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Louisiana — Veteran Benefits

Complete reference covering 58 benefit categories across 14 service tiers. Verify current eligibility with your County VSO before filing.

At a Glance — What Unlocks by Status / Rating

Veteran benefits unlocked at each service status and disability rating in Louisiana
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty Resident hunting/fishing prices; 50% state park day-use discount; mandatory 25% auto-insurance discount (Act 173 of 2024, effective Jan. 1 2025); CDL skills-test waiver; USERRA reemployment rights; 15 days paid state employee leave; in-state tuition status
Guard / Reserve STEP full tuition exemption + Patriot Scholarship (fees) at Louisiana public colleges; $250,000 death / $100,000 disability benefit (post-9/11 activation, La. R.S. 29:26.1); MFAF financial assistance; resident hunting/fishing prices
Military Retiree Military retirement pay fully state-tax-free (no cap, no age threshold); $20 combo hunt/fish license; optional 25% auto-insurance discount (insurer receives state tax credit); free driver's license (50%+ SC); GeauxPass free passage on LA-1 and LA-23 with qualifying plate
Veteran — honorable, no rating 5-pt civil service hiring preference; $20 combo hunt/fish license; free CCW permit; CDL skills-test waiver; in-state tuition status; MFAF financial assistance eligibility; 15% state park facility rental discount
0% SC Same as no-rating tier; VA compensation acknowledged; CCW permitless carry eligibility ⚠️ verify locally
10–20% SC All no-rating benefits; property-tax graduated exemption does not yet apply (threshold is 50%)
30–40% SC Same as 10–20%; property-tax threshold not yet met
50–60% SC Property-tax: additional $2,500 assessed-value exemption (stacks on homestead); special assessment level (value freeze); free DV plate (no renewal); free driver's license and ID; free hunting/fishing combo (all species) + WMA Access Permit; state park day-use free including vehicle occupants; free airport parking (10-day max per trip); free 7-day Port of New Orleans cruise-terminal parking; 25% auto-insurance discount (optional by insurer, tax-credit-backed); GeauxPass free on LA-1 and LA-23; any legal weapon during deer primitive firearms season (2025–26 season); MFAF up to $10,000; DVOP priority employment services
70–90% SC All 50–60% benefits; property-tax: additional $4,500 assessed-value exemption; Title 29 tuition waiver for children age 16–25 (threshold is 90% or above); veterans home free of charge
100% Schedular All 70–90% benefits; full ad valorem tax exemption (except certain municipal levies); GI Bill gap coverage (HB 167 — school waives remainder of tuition if GI Bill covers less than 100%)
TDIU Full ad valorem tax exemption same as 100% schedular (La. R.S. 47:1714); all 50%+ benefits; veterans home free; GI Bill gap coverage
P&T All 100%/TDIU benefits; surviving spouse retains property-tax exemption if unremarried; CHAMPVA (federal); CRDP concurrent receipt (federal)
SMC (Housebound/A&A) Same state benefits as P&T (no additional Louisiana-state SMC monetary supplement); veterans homes free for 70–100% SC
Surviving spouse / dependents Full ad valorem exemption if veteran died on active duty (unremarried, portable to new primary residence); Title 29 tuition waiver for surviving spouse (10-year window); $20 combo hunt/fish license; $4 hunt/fish license if KIA; $250,000 National Guard death benefit (RS 29:26.1); DIC (federal); CHAMPVA (federal); veterans home eligibility

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Service-connected disability rating of 50% or higher; primary residence; Louisiana resident.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:1714; La. Const. Art. VII §21(K); Louisiana Amendment 2 (2022); La. Const. Art. VII §18(G) (special assessment level).

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

Louisiana does not impose a statewide personal-property tax on vehicles, so no veteran-specific vehicle ad valorem exemption exists at the state level. Parish-level vehicle property taxes vary; no statewide veteran exemption identified. ⚠️ Verify locally with your parish tax collector.

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

**Current law:** Louisiana does not provide a blanket vehicle sales tax exemption for veterans or disabled veterans. Veterans pay standard state and local sales tax on vehicle purchases. Louisiana SB 45 (2025 Regular Session), which would have exempted certain veterans from vehicle sales and use taxes, passed the Senate 36–0 but **died in the House Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works** and was not enacted.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:302(D)(1); La. R.S. 47:305.48; legiscan.com (SB 45 — died in committee 2025); Louisiana Department of Revenue.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

Louisiana-resident active-duty service members stationed outside Louisiana for 120 or more consecutive days.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:293(9)(a)(vii); La. Dept. of Revenue.

