North Dakota Disabled Veteran Benefits Guide

Do Disabled Veterans Pay Sales Tax on Vehicles in North Dakota?

No. Under N.D.C.C. §57-40.3-04(1), a resident disabled veteran with a 100% service-connected disability, or an extra-schedular rating including individual unemployability that brings the rating to 100%, is fully exempt from state vehicle excise (sales) tax on up to two vehicles at a time.

An un-remarried surviving spouse receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation retains the exemption for one vehicle. Use exemption code 14 on the SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title.

Do Veterans Get Free Car Registration in North Dakota?

Yes, for veterans who qualify under N.D.C.C. §39-04-18(2)(j). A motor vehicle not exceeding 26,000 lbs registered gross weight that is owned and operated by a disabled veteran qualifying under Public Law 79-663, or with a 100% service-connected disability or 100% via individual unemployability, is exempt from registration fees. The exemption applies to up to two vehicles. A non-remarried surviving spouse receiving DIC retains the exemption for one vehicle.

Disabled Veteran License Plates in North Dakota

North Dakota issues Disabled American Veteran license plates at no annual license fee. Eligibility requires VA certification of 100% service-related disability, or eligibility under Public Law 663 of the 79th Congress. Vehicles displaying a DAV plate may park in designated handicap parking spots without an additional placard (N.D.C.C. §39-01-15).

• Eligible for two DAV-plated vehicles at a time
• Disabled American Veteran Mobility Impaired Plates are available to veterans who qualify under both DAV and mobility-impaired requirements
• Apply with the SFN 2872 Application for Certificate of Title and a VA certification letter; submit to the ND Department of Transportation
• An un-remarried surviving spouse may retain one DAV plate for personal use

North Dakota offers limited state-funded education benefits for veterans themselves but provides a full tuition waiver for dependents of fallen or 100% disabled veterans, administered through the ND State Approving Agency (SAA). These state benefits can be combined with federal GI Bill benefits and VA disability compensation.

Can North Dakota Veterans Get Tuition Assistance?

Partially. North Dakota does not have a stand-alone tuition waiver for all disabled veterans. The state’s primary in-state education benefit is the North Dakota National Guard Tuition Waiver Program, which waives up to 35% of tuition for current Guard members in good standing at participating North Dakota institutions, including Bismarck State College, Dickinson State University, Mayville State, Minot State, North Dakota State University, the University of North Dakota, Valley City State University, Williston State College, and several tribal colleges.

For federal benefits, ND veterans can use the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the Montgomery GI Bill, and VA Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) for service-connected disabled veterans.

Is College Free for Disabled Veterans’ Dependents in North Dakota?

Yes, in qualifying cases. North Dakota’s Dependent Tuition Waiver (N.D.C.C. §15-10-18.3) provides free tuition and fees at any North Dakota State Institution of Higher Education for a bachelor’s degree or certificate of completion. Eligible dependents include a child, stepchild, spouse, widow, or widower of a resident veteran who:

• Was killed in action or died from service-connected causes
• Has a 100% service-connected disability as determined by the VA
• Has an extra-schedular rating including individual unemployability resulting in a 100% total rating
• Was a prisoner of war or declared missing in action
• A widow or widower receiving VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation also qualifies

Eligibility is preserved even if the POW returns, the MIA is recovered, or the veteran later loses their 100% rating. Aviation flight charges are excluded. Apply directly to the financial aid office or veterans services department at the ND public institution you plan to attend.

North Dakota State Veterans Hiring Preference

North Dakota provides an absolute veterans preference in public employment under N.D.C.C. §37-19.1-02. Qualifying veterans receive preference over all other applicants in recruitment and selection processes by state and local governmental agencies, provided they are U.S. citizens at the time of application.

Veterans qualified for preference may not be disqualified from holding a position because of a physical or mental disability, unless the disability prevents them from performing the duties of the job.

Who Qualifies

• Veterans as defined in N.D.C.C. §37-01-40
• Members in good standing of the National Guard or a reserve unit (or those honorably discharged from one)
• Currently serving service members scheduled to be discharged under other-than-dishonorable conditions within 120 days of application

Employment Resources

ND Job Service provides priority employment services for veterans through American Job Centers across the state, including resume help, interview preparation, targeted training, and job referrals. Disabled veterans receive first priority for all programs administered under the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grant. Local offices in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Minot, Williston, and Dickinson offer walk-in and appointment-based services.

Do Disabled Veterans Get into North Dakota State Parks for Free?

Yes, North Dakota resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-related disability, and former Prisoners of War, are eligible for a free annual lifetime entrance pass to all North Dakota State Parks. ND veterans with a service-related disability below 50% may purchase an annual permit at the discounted rate of $28 (compared with the standard $35 single-vehicle annual pass).

Proof of disability requires a current Summary of Benefits Letter from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. POWs may use a DD-214 or written proof from the National Archives Database. Contact parkrec@nd.gov for application details.

Does North Dakota Have a Disabled Veteran Fishing License?

