The state of Missouri provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.

• Housing Benefits
• Financial Assistance Benefits
• Employment Benefits
• Other State Veteran Benefits

For the following resources we recommend that you contact the Missouri State Veterans' Commission at 1-866-VET-INFO or visit their website at: www.mvc.dps.mo.gov/

Tax Exemption for AO Settle Payments
Agent Orange Settlement Payments made for the Agent Orange Fund to a veteran or his dependents are exempt from state tax.

Vietnam Veterans Survivor Grant Program
Legislation passed in 1991 provides that certain surviving widows and children of Vietnam Veterans may qualify to receive tuition-free scholarships to attend institutions of post-secondary education in Missouri. The veteran's death must be attributable to illness that could possibly be a result of exposure to toxic chemicals such as "Agent Orange" during the Vietnam conflict in order for the survivor to qualify. The maximum annual grant amount is the least of: the actual tuition charged at the school in which you are enrolled full time, or the average amount of tuition charged to a Missouri undergraduate resident enrolled full time in the same class level and in the same academic major at the Missouri public four-year, regional institutions.

For the following resources we recommend that you contact the Missouri State Veterans' Commission at 1-866-VET-INFO or visit their website at: www.mvc.dps.mo.gov/

Veterans Service Officers
Located in nearly every county of the state, Veterans Service Officers and Assistants are highly trained individuals who provide counselling and assistance in completing and submitting applications for VA and State Veterans Benefits, as well as any necessary follow-up claimwork. These services are provided free of charge to Missouri's veterans and their dependents.

State Veterans Cemeteries
Missouri Veterans Commission currently operates four State Veterans Cemeteries, one each in Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield and Jacksonville. A fifth Cemetery has been proposed at Ft. Leonard Wood. Ft. Leonard Wood transferred 227 acres in April 2006 to the State of Missouri for the purpose of the Veterans cemetery.

World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War Medals and Medallions
The Veterans Award Program was first established in 2000 with the creation of the World War II Veterans’ Award Recognition.

The World War II Veterans’ Award Recognition consists of a medal, medallion and certificate. World War II veterans who participated in the D-Day invasion of Europe are also eligible to receive a replica of the Jubilee of Liberty medal.

The Korean War Medallion was added in 2003 and in 2006 the Vietnam War Medallion was added. The Vietnam War award consists of a medal, medallion and Certificate.

Since the program began, over 41,000 Missouri veterans have been awarded the World War II Veterans’ Award Recognition.

In the 2003 legislative session, the Korean War Medallion was added. The Korean War award consists of a medal, medallion, and certificate.

Go to the Missouri National Guard's Veterans Awards website to learn more and download an application.

Free Automobile License Plates
Veterans who are rated 100% for service-connected disabilities, or in need of adaptive equipment, as well as Medal of Honor recipients, former POWs and widows of former POWs qualify for Free Automobile License Plates. Other veteran plates are available for a $15.00 fee.

Free Fishing & Hunting License
Any honorably discharged resident veteran having a service-related disability of 60% or more, or who was a prisoner of war during military service, may take fish, live bait, clams, mussels, turtles and frogs without permit (except trout permit or daily tag in areas where prescribed), and may take wildlife as provided in Chapter 7 without permit (except deer and turkey hunting permits and the Migratory Bird Hunting Permit as prescribed); provided, while hunting or fishing s/he carries a certified statement of eligibility from the Veterans Administration.