremation scatter gardens. There is no Idaho residency requirement. Find out more.

  • Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Boise: 10100 N. Horseshoe Bend Road, Boise, ID 83714 | (208) 780-1340
  • Idaho State Veterans Cemetery, Blackfoot: 2651 Cromwell Lane, Blackfoot, ID 83221 | (208) 701-7161

For eligible veterans, the VA covers the cost of the grave plot, opening and closing of the grave, and an inscribed granite headstone or marker. All sites are double plots shared by the veteran and their spouse. Veterans and their spouses can pre-register for burial eligibility at no cost and with no obligation.

Surviving spouses and dependents of Idaho veterans are eligible for death and burial benefits, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, and accrued benefits. Learn more about getting survivor benefits.

Federal Benefits Available to Idaho Veterans

In addition to Idaho’s specific benefits, disabled veterans also get a wide range of federal VA disability benefits, including:

  • Monthly tax-free compensation payments based on disability rating (calculate it here)
  • Medical care, including mental health services and counseling
  • Home loans and housing benefits
  • Vocational rehabilitation and employment services
  • Education benefits through the GI Bill
  • Survivor benefits
  • Federal hiring preference

Eligibility for some of these benefits depends on the disability rating percentage. Use the links below to see what federal benefits disabled veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

Idaho veterans with a 100% disability rating receive the highest level of federal VA benefits, including:

  • Full monthly VA compensation
  • Full VA healthcare coverage
  • Dental care
  • Adaptive equipment grants

See all federal benefits for a 100% disabled Idaho veteran →

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits for Spouse and Dependents

Spouses and family members of 100% disabled veterans may also be able to get several benefits:

  • CHAMPVA healthcare  
  • DIC eligibility  
  • Education benefits  
  • Continued property tax exemption  
  • Access to Idaho state resources

Benefits for Toxic Exposure

Veterans who served at contaminated military bases or who were exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits, or other environmental hazards may qualify for additional VA benefits. Bases in or near Idaho with known toxic exposure issues include:

If you served at a different base or in a different state, check the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map.

Getting VA Disability in Idaho

Getting through the VA disability claims process can be tricky, but there are local and national resources to help guide you. These resources include local veteran organizations, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys.

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Idaho: Free Guide

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. And it’s yours free of charge. We also offer a free ebook for easy, immediate access.

Idaho State Assistance and Resources

Help from Experienced Lawyers

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent Idaho veterans who were denied or underrated by the VA, with no upfront costs. Contact us for a free evaluation – even if we don’t take your case, we’ll point you in the right direction!