Yes. Per the ND Game and Fish Department, resident veterans with a 50% or greater service-related disability pay only $10 for a resident fishing license, compared with the standard $27 fee. A $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate is required once per year.

A separate Totally or Permanently Disabled Fishing License (open to any totally and permanently disabled resident) is also available at $10 with proof of disability. There is no equivalent non-resident disabled veteran fishing license fee, non-residents pay the standard non-resident rates.

Does North Dakota Have a Disabled Veteran Hunting License?

Yes, but the discount is limited to 100% service-related disabled veterans. The Veteran Combined Hunting License costs $10 and includes the general game and habitat, small game, and furbearer licenses. A $2 Fishing, Hunting, Furbearer Certificate is required, and waterfowl hunters need a $5 Waterfowl Restoration Stamp plus the $25 Federal Waterfowl Stamp. The standard Combination License (non-disabled) costs $62.

Big game licenses (deer gun, moose, elk, bighorn sheep) are issued by lottery and require separate application fees regardless of veteran status.

Access to quality medical care is the most critical need for many disabled veterans. Federal VA care for North Dakota veterans is delivered through the Fargo VA Health Care System, anchored by the Fargo VA Medical Center and supported by Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Bismarck, Dickinson, Devils Lake, Grafton, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, and Williston. The ND DVA supplements federal care with state-funded programs targeted at disability-related needs.

Service Dog Grant for ND Veterans with PTSD

The ND Service Dog Grant Program provides a specially trained service dog at no cost to North Dakota veterans diagnosed with PTSD. Dogs are trained in North Dakota by Service Dogs for America and are matched to assist with anxiety attacks, public-setting comfort, and waking the veteran from nightmares.

Eligibility requires North Dakota residency, a PTSD diagnosis, active engagement in counseling or therapy, and a doctor’s written recommendation for a PTSD service dog. The grant was created by the 63rd ND Legislative Assembly.

North Dakota State Veterans Home

The North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon has cared for veterans and their spouses since 1893. It offers two levels of care:

• Basic Care – for residents who are independent with bathing, dressing, eating, and walking. Configured as two pods of four households each.
• Skilled Care – ongoing nursing supervision and assistance with daily living, ranging from full assistance to limited supervision.

The home is located at 1600 Veterans Drive, Lisbon, ND 58054. Phone: 701-683-6500. Admissions are open to eligible veterans and their spouses; contact the home directly for admission requirements and current waiting list status.

The state-operated North Dakota Veterans Cemetery sits on a 70-acre tract in the southwest corner of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, 6.5 miles south of Mandan. Address: 4606 Highway 1806, Mandan, ND 58554 | Phone: 701-667-1418.

The cemetery offers in-ground burial for casketed and cremated remains and recently added a columbarium with 2,240 niches for cremated remains, providing approximately 20 years of additional capacity.

Office hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and cemetery grounds are open 24 hours a day for grave visitation. A gravesite locator kiosk is available in the visitor’s center foyer evenings and weekends.

Surviving spouses and dependents of North Dakota veterans are also eligible for federal death and burial benefits, DIC, and other benefits. If the veteran was 100% disabled at the time of death, the surviving spouse may retain the Disabled Veteran’s Property Tax Credit (with full credit if the spouse receives DIC). Learn more about getting survivor benefits.

In addition to North Dakota’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
• 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.

• 50% VA disability benefits
• 60% VA disability benefits
• 70% VA disability benefits
• 80% VA disability benefits
• 90% VA disability benefits

100% Disabled Veteran Benefits

North Dakota 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 North Dakota 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 Disabled Veteran’s Property Tax Credit
• Access to North Dakota state resources

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 North Dakota with documented toxic exposure issues include:

• Minot Air Force Base (Minot, ND)
• Grand Forks Air Force Base (Grand Forks, ND) – designated an EPA Superfund site for groundwater contamination
• Cavalier Space Force Station / former Cavalier Air Force Station (Cavalier County, ND)

If you served at a different base or in a different state, check its history of toxic contamination and potential health effects using the Military Base Toxic Exposure Map or get in touch with us for a free evaluation of your claim.

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 veterans organizations, state-supported VA services, and experienced disability attorneys.

How to Apply for VA Benefits – 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.

Legal Resources for Disabled Veterans

North Dakota veterans have access to free, accredited legal help and specialty courts through state-supported programs:

• ND Veteran Service Officers (VSO) – free, accredited claims help in every ND county and on Fort Berthold, Spirit Lake, Standing Rock, Turtle Mountain, and Lake Traverse tribal lands; National Service Officers from NDDVA/AMVETS, American Legion, DAV, and VFW are based out of the Fargo VA Regional Office
• North Dakota Veterans Treatment Court – operated by the Northeast Central Judicial District in Grand Forks for justice-involved veterans needing mental health and substance use treatment
• Service Member and Family Support Center (SMFSC) – ND National Guard offices in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Devils Lake, and Minot provide ID cards/DEERS, TRICARE help, legal referrals, crisis intervention, and emergency financial assistance

Attorneys Specialized in VA Disability Law

Our VA-accredited lawyers represent disabled veterans in North Dakota 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!