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

All Louisiana-resident military retirees regardless of disability rating or age.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:44.2; La. Dept. of Revenue.

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

Survivors receiving SBP, Reserve Component SBP, or RSFPP annuity payments.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:44.2; La. R.S. 47:293(9)(a)(vii).

7. State Income Tax — General

Louisiana's flat state income tax rate is **3%** (effective January 1, 2025; replaced prior graduated structure topping at 4.25%).
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally with Louisiana Dept.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:293; La. R.S. 47:44.2; La. Dept. of Revenue.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Louisiana does not issue a statewide veteran sales-tax exemption card or blanket sales-tax exemption for veteran purchases. No such program exists in Louisiana statutes or LDVA materials.

9. Other State Tax Breaks

**Auto Insurance Discount (25%):**

Authority: La. R.S. 22:1482 (as amended by Act 173 of 2024, effective Jan. 1, 2025).

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

Louisiana resident with service-connected disability of 50% or more.
Verify locally: **Action:** Apply through Louisiana OMV Specialized Vehicle Unit (225-925-6371 or 225-925-6146); provide LDVA Form A-25 or VA rating letter confirming 50%+ SC rating.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:490.4.

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

See §10 above. 50%+ SC disabled veterans receive a DV plate at no cost with no annual renewal. A free handicap hang-tag is issued on request at no charge.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:490.4; La. R.S. 47:490.31.

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

**Authority:** La. R.S. 47:490.4; La. R.S. 47:490.31; La. R.S. 47:490.32; Louisiana OMV specialty plate registry.

Authority: La. R.S. 47:490.4; La. R.S. 47:490.31; La. R.S. 47:490.32; Louisiana OMV specialty plate registry.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

Louisiana-resident veterans and service members with a DV, Purple Heart, or Military Honors license plate, or documentation of qualifying disability or service.

Authority: Louisiana statutes governing veterans toll exemptions; La. DOTD GeauxPass FAQ; LDVA state benefits page.

How to apply: Create a GeauxPass account at geauxpass.com; submit documentation via Account Management → Web Inquiry Form.

14. Public Transit Discount

No statewide veteran free or reduced-fare public transit program. Some local transit authorities (e.g., RTA in New Orleans) may offer independent discounts. ⚠️ Verify locally with your regional transit authority.

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

Veterans holding a DV plate (50%+ SC disability).

Authority: La. R.S. 47:490.4 (hang-tag provision).

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

Honorably discharged veterans with service-connected disability of 50% or more.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Fee waiver application at privatized OMV offices may vary — verify locally.

Authority: Louisiana OMV; LDVA state benefits page.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

Service members (active or separated within one year) who were licensed on a military vehicle similar to the CDL class sought.

Authority: Federal FMCSA CDL military waiver program; implemented in Louisiana.

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

Any honorably discharged Louisiana-resident veteran.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally.

Authority: Louisiana OMV policy; LDVA state benefits page.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

**Free Disabled Veteran Hunting License (50%+ SC):**
Verify locally: ⚠️ Contact LDWF (225-765-2887) to confirm if any trapping benefit exists.

Authority: La. R.S. 56:644(B); La. R.S. 56:3000.H(1); LDWF special-licenses page; LWFC DE September 2025.

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

**Free (50%+ SC):** Basic Fishing License included in the Disabled Veteran License (see §19).

Authority: La. R.S. 56:644; LDWF special-licenses page.

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

**Free (50%+ SC):** Saltwater Fishing License included in the Disabled Veteran License package.

Authority: La. R.S. 56:644; LDWF.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

**Free Disabled Veteran Combo (50%+ SC):**

Authority: La. R.S. 56:644; LDWF; LDWF announcement August 2025.

23. Trapping License

Trapping licenses are explicitly not included in the free Disabled Veteran License package (confirmed by LDWF). No separate veteran trapping license exemption or discount identified in Louisiana statutes or LDWF materials. ⚠️ Contact LDWF (225-765-2887) to verify whether any trapping benefit exists under the $20 honorably discharged veteran combo.

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

Disabled veterans with 50%+ SC disability holding the LDVA-issued Disabled State Park Pass.

Authority: Louisiana Dept. of Culture, Recreation and Tourism; lastateparks.com/special-ratesdiscounts; LDVA state benefits page.

25. State Parks — Camping

**Unavailable as a free veteran benefit** — No veteran-specific free camping benefit. The Disabled State Park Pass covers day-use admission only; overnight camping fees apply at standard rates.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally whether "retired military" includes all honorably discharged veterans.

Authority: lastateparks.com/special-ratesdiscounts.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**Disabled State Park Pass (free for 50%+ SC disabled veterans):** Covers day-use admission at all Louisiana state parks. Obtained through LDVA parish service office, not through the park.

Authority: lastateparks.com; LDVA state benefits page.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee waiver in Louisiana statutes or LDWF materials. La. R.S. 47:490.4 (DV plate) explicitly covers motor vehicles only and does not extend to watercraft. ⚠️ Verify locally with Louisiana Dept. of Wildlife and Fisheries or OMV regarding watercraft title and registration fees for disabled veterans.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

Veterans using VA education benefits (e.g., GI Bill), their spouses, children, and active-duty service members living in Louisiana are eligible for in-state tuition at Louisiana public colleges regardless of Louisiana domicile status, under the federal Veterans Access, Choice and Accountability Act.

Authority: Federal Choice Act; Louisiana Board of Regents policy; La. R.S. 17:3351.

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

**Louisiana Title 29 Tuition Exemption (children of living veterans):**
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify current implementation with your school's veterans certifying official and LOSFA (mylosfa.

Authority: La. R.S. 29:288 (Title 29); Louisiana HB 167 (GI Bill gap coverage, enacted); LOSFA (mylosfa.la.gov).

30. Dependent Education Benefit

**See §29 above (Title 29).** Children age 16–25 of veterans with 90% or above SC disability (living veterans) or veterans who died on active duty / went POW/MIA (any rating, 12-month residency) qualify for full tuition and fees waiver at Louisiana public institutions.

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**Living veteran's spouse:** NOT eligible for Title 29 when the veteran is living (only children of living veterans qualify).
Verify locally: ⚠️ Confirm with LDVA whether any other state education benefit applies.

Authority: La. R.S. 29:288; LDVA Title 29 program (vetaffairs.la.gov/education/title-29).

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

**State Tuition Exemption Program (STEP):**

Authority: La. R.S. 29:280 (STEP); geauxguard.la.gov; mylosfa.la.gov.

33. K-12 Support

**Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3):** Louisiana is a member of the 50-state compact. Eases enrollment, grade and credit transfers, graduation requirements, and prevents academic penalties for military-connected children transferring schools.

Authority: MIC3 compact; Louisiana SCR 15 (2021); Louisiana Dept. of Education (doe.louisiana.gov/families-and-students/military-families).

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

No Louisiana-specific veteran state scholarship or loan program (separate from Title 29, STEP/Patriot, and HB 167 GI Bill gap coverage) identified. Federal GI Bill (Ch. 33), MGIB (Ch. 30), VR&E (Ch. 31), and DEA (Ch. 35) are available through VA. ⚠️ Verify locally with Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (mylosfa.la.gov) for any newer programs.

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

**Louisiana State and City Civil Service:**

Authority: Louisiana State Civil Service regulations; La. R.S. 42:Chapter 2; civilservice.louisiana.gov.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**CDL skills-test waiver:** See §17.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally with your specific licensing board.

Authority: La. R.S. 40:1379.3(W) (Act 44 of 2016); La. R.S. 37:3650.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

Spouses of active-duty service members who relocate to Louisiana due to a permanent change of station order.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally with your specific licensing board for turnaround time.

Authority: La. R.S. 37:3650 (Military Service Relief Act).

38. Business License Fee Break

**Louisiana Veteran Initiative (LVI):**
Verify locally: **Louisiana Veteran Initiative (LVI):** - Eligibility: 51%+ veteran-owned; principal place of business in Louisiana; fewer than 50 full-time employees; annual gross receipts under $6 million (non-construction) or under $10 million (construction) — ⚠️ verify current thresholds at opportunitylouisiana.

Authority: Louisiana Revised Statutes; LDVA Veterans First Business Initiative; Louisiana Procurement Policy Office.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**State employee paid military leave:** 15 days paid leave annually for state employees who are reserve component members ordered to duty or training.

Authority: La. R.S. 42:394; USERRA (38 U.S.C. §4301 et seq.); Louisiana Military Service Relief Act.

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

**Unavailable as a distinct state veteran home-loan program** — Louisiana does not operate its own state veteran home-loan program separate from the federal VA home-loan guarantee. Veterans use the federal VA loan (zero down, no PMI) through participating lenders.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify current veteran-targeted products at lhc.

