Kansas Veteran Benefits: Complete Guide for 2026
Kansas provides 12 documented state-level benefits for disabled veterans across 9 categories. Notable programs include a homestead property tax exemption worth up to $700, Kansas Hero's Scholarship — Dependents of 80%+ Disabled Veterans, income tax relief (full retirement exemption + $2,250 extra personal exemption at 100%). KS also provides financial benefits, hunting and fishing license benefits, additional benefits, small business benefits. 1 of these benefits require Permanent & Total (P&T) disability status. Below is a detailed breakdown of every verified benefit available to disabled veterans in Kansas as of 2026.
Key Takeaways for KS Veterans
- Kansas offers 12 documented state-specific veteran benefits as of 2026
- Homestead Property Tax Refund — Disabled Veterans (50%+): worth up to $700/year
- Education: Kansas Hero's Scholarship — Dependents of 80%+ Disabled Veterans
- Military Retirement & VA Pay — State Income Tax Exempt: full retirement exemption + $2,250 extra personal exemption at 100%
- Vehicle benefits: Free Disabled Veteran License Plate (50%+)
- Free Permanent Hunting & Fishing License (30%+)
12
State Benefits
9
Categories
50+
Federal Benefits
415+
Discounts
See exactly what Kansas benefits add up to for you.
Get StartedKansas State-Specific Benefits
Kansas Education Benefits (1)
Kansas Hero's Scholarship — Dependents of 80%+ Disabled Veterans
The Kansas Hero's Scholarship covers full tuition and fees at Kansas public postsecondary institutions for up to 10 semesters for spouses and dependents of veterans with an 80% or greater service-connected disability, or those whose injury prevents continued service. Also covers dependents of service members killed in the line of duty or who were MIA/POW.
Kansas Employment Benefits (1)
Guaranteed Interview for State Employment (Veterans Preference)
Kansas guarantees honorably discharged veterans an interview for state classified positions marked as "Veterans Preference Eligible" if they meet minimum qualifications. Spouses of 100% P&T veterans and surviving spouses of service members killed in the line of duty are also eligible. Professional licenses remain valid during active service and for six months post-discharge.
Kansas Financial Benefits (1)
Sales Tax Exemption — 100% P&T Veterans ($24K/yr)
Effective July 1, 2026, honorably discharged veterans with 100% P&T disability are exempt from state and local sales tax on personal purchases up to $24,000/year (excludes motor vehicles, alcohol, tobacco). Surviving spouses also qualify until remarriage.
Kansas Hunting & Fishing (1)
Free Permanent Hunting & Fishing License (30%+)
Kansas issues a free, permanent hunting and fishing license to any Kansas resident who is a disabled veteran with a 30%+ service-connected disability rating and honorable discharge.
Kansas Income Tax Benefits (1)
Military Retirement & VA Pay — State Income Tax Exempt
VA disability payments, U.S. Military and Federal Civil Service retirement, TSP dividends, and KS National Guard bonuses are not taxed by Kansas. Veterans who are 100% P&T get an additional $2,250+ personal exemption.
Kansas Other Benefits (2)
Kansas Other Veteran Benefits
State employment preference
Kansas Income Tax Benefits
No specific military retirement exemption
Kansas Property Tax Exemptions (2)
Kansas Property Tax Exemption
50%+ disabled: homestead refund
Homestead Property Tax Refund — Disabled Veterans (50%+)
Kansas provides a property tax refund (up to $700) for disabled veterans aged 65+ or with 50%+ permanent service-connected disability. Home appraised value must be $350,000 or less and household income $58,041 or less (excluding VA disability income).
Kansas Small Business Benefits (2)
Kansas Disabled Veteran-Owned Business Preference
Kansas gives certified Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses up to a 10% bid preference on state contracts (K.S.A. 75-3740). Firms must be at least 51% owned by disabled veterans, certified annually by the Department of Administration and verified by the Kansas Office of Veterans Services.
Disabled Veteran Business Contracting Preference (3%)
Kansas state agencies are required to give preference to disabled veteran-owned businesses in government contracting, with a goal of awarding at least 3% of contracts to disabled veteran-owned businesses (30%+ disability required).
Kansas Vehicle Benefits (1)
Free Disabled Veteran License Plate (50%+)
Kansas provides a free Disabled Veteran license plate for one vehicle to veterans with a 50% or greater service-connected disability. Plate holders receive free metered parking, exemption from parking time limits, and access to designated disability parking spaces. Two plate versions are available: one with the international wheelchair emblem (requires additional certification) and one without.
How Kansas Benefits Stack With Federal VA Compensation
Kansas state benefits are separate from and stack on top of your federal VA disability compensation. The federal compensation rate table below shows what you receive from the VA — your KS state benefits add to that total. For a 100%-rated veteran in KS, this means federal compensation plus the Sales Tax Exemption — 100% P&T Veterans ($24K/yr) (up to $24,000/year) and 11 other state benefits — all at no additional cost. Some KS benefits are available to all veterans regardless of disability percentage, while others require a rating of up to 100%. 1 benefit in KS specifically requires Permanent & Total (P&T) disability status. To see your personalized combined federal-plus-Kansas benefits package, create a free account.
2026 Federal Compensation Rates (Veteran Alone)
These federal rates apply to all Kansas veterans with service-connected disabilities. Kansas state benefits are received in addition to these amounts.
Compare Property Tax Exemptions
See how Kansas's property tax exemptions compare to other veteran-friendly states:
Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas Veteran Benefits
What veteran benefits does Kansas offer in 2026?
Kansas offers 12 state-specific veteran benefits across 9 categories, such as Sales Tax Exemption — 100% P&T Veterans ($24K/yr), Kansas Hero's Scholarship — Dependents of 80%+ Disabled Veterans, Military Retirement & VA Pay — State Income Tax Exempt. These cover education benefits, employment benefits, financial benefits, hunting and fishing license benefits, and more — all in addition to federal VA disability compensation and healthcare.
Does Kansas offer property tax exemptions for disabled veterans?
Yes. Kansas offers 2 property tax benefits for disabled veterans. Some exemptions are available at any disability rating. The Homestead Property Tax Refund — Disabled Veterans (50%+) can be worth up to $700 per year depending on assessed home value. Contact your county assessor for filing instructions.
What education benefits are available for veterans in Kansas?
Kansas provides 1 education benefit, including Kansas Hero's Scholarship — Dependents of 80%+ Disabled Veterans — some extend to dependents and spouses. These can be combined with federal programs like the GI Bill and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR&E Chapter 31) to reduce or eliminate education costs.
Is military retirement pay taxable in Kansas?
Federal VA disability compensation is tax-free nationwide. Beyond that, Kansas offers 1 additional income tax benefit: the Military Retirement & VA Pay — State Income Tax Exempt. These may further reduce your KS state tax burden on military retirement pay or veteran-related income.
Does Kansas offer vehicle-related benefits for disabled veterans?
Yes. Kansas provides 1 vehicle-related benefit: Free Disabled Veteran License Plate (50%+). Eligibility varies by disability rating and benefit type.
How do I apply for Kansas veteran benefits?
Most Kansas benefits require proof of your VA disability rating, available through VA.gov or your eBenefits account. Some programs require Permanent & Total (P&T) status. Certain benefits require a rating of 100% or higher. Contact your local KS Department of Veterans Affairs or county veterans service office for application help.
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Benefits by VA Disability Rating
Your disability rating determines which federal and Kansas state benefits you qualify for: