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Michigan — 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 Michigan
Status / Rating Headline Benefits Unlocked
Active Duty Military pay fully state-income-tax-exempt; free non-lottery hunting/fishing (MI resident); Military Family Relief Fund; CDL skills test waiver; resident tuition rate
Guard / Reserve MINGSTAP tuition ($14,400/yr UG; $6,000/yr grad); State-Sponsored Life Insurance (SSLI); Military Family Relief Fund; civil service preference (after 90 days AD); resident tuition rate
Military Retiree Retirement pay fully state-income-tax-exempt (no cap, no age limit); civil service preference; Veteran DL designation; SDVOB preference if service-disabled
Veteran (honorable, no rating) Civil service preference (+5 pts); MVTF emergency grant (wartime service or qualifying peacetime); Veterans Trust Fund; Veteran DL designation; initial pro-license fee waiver; CVTG for qualifying children; $300 county burial allowance
0% SC Same as veteran no-rating; SDVOB preference if SC disability documented; $250 income tax personal exemption (any SC rating); homestead property tax credit up to $1,900 (income-tested, taxable value ≤ $165,400)
10–20% Same as 0%; civil service +10 pts (disabled vet); $250 income tax exemption; SDVOB procurement preference (up to 10%)
30–40% Same as 10–20%; veteran treatment court eligibility; proposed SB 821 lifetime hunting/fishing at $100 (not yet law)
50–60% Free DV plate (standard registration fees apply); civil service +10 pts; SDVOB preference; proposed SB 821 $75 lifetime license (not yet law)
70–90% Same as 50–60%; proposed SB 821 tiered lifetime hunting/fishing at $50 (not yet law)
100% schedular Free non-lottery hunting/fishing (for disabilities other than blindness); free state park entry (with DV plate); DV plate Tier 1 (free plate + free registration at 100% P&T/IU); $250 income tax exemption; CVTG for children; Michigan Veteran Homes; SDVOB
TDIU All 100% P&T benefits apply at IU rating (per MVAA guidance); DV plate Tier 1; free registration; property tax full exemption; free hunting/fishing (non-lottery, other than blindness)
P&T Full homestead property tax exemption (auto-renew from 2026; no income limit; Form 5107); all Tier 10/11 benefits; DV plate Tier 1
SMC (Housebound/A&A) All P&T benefits; VA SAH/SHA assistance qualifies for property tax exemption; Michigan Veteran Homes; VA A&A federal supplement up to $2,424/mo (single veteran) or $2,874/mo (married veteran)
Surviving spouse / dependents Property tax exemption continues for unremarried surviving spouse (no income limit, any homestead); CVTG for children ages 16–26 (up to $2,800/yr); homestead credit up to $1,900 (MI-1040CR-2, income-tested); DV plate transfer; SBP/DIC state-tax-free; $300 county burial allowance

Taxes

1. Property Tax — Primary Residence

Michigan resident veteran with (a) 100% permanent and total service-connected disability rating, or (b) VA Individual Unemployability (IU) rating (per MVAA guidance, IU is treated as equivalent to 100% P&T), or (c) VA certificate for pecuniary assistance for specially adapted housing. Honorable or general discharge required. Must own and occupy property as primary residence (homestead). No income limit. No asset limit.

Authority: MCL 211.7b; MCL 211.7c

2. Property Tax — Vehicle / Personal Property

Michigan does not levy an annual ad valorem personal property tax on privately owned motor vehicles. Vehicle registration is a flat fee structure. No separate vehicle property tax exemption applies (see Category 10 for registration fee waivers).

3. Vehicle Sales / Use Tax

**Proposed exemption (HB 5274 / HB 5257):** A bill introduced November 2025 would exempt motor vehicle purchases by qualifying disabled veterans (those who meet the MCL 211.7b definition — 100% P&T, IU, or SAH recipients) from the General Sales Tax Act. Proposed effective date: January 1, 2026. The bill is tied to a companion bill (HB 5257) and only takes effect if both are enacted. Both bills were still in committee as of May 2026 and have not been signed into law. Source: Michigan Legislature, 2025-HIB-5274 (legislature.mi.gov).
Verify locally: **Current confirmed law (as of May 2026):** Michigan does not provide a statutory sales/use tax exemption on vehicle purchases for veterans. **Action:** Check Michigan Department of Treasury (michigan. gov/treasury) or MVAA (800-642-4838) to confirm whether HB 5274/5257 has been enacted before purchase, as the bills were still in committee as of May 2026.

4. State Income Tax — Active Duty Military Pay

All active-duty service members. **Benefit:** Active-duty military pay is **fully exempt** from Michigan individual income tax. Applies to basic pay, special pay, bonuses, and combat zone exclusions. **How to claim:** Deduct on Michigan Schedule 1 to the extent included in adjusted gross income. Report on Schedule W even if no MI tax was withheld. **Authority:** MCL 206.30

Authority: MCL 206.30

5. State Income Tax — Military Retirement Pay

All military retirees (all branches; reserve component including Michigan National Guard retirement). **Benefit:** Military retirement pay is **fully exempt** from Michigan individual income tax. No age restriction. No cap. No income limit. **Michigan National Guard state retirement:** $600 per year ($50/month) for qualifying NG retirees (19 years, 6 months, and 1 day minimum service, age 55+). Also exempt from state income tax. Surviving spouse receives $500/year ($41.67/month) until death. **How to claim:** Deduct on MI Schedule 1. **Authority:** MCL 206.30; MCL 32.811 (Act 150 of 1967, Chapter 7 Retirement)

Authority: MCL 206.30; MCL 32.811 (Act 150 of 1967, Chapter 7 Retirement)

6. State Income Tax — SBP Annuity

All surviving spouses and beneficiaries receiving Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity payments. **Benefit:** SBP payments are **fully exempt** from Michigan individual income tax. **Authority:** MCL 206.30

Authority: MCL 206.30

7. State Income Tax — General

**$250 personal exemption for disabled veterans:** Veterans with ANY VA service-connected disability rating are eligible for an additional **$250 personal exemption** for each qualifying disabled veteran and for each qualifying disabled veteran dependent. This is in addition to the standard exemption on MI-1040. "Qualified disabled veteran" under MCL 206.30 means a veteran with any service-connected disability (any rating threshold), not limited to 100% P&T. Authority: MCL 206.30(3)(b), effective for tax years after 2007.

8. Sales Tax Exemption

Michigan does not issue a general veteran sales tax exemption card for retail purchases of goods or services. No blanket sales tax exemption exists for veterans. (Potential vehicle-specific exemption under HB 5274 pending — see Category 3.)

9. Other State Tax Breaks

**Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOB) procurement preference:** State contract pricing preference of up to 10% (see Category 38).

Vehicle, Travel & ID

10. Vehicle Registration Fee

**Tier 1 — 100% P&T or IU (per MVAA guidance):** Full **annual registration fee waiver** for one vehicle registered with a Disabled Veteran plate. No plate fee, no annual registration tax. Plate renews free on veteran's birthday.

Authority: MCL 257.803f (as amended by HB 5127, 2024)

11. Disabled Veteran License Plates

- 50%–99% SC: DV plate issued; free plate (standard registration fees apply) - 100% P&T or IU: DV plate issued; free plate + full annual registration fee exemption; disability parking tab included free

Authority: MCL 257.803f (as amended 2024)

12. Other Veteran / Military Specialty Plates

Medal of Honor, Ex-POW, and Disabled Veteran plates all include a **free Recreation Passport** (state park vehicle entry) for the plate holder.
Verify locally: | Plate | Eligibility | Fee notes | |---|---|---| | Medal of Honor | MOH recipients | Free | | Purple Heart (Combat Wounded) | Purple Heart recipients | Standard plate fee | | Ex-Prisoner of War | Former POW | Free Recreation Passport included | | Pearl Harbor Survivor | Pearl Harbor survivors | Verify fee at SOS | | Army / Air Force / Navy / Marine / Coast Guard Veteran | Honorably discharged, respective branch | Standard plate fee | | Gold Star Family | Immediate family of service member KIA (spouse, parents, siblings, children, stepchildren) | Standard; Form SOS-446 | | Combat Veteran (WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, OEF/OIF) | Era-specific combat veterans | Verify fee at SOS | Medal of Honor, Ex-POW, and Disabled Veteran plates all include a **free Recreation Passport** (state park vehicle entry) for the plate holder.

13. Toll Road / Bridge Exemption

Michigan has no statewide veteran toll exemption program. Primary toll facilities (Ambassador Bridge, Blue Water Bridge, Detroit-Windsor Tunnel, Gordie Howe International Bridge, Mackinac Bridge, Grosse Isle Bridge, Sault Ste. Marie Bridge) are privately operated or international crossings with their own fee structures. No veteran-specific discount is documented for any Michigan crossing as of 2026. Confirm directly with any specific crossing operator if you believe a local discount may apply.

14. Public Transit Discount

**No statewide program.** Michigan does not have a statewide veteran public transit discount.
Verify locally: No veteran-specific discount has been confirmed for DDOT, SMART, AAATA, or other major southeast Michigan agencies as of 2026.

15. Disabled Parking Privileges

**Included with DV plate:** The disability parking tab issued with DV plates (50%+ SC) allows parking in designated accessible spaces at no additional charge.

16. Driver License / State ID Fee

**Veteran designation on DL/ID:** Honorably or generally discharged veterans may request a **"Veteran" designation** (printed in red on the front of the DL/ID) at no additional charge. Accepted statewide as proof of veteran status for many benefit programs.

17. CDL Fee / Skills-Test Waiver

- Military training and employment in equivalent vehicle class within past 12 months - 2+ years driving experience - No more than one license in the past 2 years (military license excluded) - No license suspensions or revocations in past 2 years - No disqualifying traffic convictions - Maximum 1 serious traffic violation in past 2 years

18. Veteran Designation on DL / ID

See Category 16. The free "Veteran" designation printed in red is available to all honorably or generally discharged veterans. Accepted statewide for benefit programs and often replaces the need to carry a DD-214 for routine benefit claims.

Outdoor Recreation

19. Hunting License

Michigan resident veteran with 100% P&T service-connected disability **for a disability other than blindness**, or IU rating from VA. - **Benefit:** All non-lottery hunting licenses are free. Lottery-based licenses (e.g., elk, certain antlerless tags) are not included. - **Active duty (Michigan resident):** Full-time active-duty Michigan residents also receive free non-lottery hunting licenses. - **Documentation:** VA disability letter confirming 100% P&T or IU. Carry while hunting. - **Where:** Any DNR Customer Service Center or mdnr-elicense.com. - **Authority:** MCL 324.43514
Verify locally: - **Documentation:** VA disability letter confirming 100% P&T or IU. Confirm status at michigan.

Authority: MCL 324.43514

20. Fishing License — Freshwater

Same as hunting (Category 19). Michigan resident veterans with 100% P&T or IU receive all non-lottery freshwater fishing licenses free **for disabilities other than blindness**. Active-duty Michigan residents also receive free non-lottery licenses.

Authority: MCL 324.43514

21. Fishing License — Saltwater

No distinct saltwater license category in Michigan.

22. Combination Hunt/Fish License

Same as Categories 19–20. Free combination hunt/fish licenses for qualifying 100% P&T or IU Michigan resident veterans (for disabilities other than blindness) through the same DNR licensing process. Active-duty Michigan residents also qualify.

23. Trapping License

**No confirmed veteran free trapping license.** The free license provision under MCL 324.43514 covers hunting and fishing licenses. Michigan trapping (fur harvester) licenses are issued under a separate application process and statute. No confirmed veteran exemption from fur harvester license fees has been documented as of 2026. Confirm current policy with Michigan DNR (517-284-7275) or MVAA (800-642-4838) before applying.
Verify locally: **No confirmed veteran free trapping license. No confirmed veteran exemption from fur harvester license fees has been documented as of 2026. Confirm current policy with Michigan DNR (517-284-7275) or MVAA (800-642-4838) before applying.

24. State Parks — Day Use / Entrance

**Free entry with DV, POW, or MOH plate:** Veterans with a valid Disabled Veteran, Ex-Prisoner of War, or Medal of Honor plate receive free vehicle entry to all facilities requiring a Michigan Recreation Passport — covering all 103 state parks and recreation areas, 140+ state forest campgrounds, approximately 1,000 boating access sites, and thousands of miles of trails.

25. State Parks — Camping

Day-entry (Recreation Passport) is free for qualifying veterans with DV/POW/MOH plate. **Camping fees are charged separately** from the entry pass. No confirmed statewide veteran-specific camping fee waiver.
Verify locally: No confirmed statewide veteran-specific camping fee waiver.

26. State Parks — Annual / Lifetime Pass

**Lifetime access via DV plate:** Veterans with a valid Disabled Veteran, Medal of Honor, or Ex-Prisoner of War plate receive free entry as long as they hold the plate — effectively a lifetime pass with no separate annual purchase required.

