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28% of Kansas veterans receive VA disability compensation, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, but the state offers much more than monthly payments and VA healthcare.

Kansas has state programs that help disabled veterans save on property taxes, vehicle registration, hunting and fishing licenses and education costs.

Kansas veterans benefits include property tax refunds for veterans with a 50% or higher permanent disability rating, education scholarships, hiring preference, free license plates, and more.

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

Tax Exemptions and Financial Assistance

Do disabled veterans pay property taxes in Kansas? Kansas does not offer a full property tax exemption for disabled veterans, but it does provide two property tax refund programs. Veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability also receive additional income tax and sales tax benefits.

Property Tax Relief for Disabled Veterans (K-40SVR)

Kansas veterans with a 50% or greater permanent service-connected disability can claim the Property Tax Relief for Seniors and Disabled Veterans (Form K-40SVR). This program refunds the difference between a base-year property tax amount and the current year’s tax, effectively freezing property taxes at the level they were when the veteran first became eligible.

  • Available to Kansas resident homeowners with a 50% or greater permanent service-connected disability.
  • Household income must be $58,041 or less, and home appraised value must be $350,000 or less in the base year. Social Security disability payments are excluded from income; 50% of Social Security retirement benefits are also excluded.
  • If a qualifying veteran passes away, the surviving spouse continues to receive the refund until they remarry.

File Form K-40SVR between January 1 and April 15 each year through the Kansas Department of Revenue.

Homestead Refund (K-40H)

Veterans who don’t qualify for the K-40SVR may be eligible for the standard Homestead Refund (Form K-40H). This program provides a refund of up to $700 for Kansas resident homeowners with a 50% or greater permanent disability and household income of $43,389 or less. Only one program (K-40SVR or K-40H) can be claimed per year. Find out more.

Income Tax Exemptions

Military retirement pay is fully exempt from Kansas state income tax. VA disability compensation is also tax-free at both the federal and state level. Veterans with a 100% permanent and total disability receive an additional personal exemption of $2,320, reducing their state income tax.

Sales Tax Exemption (Effective July 1, 2026)

Starting July 1, 2026, Kansas residents with a 100% permanent and total disability (or deemed totally unemployable) will be exempt from state sales tax on purchases up to $24,000 per year. Motor vehicles, alcohol and tobacco are excluded.

Veterans must apply to the Kansas Department of Revenue for an exemption card. Surviving spouses of eligible veterans may continue using the exemption until they remarry. Find out more.

Transportation Benefits

Do Veterans Pay for Vehicle Registration in Kansas?

Kansas veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability are eligible for one free Disabled Veteran license plate with no registration fee on one vehicle. Additional vehicles with DV plates pay standard registration fees.

Vehicle personal property tax is still owed on all vehicles, including the one with the free plate. There is no sales tax exemption for vehicle purchases and disabled veterans also do not receive toll exemptions on the Kansas Turnpike.

Disabled Veteran License Plates in Kansas

Kansas offers two types of Disabled Veteran plates: one without a wheelchair emblem and one with the international symbol of access. Both require a 50% or higher service-connected disability rating. The wheelchair-emblem plate additionally requires medical certification and provides access to designated disability parking spaces.

Both plate types allow free metered parking with no time limits and free parking in attended public lots. Apply using Form TR-103 through your county treasurer’s office. Find out more.

Education Benefits

Kansas offers several education benefits for veterans and their families. These state benefits can stack with federal GI Bill education benefits. All veterans using federal education benefits receive in-state tuition rates at Kansas public institutions regardless of how long they have lived in the state.

Can Disabled Veterans and Their Dependents Get Free Tuition in Kansas?

Yes. The Kansas Hero’s Scholarship covers full tuition and required fees at any Kansas public postsecondary institution for dependents and spouses of Kansas-resident veterans rated 80% or higher for any service-connected disability, or whose injury rendered them incapable of continuing service. It also covers dependents of veterans who died in service, MIA or POW.

The scholarship provides up to 10 semesters of undergraduate study. Awards are first-come, first-served and subject to annual legislative funding. Apply through the Kansas Board of Regents.

The Kansas Military Service Scholarship covers tuition and fees at Kansas public institutions for veterans who served 90 or more days in a hostile-fire zone after September 11, 2001. This scholarship is for the veteran directly (not dependents) and provides up to four years of undergraduate study. FAFSA filing is required.

