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31% of Missouri’s veterans receive VA disability compensation and many are still trying to increase their benefits. If you’re not sure what you’re entitled to based on your rating or your family’s situation, this guide is for you.

Missouri supplements federal VA programs with its own state-level benefits, from property tax credits and free license plates to free hunting and fishing licenses for qualifying veterans.

This guide breaks down Missouri’s benefits for disabled veterans, explains eligibility requirements, and points to the resources and legal help that can support veterans and their families in claiming everything they deserve.

Tax Exemptions and Financial Benefits

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Property Taxes in Missouri?

Missouri does not offer a blanket property tax exemption for disabled veterans based on disability rating alone. Instead, the state provides a property tax credit for veterans who meet both disability and income requirements. Veterans who were prisoners of war with a 100% service-connected disability may qualify for a full property tax exemption.

The Missouri Property Tax Credit provides up to $1,100 per year for homeowners and $750 per year for renters who have a 100% service-connected disability and a household income of $30,000 or less if single, or $34,000 or less if married. The credit is filed using Form MO-PTC with the annual state income tax return. Find out more.

100% service-connected POWs may qualify for a full property tax exemption on their primary residence. Contact your county assessor for details on applying. Find more information in the Missouri Military Reference Guide.

Missouri also fully exempts military retirement pay from state income tax. VA disability compensation and Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments are exempt from both federal and state income tax.

If you were underrated and are trying to get a higher disability rating, get in touch with us for a free case evaluation.

Transportation Benefits

Do Veterans Pay for Vehicle Registration in Missouri?

Veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating qualify for free disabled veteran license plates, which come with no registration fees for the first set of plates issued. Standard fees apply for additional plates or replacements.

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Sales Tax on Vehicles in Missouri?

Missouri exempts 100% service-connected disabled veterans from state sales tax on one motor vehicle purchase every three years. The exemption also covers adaptive equipment installed to accommodate a disability. To claim the exemption, veterans provide a VA award letter confirming a 100% service-connected disability rating at the time of purchase. Find more details in the Missouri Military Reference Guide.

Disabled Veteran License Plates in Missouri

Missouri offers a free Disabled Veteran license plate to veterans with a 100% service-connected disability rating. The plate is issued free for the first set with no annual renewal fee. To apply, veterans submit a VA award letter confirming 100% service-connected disability to the Missouri Department of Revenue along with standard title and registration documents. Find out more.

Education Benefits

Does Missouri Offer College Benefits to Disabled Veterans?

Yes. Missouri’s Returning Heroes Act significantly reduces tuition for eligible combat veterans at any Missouri public college or university. Qualifying veterans pay only $50 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and no more than 30% of standard tuition and fees for graduate programs.

To qualify, veterans must have served on active duty in a combat zone for at least 30 consecutive days after September 11, 2001, and received an honorable or general discharge. There is no specific disability rating requirement. Find out more.

Do Disabled Veterans’ Dependents Get Free Tuition in Missouri?

Yes. The Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant covers full tuition, room and board, and required fees at Missouri public colleges and universities for qualifying dependents.

To qualify, the veteran must have a service-connected disability rating of 80% or higher, must have served in a combat zone during wartime, and must have been a Missouri resident at the time of entering service. Eligible dependents include spouses and dependent children. The grant is limited to 25 awards per year statewide, so early application is strongly recommended. Find out more.

Employment Benefits

Missouri State Veterans Hiring Preference

Missouri grants preference points to veterans applying for state government positions. Under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 36.220, these points are added to the passing score of any civil service examination:

  • 10 points: Disabled veterans and Purple Heart recipients. 
  • 5 points: Non-disabled veterans who served during a period of war or received an Armed Forces campaign badge. 

The Missouri Veterans Commission connects veterans with Disabled Veterans’ Outreach Program (DVOP) specialists at local American Job Centers statewide. Find out more.

Recreation Benefits

Are Missouri State Parks Free for Disabled Veterans?

Missouri state parks are not free for disabled veterans, but the state offers veterans a $2 per night discount on camping fees. To receive the discount, present proof of Missouri residency and veteran status at check-in. For a full list of participating parks, visit Missouri State Parks.

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

Yes. Missouri offers free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a 60% or higher service-connected disability rating. This benefit applies to both resident and nonresident disabled veterans, making Missouri one of the few states to extend this benefit to out-of-state veterans.

Separate permits are still required for deer, turkey, and migratory birds; the free license covers the base license only. Find out more.