27. Boat / Watercraft Registration

No veteran-specific boat registration fee waiver exists in Michigan as of 2026. Standard 3-year registration fees apply ($14–$448+ depending on vessel length). The Recreation Passport (free for qualifying veterans via DV plate) covers access to boating access sites but does not waive vessel registration fees. Source: Michigan SOS watercraft registration schedule; Michigan DNR boating rules.

Education

28. In-State Tuition

Veterans, active-duty service members, and their dependents are entitled to **in-state resident tuition rates** at all Michigan public colleges and universities regardless of state residency status, under the federal Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) and Michigan institutional policies.

29. Tuition Waiver — Disabled Veteran

Michigan does not have a standalone tuition waiver or free tuition program for disabled veterans themselves based on disability rating alone at state public institutions. The in-state tuition rate (Category 28) applies. Dependent children are covered by the CVTG (Category 30).

30. Dependent Education Benefit

**Children of Veterans Tuition Grant (CVTG)** — Act 248 of 2005, MCL 390.1341 et seq.

31. Spouse Education Benefit

**No standalone state spouse tuition benefit** for veteran spouses beyond federal programs.

32. National Guard / Reserve Tuition Assistance

**Michigan National Guard State Tuition Assistance Program (MINGSTAP)**

33. K-12 Support

**Michigan Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3):** - Timely enrollment without waiting periods - Protection from academic disadvantage due to records transfer delays - Accommodation of course-sequencing differences - On-time graduation support for military children - Applies to active-duty, National Guard, and Reserve families - Contact: 517-481-8092 or 517-335-0543

34. State Student Loan / Scholarship

**No confirmed Michigan state veteran loan forgiveness or dedicated veteran scholarship** beyond the CVTG (Category 30) and MINGSTAP (Category 32).
Verify locally: **No confirmed Michigan state veteran loan forgiveness or dedicated veteran scholarship** beyond the CVTG (Category 30) and MINGSTAP (Category 32).

Employment & Licensing

35. Veterans Hiring Preference

90+ days active duty, honorable discharge, not eligible for military retired pay (retirees may qualify under additional conditions per 2021 expansion). Separating service members may apply within 6 months of separation.

36. Professional License Fee Waiver

**LARA initial license fee waiver:** Veterans receive a waiver of the initial license, registration, and application processing fee for professional licenses regulated by LARA's Bureau of Community and Health Systems and Bureau of Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing.

37. Professional License Reciprocity — Military Spouse

**Temporary license for active-duty spouses:** Spouses of active-duty members holding valid professional licenses from other U.S. jurisdictions may obtain temporary Michigan professional licenses through LARA while the service member is stationed in Michigan.

38. Business License Fee Break

**Business entity filing fee waiver:** Veterans receive a waiver of initial business entity filing fees (e.g., LLC formation) through LARA's Corporations, Securities and Commercial Licensing Bureau. File Veteran Fee Waiver Request form with DD-214 or state DL with Veteran designation.

39. Civil Service / Retirement Credit

**Hiring preference points:** See Category 35.

Housing & Financial

40. State Home Loan / Down-Payment Assistance

**No Michigan-specific veteran state home loan program.** Veterans use the federal VA Home Loan Guaranty program. Michigan conforming loan limit (2026): **$832,750** for all counties.

41. Financial Assistance / Emergency Relief

- 180+ days active duty during a wartime period (honorable discharge) - Service-connected discharge with any active-duty period during wartime - Separation due to mental or physical disability incurred in the line of duty (minimum one day of wartime service) - 180+ days active duty with an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Navy Expeditionary Medal, or Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal - Peacetime veteran age 65+ with 180+ days service (added December 2021)

42. State Veteran Bonus

Michigan does not currently offer a state service or combat bonus to veterans. Historical bonus programs for earlier eras have closed. No active legislation establishing a new wartime bonus has been confirmed.

43. Specially Adapted Housing — State Supplement

**No state-funded adapted housing supplement program** separate from federal VA grants.

44. Utility / Heating Assistance

**MVTF emergency grants** can cover utility bills (see Category 41).
Verify locally: Rates are set each federal fiscal year; confirm the current season's rates at michigan. **No Michigan veteran-exclusive utility discount program** confirmed beyond MVTF grant eligibility.