Employment Benefits

Kansas State Veterans Hiring Preference

Kansas provides a guaranteed interview for honorably discharged veterans who meet the minimum qualifications for state classified positions marked as Veterans Preference Eligible (VPE). If the veteran is not hired, the employer must provide written notice with the reason within 30 days. Find out more.

Spouses of veterans with a 100% permanent and total service-connected disability and surviving spouses of veterans who died in the line of duty also receive the same hiring preference.

Professional Licensing for Veterans

Kansas professional licenses remain valid during active military service and for six months after discharge without requiring renewal fees or continuing education. All Kansas licensing agencies must accept military education, training and service experience as equivalent to civilian requirements where applicable.

The KANSASWORKS workforce system also gives veterans priority referral to job openings, training programs and employment assistance. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor VETS for additional employment resources.

Recreation Benefits

Do Kansas State Parks Offer Discounts to Disabled Veterans?

Veterans who display a state-issued disability license plate or placard can purchase a discounted annual vehicle permit for $13.75 (compared to the standard $25) or a daily permit for $3.25. Find out more.

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

Yes. Kansas resident veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability qualify for a free permanent hunting license, fishing license, or combination license through the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks.

Apply online at GoOutdoorsKansas.com or by mail. You will need a current Kansas ID and a VA letter showing your disability rating at 30% or higher. Hunters born on or after July 1, 1957 must also have a Hunter’s Education Card.

Healthcare Benefits

Kansas has two VA healthcare systems serving veterans across the state. The VA Eastern Kansas Health Care System operates the Colmery-O’Neil VA Medical Center in Topeka and the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center in Leavenworth, along with clinics in Kansas City, Junction City, Iola and Lawrence.

The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center in Wichita serves central and western Kansas, with clinics in Dodge City, Hays, Hutchinson, Parsons and Salina. Veterans in the Kansas City metro area can also access clinics in Lenexa, Overland Park, Shawnee and Paola through the VA Kansas City system. Visit the KOVS federal benefits page for more information.

Kansas State Veterans Homes

Kansas operates two state veterans homes providing skilled nursing, domiciliary care and rehabilitation services:

  • Kansas Soldiers’ Home: 714 Sheridan Unit 128, Fort Dodge, KS 67843 | (620) 227-2121
  • Kansas Veterans’ Home: 1220 World War II Memorial Drive, Winfield, KS 67156 | (620) 221-9479

Veterans cannot be denied admission for financial reasons, and charges are based on ability to pay. A two-year Kansas residency is required. Eligible spouses and dependents may also be admitted at the Fort Dodge facility. Find out more about eligibility and admissions.

Burial and Survivor Benefits

Kansas operates four state veterans cemeteries providing burial at no cost to eligible veterans, their spouses and dependent children. Each burial includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and a granite headstone. Find out more.

  • Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Dodge: 11560 U.S. Highway 400, Dodge City, KS 67801 | (620) 682-7564
  • Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at WaKeeney: 403 South 13th Street, WaKeeney, KS 67672
  • Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Winfield: 1208 North College Street, Winfield, KS 67156
  • Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley: 5181 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, KS 66503

Kansas also has two federal national cemeteries at Leavenworth and Fort Scott. Veterans and their spouses can pre-register for burial eligibility at no cost and with no obligation through the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.

Surviving spouses and dependents of Kansas veterans are eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), accrued benefits, and continued property tax relief (K-40SVR) until remarriage.

If the veteran was 100 percent service-connected disabled at the time of their death, the surviving spouse may also continue the sales tax exemption (effective July 2026) until they remarry. Learn more about getting survivor benefits.

Federal Benefits Available to Kansas Veterans

In addition to Kansas’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
  • Special compensation, Aid & Attendance and other financial benefits
  • Home loans and housing benefits
  • Vocational rehabilitation and employment services

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

Kansas 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 Kansas 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 relief  
  • Access to Kansas 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 Kansas with known toxic exposure issues include:

If you served at a base in a different state, you can find yours using the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map.

Getting VA Disability in Kansas

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

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Kansas: 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.

Kansas State Assistance and Resources

Help from Experienced Lawyers

Our VA-accredited lawyers proudly represent Kansas 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!