This guide to Montana veteran benefits covers both state programs run through the Montana Veteran Affairs Division (MVAD) and partner agencies, and federal VA benefits (health care, disability compensation, GI Bill®, VA home loans). This guide focuses on Montana-specific benefits veterans and eligible family members use most often—property tax relief, university system tuition waivers, state veterans homes, employment preference, recreation, and where to get free local help—updated for 2026.
Programs, dollar amounts, and eligibility rules change. Always confirm with the official agency linked below, the Montana Veteran Affairs Division, the Department of Revenue, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs before you apply.
Montana Veteran Benefits: Population & Overview
Montana’s lead state agency for veterans is the Montana Veteran Affairs Division (MVAD), administratively attached to the Department of Military Affairs and overseen by the Montana Board of Veteran Affairs. MVAD homepage figures labeled for 2025 report approximately 85,871 Montana veterans—about 1 in 13 Montanans—with 47% age 65 or older.
MVAD operates a statewide network of nine Veteran Service Offices that help veterans, retirees, and families find and apply for federal, state, and local benefits at no charge. Federal VA benefits are separate: enroll and file through VA.gov.
MVAD: veterans.mt.gov · staff directory linked from the MVAD home page
Major Montana state programs at a glance
- Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV) — property tax rate reduction for 100% SC disabled veterans (income-tested)
- Montana University System tuition waivers — honorably discharged veterans, National Guard, war orphans, and certain NG survivors
- Three state veterans’ homes — Columbia Falls, Glendive, Butte
- Montana Veterans’ Employment Preference — public hiring (+5% / +10% scored paths)
- Military Family Relief Fund — Guard/Reserve family grants
- State veterans cemeteries — Fort Harrison, Miles City, Missoula (plus tribal cemetery options)
Montana Veteran Medical & Healthcare Benefits
VA health care (federal)
Most clinical care for veterans is through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Montana VA Healthcare System (VA Montana Health Care) is the primary federal medical system in the state. The main campus is the Fort Harrison VA Medical Center, 3687 Veterans Drive, Fort Harrison, MT 59636 · main phone 406-442-6410 · VA health connect 833-983-0484. VA Montana covers a large rural area—use the facility finder for CBOCs and other sites.
- Check eligibility and apply: VA health care eligibility · How to apply (10-10EZ)
- VA Montana Health Care · VA facility locator
- Main VA benefits line: 800-698-2411
State veterans homes (long-term care)
Montana operates three state veterans’ homes offering long-term care (nursing and domiciliary/assisted living, rehab, and memory care depending on facility)—a state program, different from VA medical centers:
- Montana Veterans’ Home (MVH) — Columbia Falls · 400 Veterans Drive, Columbia Falls, MT 59912 · 406-892-3256 · about 117 beds · DPHHS MVH
- Eastern Montana Veterans’ Home (EMVH) — Glendive · 2000 Montana Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330 · 406-345-8855 / 866-887-3684 · about 80 beds · DPHHS EMVH
- Southwest Montana Veterans’ Home (SWMVH) — Butte · 65 Veterans Circle, Butte, MT 59701 · 406-792-3100 · about 60 beds · DPHHS SWMVH
General eligibility themes (confirm with the home and MCA 10-2-403): honorably discharged veteran, spouse, or surviving spouse; typically age 55+ (exceptions for younger applicants who are invalid/unable to earn a living); meet medical criteria for intermediate nursing or domiciliary care; not create risk to others due to mental condition. Admission also considers residency length, alternatives, space, and capacity. Apply directly to the facility.
Claims advocacy
MVAD Veteran Service Offices provide free help finding and applying for federal, state, and local benefits. Start at veterans.mt.gov.
Montana Veteran Housing Benefits
Housing-related Montana veteran benefits center on the MDV property tax program and federal VA home loans. Montana does not operate a standalone state veterans housing loan program comparable to CalVet.
Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program (MDV)
MDV reduces the property tax rate on the primary residence of a 100% service-connected disabled veteran or unremarried surviving spouse (income-tested). It does not create a blanket exemption for all disability ratings.
Core eligibility (Tax Year 2026 framing on Department of Revenue site):
- Own or under contract to purchase the home; primary residence at least 7 months of the year
- VA letter showing 100% service-connected disability (or surviving-spouse criteria)
- Federal AGI (excluding capital income/loss) under program caps — DOR lists for TY 2026 eligibility based on 2024 FAGI: single $62,598; married/HOH $72,229; unmarried surviving spouse $54,573
Benefit: rate reduction of 100%, 80%, 70%, or 50% of the normal tax rate depending on income band and filing status (tables published by DOR; income bands inflation-adjusted annually). For homes on agricultural or forest land, the benefit applies to the home and one-acre homesite.