Health & Support

45. State Veterans Home / Nursing Home

- Honorable discharge - 90+ days active duty (if enlisted after Sept 7, 1980, or entered after Oct 16, 1981: must have served 24 continuous months or full initial obligated period) - Eligible for VA healthcare or VA financial assistance for long-term care - Michigan residency is NOT required

46. Behavioral / Mental Health Programs

**Michigan Veteran Homes:** All three facilities provide mental health and social work services. Grand Rapids has a specialized advanced psychiatric program (see Category 45).

47. Dental / Vision / Health Programs

No separate Michigan state dental, vision, or comprehensive health insurance program for veterans exists beyond VA healthcare eligibility (a federal benefit) and services provided at Michigan Veteran Homes.

48. Long-Term Care / Aid & Attendance Supplement

**Michigan Veteran Homes** provide LTC at income-based rates (see Category 45). VA Aid & Attendance pension supplements are available to qualifying veterans in the homes.

49. Free Legal Aid / Veteran Treatment Courts

**Veteran Treatment Courts:** 30 certified courts statewide (as of February 2026). Offer diversion, treatment integration, mentorship, and accountability for justice-involved veterans with pending criminal matters related to mental health or substance use. Contact Michigan Supreme Court Problem-Solving Courts unit or michigan.gov/courts.

50. Concealed Carry / Firearms Fee Waiver

**No fee waiver — training requirement waived.** Michigan does not provide a CPL application or renewal fee waiver for veterans as of 2026. Standard fees apply: $100 (new application), $115 (renewal), paid to the county clerk. However, honorably discharged veterans are **exempt from the mandatory pistol safety training course** requirement when applying for a CPL (DD-214 required). HB 4846 of 2023, which would have exempted veterans from CPL fees, did not pass. Source: Michigan MSP CPL requirements; NRA-ILA, Michigan CPL fee reduction legislation (January 2026).

51. Vital Records / Notary Fee Waiver

**One free certified vital record copy:** A veteran is entitled to one certified copy of a Michigan vital record (birth, death, marriage) at **no charge** when the purpose is securing a veteran's bonus, pension, or compensation. The copy is marked "For Veterans Benefits Only — Not For Personal Use." Requires DD-214 and valid photo ID for birth records.

Authority: MCL 333.2891

Legal & Administrative

52. Unique State Programs

**Michigan Incarcerated Veterans' In-Reach Program (MIVIP):** Pre-release education, employment assistance, career guidance, and post-release follow-up for incarcerated veterans at 7 Michigan correctional facilities (Carson City, Cooper Street-Jackson, G. Robert Cotton-Jackson, Women's Huron Valley, Parnall, Saginaw, St. Louis). **Contact:** veteransservices@michigan.gov

Survivor Benefits

53. Surviving Spouse — Property Tax

**Full exemption continuation:** Unremarried surviving spouse of a 100% P&T / IU / SAH veteran continues the full homestead property tax exemption. Applies to any property used as homestead by the surviving spouse, including property acquired after the veteran's death. Exemption ceases only upon remarriage or departure from the homestead.

Authority: MCL 211.7b; MCL 211.7c

54. Surviving Spouse — Education

Michigan has no standalone state education grant or tuition benefit for surviving spouses of veterans. The CVTG (Category 30) covers qualifying dependent children ages 16–26. The surviving spouse herself has no confirmed Michigan state tuition benefit.

55. Dependent / Survivor State Benefit

**DIC (federal) tax treatment:** DIC payments are **state income tax-free** in Michigan.

Memorial & Burial

56. State Veterans Cemetery

Honorably discharged veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible dependents/surviving spouses. **Arrange through:** Local funeral home.

57. Burial Allowance / Plot

**County burial assistance (MCL 35.801):** County Board of Commissioners may provide **up to $300** toward burial expenses for eligible veterans (and qualifying spouses/surviving spouses) who meet county residency and asset thresholds. Not all counties pay the maximum; contact the county VSO for local limits.

58. Headstone / Memorial / Honors

**Federal programs (no cost, available to Michigan veterans):** - **Government headstone or marker:** Available for all eligible veterans at national cemeteries and approved private or state cemeteries, at no charge. - **Burial flag:** Provided at no charge for funeral services of honorably discharged veterans. - **Presidential Memorial Certificate:** Signed certificate honoring the deceased veteran; request through VA. - **Military Funeral Honors:** Ceremonial honors (flag folding, flag presentation, Taps — live or recorded) at no charge. Arrange through local funeral home or veteran service organization.
Verify locally: No additional Michigan state-funded headstone, marker, or honors program confirmed beyond federal programs.