The commonwealth of Kentucky is home to over 370,000 veterans. In this article, service members and their families can find the support offered by the KDVA (Kentucky department of veterans affairs).
Kentucky commonwealth veteran benefits depend on location. We’ll provide a breakdown of what services are available in different areas and how veterans can access them.
Local state veterans can find a variety of benefits for education, employment and healthcare, and more. To qualify, veterans must be a resident of Kentucky and not have been discharged dishonorably.
If a veteran meets these criteria, these are the benefits available:
Veteran Housing in Kentucky and Healthcare
There are four veteran centers within the commonwealth of Kentucky. Veterans who demonstrate their care requirements can access physical therapy, 24-hour nursing, occupational therapies, among other services and amenities.
There are centers in:
- Radcliffe – Carl M Brashear Veterans Center
- Hazard – Eastern Kentucky Veterans Center
- Wilmore – Thompson-Hood Veterans Center
- Hanson – Western Kentucky Veterans Center
Veterans can also apply for housing grants and loans:
Housing Grants
National Guard and reserve members can apply to the state of Kentucky to get reduced principles and interests on mortgages or rentals. To qualify:
- Kentucky must be listed as Home of Record
- Must be serving on deployment outside the US
Under this provision, the state of Kentucky is obligated to provide spouses with the relevant resources to maintain mortgages during federal active duty.
Housing Loans
Veterans United offers homebuyer loans with a $0 down payment offer. To qualify, one or more conditions must be met:
- Served at least 90 consecutive days of active service during wartime
- Served a minimum of 181 days of active service during peacetime
- Given at least six years of service in the National Guard or Reserves
Or you must be the spouse of a service member who died in the line of duty or from a service-related disability.
Education
Dependents of Kentucky commonwealth veterans can apply for a tuition waiver. The tuition waiver exempts students from tuition fees at qualifying schools.
In addition, children, stepchildren, spouses, and widowers can apply to 2-year, 4-year, or vocational-technical schools operated by the Kentucky education department.
To access this benefit, one of the following must apply:
- The veteran died during active duty
- The veteran passed away “due to a service-connected disability” (0his is determined by the US Department of Veterans Affairs)
- The veteran was 100% service-connected disabled
- The veteran is rated as totally disabled (non-service-connected) during wartime service
- The veteran passed away and lived in KY at the time of death and served during wartime
Additionally, though the applicant does not have to be a resident of Kentucky, the veteran must currently be a resident of Kentucky. Or be a Kentucky resident at the time of death.
Tax Exemption
The commonwealth of Kentucky offers tax exemption on:
- Military income
- Survivors benefit plans (SBP)
- Military retirement pay up to $31,110
You may also get a tax exemption on all incomes from all sources for active duty and reserve members killed in the line of duty. (Including all federal and state death benefits payable to the estate or any beneficiaries” from state income tax. )
Veterans may also be eligible for a fee exemption and tax credit under certain circumstances:
Property tax– There is a $40,500 deduction on property tax available for totally disabled veterans.
Estate probate fee – Estate probate fees are exempt for regular armed forces members.
Income tax return – Service members can extend their state income tax filing while serving in a combat zone.
Tax credit – National Guard members are eligible for a $20 tax credit at the end of the calendar year.
Unemployment benefit – Spouses of military members may be eligible for unemployment benefit when a military member is reassigned to a new location.
Lastly, the state of Kentucky provides a family assistance Trust fund for personal and Dependents for expenses incurred at the end of deployment.
Employment
Kentucky Commonwealth Veteran Benefits also can get preferential treatment when applying for state jobs. Veterans can get up to 5 points added to their test scores.
While disabled veterans may get up to 10 added points. Spouses may also be eligible for preferential state employment.
The state of Kentucky also offers several license and certification programs for veterans. These can offer waivers or exemptions where service time and experiences are used in lieu of traditional education, certification, or training.
Such as for:
- Certification for firefighters
- Certification for emergency medical technicians
- Alternative teaching certifications
- Licenses for HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) professionals
- Licenses for qualified military engineers
- Commercial license for drivers
Outside of these waivers, veterans and spouses can receive extensions for existing professional certificates and Licenses.
Kentucky provides qualifying active-duty personnel automatic renewal on any professional license or certificate free of charge.
Additionally, qualifying military spouses may be eligible to transfer an existing professional license or certification to Kentucky. They will receive a temporary license valid for up six months.
Recreation
Disabled veterans can receive a discount on hunting and fishing under the Kentucky Senior or disabled sportsman program. Veterans can apply to the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.
Veterans with 50% or more connected disabilities will be eligible for a discounted license. This will grant them a disability authorization card which reduces license cost by up to $90.
Service members who are Kentucky residents can also fish for free without a license when on leave.
Also, totally disabled veterans are exempt from overnight accommodation fees at any Kentucky state park. However, they must be residents.
Burials
There are five veteran cemeteries in Kentucky:
- Hopkinsville
- Hyden
- Fort Knox
- Williamstown
- Greenup County
Any resident veteran of Kentucky is eligible for burial at these sites without a fee. This includes any veteran who was stationed in the Kentucky Commonwealth.
Want to Find Out More About Kentucky Commonwealth Veteran Benefits?
We hope this blog post has shed some light on Kentucky Commonwealth Veteran Benefits.
However, if you want to find out more about the veteran benefits you may be eligible for, apply for a free evaluation today. We connect veterans with the compensation they are due, and we can’t wait to work with you.