Apply: electronic MDV application or paper form to a DOR field office; deadline April 15 (late applications considered for the following year).
Official: DOR — Montana Disabled Veteran Assistance Program
County burial assistance (housing-adjacent community support)
A county may pay a $250 burial benefit and up to $30 toward setting a government grave marker for an eligible resident veteran (county residency rules apply). Confirm with your county and Job Service / DLI veterans summaries.
Federal VA home loan guaranty
Eligible veterans can use the federal VA home loan program through private lenders. Certificate of Eligibility and lender requirements apply.
Homeless veterans
If you are a veteran experiencing homelessness or housing instability:
- National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 877-424-3838 (24/7)
- VA homeless programs overview
- HUD-VASH · SSVF
Montana Veteran Education Benefits
Education support is a core Montana veteran benefits category through Montana University System tuition waivers and federal GI Bill programs.
Montana University System tuition waivers
The Montana Board of Regents offers tuition waivers at Montana University System campuses. Waivers apply to tuition only (not required fees); no combination of waivers can exceed total tuition.
- Montana National Guard Tuition Waiver — Montana National Guard members in good standing who completed Initial Entry Training; undergraduate and graduate; last-dollar after other grants/scholarships; maintain satisfactory academic progress. Fact sheet: NGTW fact sheet (PDF)
- Montana Honorably Discharged Veteran Tuition Waiver — Montana resident pursuing undergrad or graduate degree; Honorable discharge for active duty other than training (General/Under Honorable Conditions do not qualify); VA education benefits used or expired; last-dollar award. Fact sheet: VTW fact sheet (PDF)
- Montana War Orphans Tuition Waiver — children age 25 or younger of a service member who was a Montana resident at entry and was killed in action or died of combat-related injury/disease during WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, or Afghanistan conflicts; up to bachelor’s; cannot stack with other tuition waivers; Montana resident for tuition purposes
- Surviving dependents of Montana National Guard members killed in the line of duty on state active duty — tuition waiver at MUS campuses if no comparable government/private education benefit
Applications route through campus processes / Award Montana portal. Index: MUS tuition waivers.
Military children (K–12)
Montana participates in the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3) to reduce barriers from frequent moves. Purple Star School designation recognizes military-friendly K–12 schools. Confirm current school designations with local districts and MIC3 resources.
Federal education benefits
Post-9/11 GI Bill®, Montgomery GI Bill®, DEA (Chapter 35), Yellow Ribbon, and VR&E remain federal benefits used widely at Montana schools. Explore: About GI Bill benefits.
Montana Veteran Benefits for Employment & Tax
State employment preference
Montana Veterans’ Employment Preference applies to public employment:
- Scored hiring: +5% for veterans; +10% for disabled veterans or eligible relatives
- Non-scored: preference order disabled veteran / eligible relative / veteran over equally qualified non-preference applicants
- Preference also applies in reduction-in-force retention among similar duties/length of service
Veteran definitions include 180+ days active duty with honorable discharge; certain wartime/campaign reserve service; and Montana National Guard members with six years service (three in MTNG). Disabled veterans include VA/service disability ratings and Purple Heart recipients. Eligible relatives include unremarried surviving spouses, spouses of veterans unable to work due to disability, and certain mothers. Private employers may adopt a voluntary veterans hiring preference policy. Statute overview: MCA Title 39, Chapter 29.
Job services
Job Service Montana / Department of Labor & Industry Veteran Services: priority of service for eligible veterans and spouses; DVOP specialists for significant barriers; LVER support; apprenticeship and training referrals. DLI Veteran Services
Paid military leave (public employees)
Montana public employees in reserve components who work full or part time for at least six months may receive 120 hours paid military leave per year, with unused leave rollover up to 240 hours, for active duty, training, drill, and related service.
State income tax highlights
Confirm each provision with current Department of Revenue instructions for the tax year you file:
- Certain active-duty military pay (including NG/Reserve on state or federal active duty orders) can be excluded from Montana income tax; combat zone and related rules apply; documentation required
- Working military retirement exemption: resident retirees working in Montana may exempt the lesser of half of military retirement income or Montana-source wage income for five consecutive years (eligibility tied to residency timing after June 30, 2023 / prior residency; program scheduled to expire tax year 2033 per state-benefits digest summaries—verify on DOR)
- SBP/RCSBP/RSFPP survivors may subtract 50% of annuities under similar residency/timing rules (five years; expire TY 2033 per digest—verify)
- Nonresident military spouses: income earned while stationed in Montana can be exempt under military spouse rules
- VA disability compensation/pension categories are generally excluded under federal tax treatment
Start here: DOR — Taxes for military members and families
Property tax (MDV)
MDV is the primary veteran property-tax relief path (100% service-connected disability plus income test)—see Housing.