Healthcare Benefits

Missouri veterans have access to healthcare through three major VA healthcare systems and a network of community-based outpatient clinics across the state. The primary healthcare hubs are:

  • John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital: 915 N. Grand Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63106
  • Jefferson Barracks Division: 1 Jefferson Barracks Dr, St. Louis, MO 63125
  • Kansas City VA Medical Center: 4801 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64128
  • Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital: 800 Hospital Dr, Columbia, MO 65201

Community-Based Outpatient Clinics

  • Franklin County VA Clinic: 1627 A Roy Dr, Washington, MO 63090
  • Manchester Avenue VA Clinic: 4974 Manchester Ave, St. Louis, MO 63110
  • St. Charles County VA Clinic: 2845 Veterans Memorial Pkwy, St. Charles, MO 63303
  • St. Louis County VA Clinic: 6854 Parker Rd, Florissant, MO 63033
  • Washington Avenue VA Clinic: 2727 Washington Ave, St. Louis, MO 63103
  • Belton VA Clinic: 1900 E 173rd St, Belton, MO 64012
  • Cameron VA Clinic: 311 Little Brick Rd, Cameron, MO 64429
  • Excelsior Springs VA Clinic: 197 S McCleary Rd, Excelsior Springs, MO 64024
  • Honor VA Clinic: 4251 Northern Ave, Kansas City, MO 64133
  • Nevada VA Clinic: 1220 E Austin Blvd, Nevada, MO 64772
  • Warrensburg VA Clinic: 702 E Young St, Warrensburg, MO 64093
  • Buttonwood Drive VA Clinic: 3425 Buttonwood Dr, Columbia, MO 65201
  • Camdenton VA Clinic: 30 Lakeview Dr, Camdenton, MO 65020
  • Jefferson City VA Clinic: 3430 W Edgewood Dr, Jefferson City, MO 65109
  • Kirksville VA Clinic: 506 Rosewood Dr, Kirksville, MO 63501
  • Marshfield VA Clinic: 1240 Banning St, Marshfield, MO 65706
  • Mexico VA Clinic: 3460 S Clark St, Mexico, MO 65265
  • Sedalia VA Clinic: 981 Winchester Dr, Sedalia, MO 65301
  • St. James VA Clinic: 207 Matlock Dr, St. James, MO 65559
  • Waynesville VA Clinic: 700 GW Lane St, Waynesville, MO 65583

Missouri State Veterans Homes

Missouri operates seven state veterans homes through the Missouri Veterans Commission, offering skilled nursing care, memory care, and rehabilitative services. Eligibility requires an honorable or general discharge and veterans rated 70% or higher may qualify for the VA per diem benefit to offset costs. Find out more.

  • Missouri Veterans Home – Cameron: 1111 Euclid St, Cameron, MO 64429 | 816-632-6010
  • Missouri Veterans Home – Cape Girardeau: 2400 Veterans Memorial Dr, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 | 573-290-5870
  • Missouri Veterans Home – Mexico: 1 Veterans Dr, Mexico, MO 65265 | 573-581-1088
  • Missouri Veterans Home – Mt. Vernon: 1600 S Hickory St, Mt. Vernon, MO 65712 | 417-466-7103
  • Missouri Veterans Home – St. James: 620 N Jefferson St, St. James, MO 65559 | 573-265-3271
  • Missouri Veterans Home – St. Louis: 10600 Lewis & Clark Blvd, St. Louis, MO 63136 | 314-340-6389
  • Missouri Veterans Home – Warrensburg: 1300 Veterans Rd, Warrensburg, MO 64093 | 660-543-5064

Burial and Survivor Benefits

Missouri operates five state veterans cemeteries providing burial space for eligible veterans, their spouses, and dependent children at no cost. Each burial includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a concrete grave liner, a granite headstone, and perpetual care.

  • Springfield Veterans Cemetery: 5201 S. Southwood Rd, Springfield, MO 65804 | (417) 823-3944
  • Higginsville Veterans Cemetery: 20109 Business Hwy 13, Higginsville, MO 64037 | (660) 362-6111
  • Bloomfield Veterans Cemetery: 17357 Stars and Stripes Way, Bloomfield, MO 63825 | (573) 568-3871
  • Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery: 1479 County Road 1675, Jacksonville, MO 65260 | (660) 372-6024
  • Fort Leonard Wood Veterans Cemetery: 25350 Highway H, Waynesville, MO 65583 | (573) 774-3496

There is no Missouri residency requirement for veterans. To be eligible for burial, veterans must have been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Both veterans and spouses can pre-apply for burial eligibility at no cost through the Missouri Veterans Commission.

Surviving spouses and dependents may also be eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA, continued property tax credit, and educational benefits through the Wartime Veteran’s Survivors Grant. Learn more about survivor benefits.

Federal Benefits Available to Missouri Veterans

  • 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 
  • 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 Missouri veterans can get with a rating of 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, etc.

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

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 Missouri 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  
  • Property tax credit continuation  
  • Wartime Veterans Survivors Grant

Benefits for Toxic Exposure

Missouri veterans and veterans who served at a military base in Missouri and developed disabilities may be eligible for compensation and VA benefits. Missouri military bases with known toxins include:

If you served at a base in a different state, find yours on the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map. Hill & Ponton has decades of experience helping veterans get compensation for conditions caused by exposure to dangerous substances, from Agent Orange to burn pits, jet fuel, and PFAS.

Getting VA Disability in Missouri

Several local and national resources are available to help guide applicants through the VA disability claims process in Missouri, including county veterans service officers, state-sponsored programs, and qualified attorneys who specialize in veterans law.

How to Apply for VA Benefits in Missouri – Free Guide

Attorney Matthew Hill has written THE book on how to get VA disability compensation and benefits. Get it here free of charge. We also offer a free downloadable version for easy, immediate access.

Legal Resources for Disabled Veterans

Attorneys Specialized in VA Disability Law

Our VA-accredited lawyers represent disabled veterans in Missouri 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.