State file · MS
Veteran benefits in Mississippi
Mississippi exempts military retirement pay from state income tax, waives ad valorem taxes for service-connected disabled veterans, and runs its own low-interest home loan board for veterans. Here is the breakdown.
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Financial benefits
Income tax on retirement pay
Military retirement pay is tax-free at the state level in Mississippi.
Ad valorem tax exemption
Veterans with a service-connected disability and an honorable discharge are exempt from all ad valorem taxes on the assessed value of their home, and un-remarried surviving spouses may also qualify.
Veterans' Home Purchase Board
The Mississippi Veterans' Home Purchase Board provides low-interest mortgage loans to eligible veterans and un-remarried surviving spouses for buying or building a home. Applicants need Mississippi residency before active duty or for two consecutive years before applying, a Certificate of Eligibility for a VA loan, and an honorable discharge.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 7.0%, counties may add up to 1.0%, and the current average with local taxes is roughly 7.05%.
Recreation
Hunting & fishing licenses
Veterans with a service-connected disability do not need to purchase hunting and fishing licenses, but must carry proof of age, residency, and disability status.
Concealed carry permit fee exemption
Service-connected disabled veterans are exempt from concealed weapon permit fees and renewals after 12 months of Mississippi residency, a requirement that can be waived for active duty members, holders of out-of-state permits, and retired law enforcement.
Education programs
State Educational Assistance Program (SEAP)
SEAP covers tuition at state and regionally accredited institutions for service members who are ineligible for Federal Tuition Assistance, currently funding up to $4,500 per year (July 1 through June 30) at $250 per hour.
In-state tuition provisions
Active duty members and Mississippi National Guard members stationed in the state are classified as residents at state-supported institutions, non-resident veterans qualify for in-state tuition with DD214 discharge documentation, and military spouses and children keep resident status matching their sponsor.
Veteran housing
Mississippi State Veterans Homes
State veterans homes operate in Collins, Jackson, Kosciusko, and Oxford, serving veterans discharged under other than dishonorable conditions. Spouses may qualify, and out-of-state veterans are eligible depending on availability.
Employment & job training
Civil service points
Honorably discharged veterans receive 5 points on state employment examinations, and service-connected disabled veterans receive 10 points.
Military leave & retirement credit
State employees receive 15 working days of paid military leave per year without loss of pay, and the Public Employee Retirement System offers qualifying military service credit both at no cost and for purchase.
Reemployment rights
Personnel leaving employment for military duty are entitled to restoration to their previous or a similar position with the same status, pay, and seniority; federal USERRA protections also apply.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Mississippi
Options include Biloxi National Cemetery, Corinth National Cemetery, and Natchez National Cemetery. Honorably discharged veterans receive free burial, and spouses and dependents are eligible with a small fee.
VA resources in Mississippi
Jackson Regional Benefits Office
The VA regional office serving Mississippi for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteGulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
VA medical care for the Gulf Coast, based in Biloxi.
Official siteG.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center
VA medical care in Jackson.
Before you apply
- First-time applicants generally need a copy of their DD-214 or discharge paperwork — keep certified copies somewhere safe.
- Most programs require a discharge under other than dishonorable conditions; a dishonorable or bad-conduct discharge may bar eligibility.
- “Active service” has a specific definition for many programs — training periods don’t always count. When in doubt, ask the agency directly.
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