Montana Other Veteran Benefits
Driver license / ID veteran designation & plates
Montana Motor Vehicle Division can add a Veteran designation on a driver license or ID at no extra charge beyond standard renewal/replacement fees. Proof commonly includes DD-214 (honorable), VA healthcare card, retired military ID, or MVAD confirmation. Multiple military/veteran license plate designs are available; registration fee and cemetery fee waivers may apply for certain 100% disabled / Purple Heart + 50%+ and eligible surviving spouses—confirm current MVD rules.
Hunting and fishing
Certain disabled veterans qualify for free fishing and reduced hunting licenses (state benefit summary). Details and current fees: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks—verify annually before you purchase.
Cemeteries
Three state veterans cemeteries: Fort Harrison, Miles City (Eastern), and Missoula (Western); plus Apsaalooke Veterans Cemetery (Crow Tribe). Eligibility generally mirrors VA national cemetery rules. Pre-registration is encouraged. VA also maintains national cemeteries in Montana—use the cemetery locator.
Honor and Remember Medallion
State medallion for families of Montana resident service members killed or MIA in recognized operations (from Sept 8, 1939 forward under stated combat/MIA criteria); first medallion free. MVAD — Honor and Remember Medallion
Military Family Relief Fund (MMFRF)
Grants for Montana National Guard / Reserve families: status-based, need-based (up to $2,000), and casualty-based ($2,000 with Purple Heart documentation for combat-related nonfatal injury). DMA — Military Family Relief Fund
Free discharge recording / copies
County Clerk & Recorder records discharge papers without charge; free copies for VA claims and certain other claims. Free VSO assistance through MVAD.
Federal disability compensation
Monthly tax-free compensation for service-connected disabilities is federal: VA disability · How to file. Your MVAD office or an accredited VSO can help at no charge for basic claims assistance.
Mental health & suicide prevention
If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line immediately: dial 988 and press 1, text 838255, or chat via VA resources.
How to Apply for Montana Veteran Benefits
- MVAD Veteran Service Office — free claims and benefits navigation. Start at veterans.mt.gov
- Crisis support — Veterans Crisis Line: dial 988 then press 1, or text 838255
- VA health care — enroll through VA; Fort Harrison VAMC 406-442-6410 · VA Montana Health Care
- MDV property tax — DOR electronic or paper MDV form by April 15 · MDV program
- MUS tuition waivers — campus financial aid + Award Montana / fact sheets for NG, honorable discharge, and war orphan waivers · MUS waivers
- State veterans homes — contact Columbia Falls, Glendive, or Butte facility for admissions
- Cemeteries — pre-registration and interment applications via MVAD cemeteries
- Employment — Job Service Montana / identify as a veteran for priority of service · DLI Veteran Services
- Military Family Relief Fund — DMA MMFRF
- Federal VA — va.gov · 800-698-2411 · Find VA-accredited help
Official Resources & Contacts
Use these official links to verify and claim Montana veteran benefits. Prefer .gov sources over third-party summaries.
| Resource | Link / contact |
|---|---|
| Montana Veteran Affairs Division | veterans.mt.gov |
| VA Montana Health Care / Fort Harrison | va.gov/montana-health-care · 406-442-6410 |
| VA facility locator | Find locations |
| DOR — MDV property tax | revenue.mt.gov MDV |
| DOR — military taxes | Taxes for military members |
| MUS tuition waivers | mus.edu waivers |
| Job Service Montana / Veteran Services | wsd.dli.mt.gov |
| DMA — Military Family Relief Fund | dma.mt.gov |
| State veterans homes | MVH · EMVH · SWMVH |
| State veterans cemeteries | MVAD cemeteries |
| MVD military/veteran plates & designation | mvdmt.gov |
| Veterans Crisis Line | 988 then 1 · text 838255 |
| VA.gov | va.gov · 800-698-2411 |
| Homeless veterans hotline | 877-424-3838 |
Proud Veteran provides general information for veterans and families. We do not determine eligibility, provide legal or tax advice, or replace MVAD, the Montana Department of Revenue, Montana University System campuses, or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Verify every benefit with the linked official sources before you apply. Discharge character, disability rating, residency, and income rules are strict.
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