State file · LA
Veteran benefits in Louisiana
Louisiana excludes federal retirement pay from state income tax, doubles the homestead exemption for 100% disabled veterans, waives National Guard tuition at state schools, and operates five state veterans homes. Here's the landscape, category by category.
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Financial benefits
Retired military pay not taxed
Federal retirement benefits, including retired military pay, are excluded from Louisiana state income tax. Persons 65 or older may also exclude up to $6,000 of other annual retirement income, and compensation or retired pay of World War II veterans honorably discharged for physical disability is exempt from taxation.
DIC not taxed
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died in service or from service-related causes. Survivor Benefit Plan payments, however, are generally subject to state taxes.
Homestead exemption for disabled veterans
Veterans with a service-connected rating of 100%, unemployability, or total disability qualify for an additional homestead exemption on the next $7,500 of assessed property valuation. Surviving spouses remain eligible if they occupy and own the property.
Sales tax picture
Statewide sales tax is 4.45%, with local additions of up to 7.0%; the combined average is roughly 9.11%.
Recreation
Free hunting & fishing licenses
Louisiana resident veterans with a service-connected permanent disability rated 50% or higher receive free hunting and fishing licenses; active duty members and their dependents can purchase licenses at resident rates.
State park admission
Disabled veterans and the occupants of their vehicle are exempt from the day-use entrance fee at Louisiana state parks, and active duty members plus one family member receive a 50% discount.
Education programs
Title 29 Dependents Educational Assistance
Educational assistance for surviving spouses of deceased veterans and for children (ages 16–25) of veterans rated 90% or more disabled or 100% unemployable. The veteran must have lived in Louisiana for at least 12 months before service — or 24 months before the child's admission for living veterans — and surviving spouses have 10 years to use the benefit.
National Guard tuition exemption
Members of the Louisiana National Guard are exempt from tuition at any state-funded college, university, or vocational-technical school for five years or until completing a bachelor's degree, whichever comes first.
Veteran housing
Louisiana State Veterans Homes
Louisiana operates state veterans homes in Bossier City, Jackson, Jennings, Monroe, and Reserve. Residents must be honorably discharged Louisiana residents; spouses and Gold Star parents are eligible if they meet the basic criteria, with monthly costs based on ability to pay.
Employment & job training
Civil service preference
Civil service departments award a 5-point preference to honorably discharged veterans and 10 points to honorably discharged service-connected disabled veterans. Spouses of veterans rated unemployable, unmarried widows of deceased veterans, and Gold Star parents are also eligible.
Military skills licensing
Veterans with qualifying military occupational specialties can obtain a corresponding professional license or certification for civilian work.
Burials & memorials
National cemeteries in Louisiana
Louisiana hosts Baton Rouge National Cemetery, Alexandria National Cemetery in Pineville, and the Louisiana and Port Hudson national cemeteries in Zachary. There is no charge for veterans; small fees apply for spouses and dependent children.
VA resources in Louisiana
New Orleans Regional Benefits Office
The VA regional office serving Louisiana for benefits claims and questions.
Official siteSoutheast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System
VA medical care for the New Orleans area.
Official siteAlexandria VA Health Care System
VA medical care for central Louisiana, based in Pineville.
Official siteOverton Brooks VA Medical Center
VA medical care for northwest Louisiana, based in Shreveport.
Official siteBefore 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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