Authority: VA home-loan guarantee (38 U.S.C. §3710); LHC (lhc.la.gov); HUD-VASH.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

- Current Louisiana National Guard or U.S. Armed Forces Reserve member in good standing, OR - Veteran with honorable or under-honorable-conditions discharge and 24+ months continuous active duty, OR - Veteran with honorable discharge and 90+ days active duty with early/hardship discharge, OR - Service-connected disabled veteran receiving VA compensation (any rating), OR - Veteran discharged after fewer than 90 days due to service-connected disability. - Immediate family members of the above may also qualify. - Must be "payer of last resort" (other assistance exhausted first).

Authority: La. R.S. 46:122.

42. State Veteran Bonus

Louisiana does not operate an active state military service bonus program. Historical bonuses were paid to WWII Merchant Marine veterans (La. R.S. 29:294) but that program is closed. No active post-Vietnam, post-Gulf War, or post-9/11 Louisiana state bonus. ⚠️ Verify locally with LDVA for any recent legislative changes.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

**No separate Louisiana-state adapted housing supplement identified.**
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify availability and current cap at fhlb.

Authority: 38 U.S.C. §2101 (SAH/SHA); FHLB HAVEN program.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**MFAF covers utilities** (see §41): The Military Family Assistance Fund explicitly covers electricity, gas, water, sewage, and garbage as eligible expenses.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally with LDVA and Louisiana community action agencies.

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

90+ days active duty with honorable discharge (or SC disability discharge if fewer than 90 days), OR 20+ years Guard/Reserve service qualifying for military retirement; Louisiana resident (exceptions for VA referral). Spouses, surviving spouses, and Gold Star Parents also eligible.

Authority: La. R.S. 29:211 et seq.; vetaffairs.la.gov/homes.

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Veterans Treatment Courts:** Available in multiple Louisiana judicial districts (Caddo/Shreveport, Livingston Parish/21st JDC, 14th JDC, and others). Non-violent veteran offenders may be diverted into treatment programs; successful completion can result in record clearance. Programs address PTSD, TBI, substance abuse, and co-occurring disorders.

Authority: La. R.S. 13:5366; lasc.libguides.com/veterans-courts (parish-by-parish directory).

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

**Unavailable as a Louisiana state program** — Louisiana does not operate a separate state-funded dental, vision, or general health program for veterans. These benefits are delivered through the federal VA health-care system.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

**No separate Louisiana state Aid and Attendance monetary supplement** identified. Federal A&A is available through the VA pension program.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally whether federal A&A offsets the free-of-charge veterans home placement.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

**Southeast Louisiana Legal Services:** Free legal assistance to low-income veterans through a state partnership. ⚠️ Verify locally for current service area and income eligibility.
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally for current service area and income eligibility.

Authority: La. R.S. 13:5366 (Veterans Courts); La. R.S. 40:40 et seq. (vital records); LDVA benefit materials; NVLSP.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**CCW Permit — Free for any honorably discharged veteran:**
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify current statutory status of La.

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

**Free certified copies of vital records** for VA benefits applications (see §49).
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally.

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Airport Parking — Free (up to 10 days) for 50%+ SC disabled veterans:**
Verify locally: ⚠️ Verify locally whether a Louisiana-residency requirement applies for this benefit.

Authority: La. R.S. 29:27.1.

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**Veteran died on active duty (including Louisiana National Guard on state/federal activation):** Unremarried surviving spouse who owns and occupies the property is fully exempt from all ad valorem taxes. Exemption is portable to a new primary residence (up to the amount of the exemption on the first property).

Authority: La. R.S. 47:1714; La. Const. Art. VII §21; SB 180 (2026 ballot measure).

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

**Louisiana Title 29 Tuition Exemption for Surviving Spouse:**

Authority: La. R.S. 29:288; LDVA Title 29 program (vetaffairs.la.gov/education/title-29).

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**Louisiana does not have a separate state DIC-equivalent monthly payment.**

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

- Discharged under other-than-dishonorable conditions, OR - Died on active duty, OR - 20+ years Guard/Reserve service eligible for military retirement, OR - Activated reserve component member (training-only activation does not qualify). - Spouses and dependent children (unmarried children under 21, or under 23 if full-time student, or child with lifelong disability with onset before age 21).

Authority: La. R.S. 29:217 et seq.; LDVA Veterans Cemeteries program.

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

**No separate Louisiana state burial allowance.** The five state veterans cemeteries provide free burial (including opening/closing and perpetual care) as the primary state-level burial support.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**Military Funeral Honors:**

Authority: 38 U.S.C. §2306 (headstones/markers); 38 U.S.C. §2302 (flags); LDVA state benefits page.