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Tennessee STRONG Act, Homes for Heroes Tennessee, Veteran Camping Discount and more
It is no secret that there are a wide variety of perks and benefits available to members of the US Armed Forces, both current Servicemembers and Veterans. The federal government provides benefits available to all personnel on a national level, but individual states also offer their benefits to their residents who currently serve or have previously served in the US military. The state of Tennessee offers many such benefits to its citizens. The disabled Veteran property tax exemption Tennessee program, the TN Strong Act, the Tennessee Veterans Home system, the Tennessee VA hospital system, and the Veterans Administration Nashville Tennessee location are all part of the Tennessee Veteran benefits network. Read on to learn more.
In addition to the numerous federal financial aid and benefits programs available to Servicemembers, the Tennessee Veterans Benefits System also offers a wide array of in-state financial programs. Many of these are specifically aimed at helping disabled Veterans through specific Tennessee disabled Veteran benefits programs.
The Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption Tennessee Program is a program designed to provide property tax relief to eligible disabled Veterans. Eligible Veterans, and potentially their surviving spouses, can receive a tax rebate or exemption on a portion of the value of their primary residence, based on a maximum market value of $175,000. To qualify, a Veteran must have a service-connected disability resulting in conditions such as paraplegia, permanent paralysis of both legs and the lower body, loss or loss of use of two or more limbs, or legal blindness. Alternatively, a Veteran with a service-connected permanent and total disability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a 100% total and permanent disability rating from being a prisoner of war may also qualify. They must also have an honorable discharge.
In Tennessee, the County Motor Vehicle Privilege Tax, commonly known as the “wheel tax,” is a local tax levied by individual counties to fund county-specific purposes, often related to roads and infrastructure. Disabled Veterans with a 100% permanent, total service-connected disability, or former prisoners of war, are exempt from the county motor vehicle privilege tax and may apply at their local DMV with proof of their disability or POW status.
Most are familiar with the educational benefits available to Servicemembers and their families through the GI Bill, a benefit that helps pay for and offset the cost of tuition at universities, colleges, or trade schools. However, the state of Tennessee also has its own educational benefits programs for Veterans. Most of these work as supplemental assistance to federal programs and are part of the overall Tennessee Veteran benefits program.
The TN STRONG Act is a reimbursement program for members of the Tennessee National Guard who are pursuing a first bachelor’s or master’s degree. It provides tuition funding towards a first-time bachelor’s degree, with a maximum of 120 credit hours or eight semesters covered. The program also supports the state’s goal of equipping 55% of Tennesseans with a degree or certificate by 2025. This program is a last-dollar reimbursement, meaning that any other federal or state funding received by the student is deducted from the total amount reimbursed by the Tennessee STRONG Act. Much like other VA benefits Tennessee programs, payment is paid directly to the educational institution.
The Tennessee Helping Heroes Grant is a post-secondary education grant for eligible Veterans in Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury. It’s funded by the state lottery and aims to help offset the costs of higher education for qualifying Veterans. The grant provides $500 per semester for part-time students (6-11 semester hours) and $1,000 per semester for full-time students (12+ semester hours).
The Tennessee Veteran dependent education benefits include the Dependents Tuition Waiver, in which dependent children and spouses of Veterans who died on duty or are POW/MIA may receive free tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees, and registration fees at state-supported colleges and universities. It also includes the Vanderbilt University Bass Military Scholars Program, which provides $25,000 per year to highly talented Veterans pursuing graduate and professional degrees.
State-level Veteran employment benefits can include preferential hiring, job assistance programs, and training opportunities, often tailored to the specific needs of the state and its Veterans. These benefits aim to support Veterans in finding employment and transitioning into civilian careers. As part of the Tennessee Veterans benefits system, the state also offers job assistance, training referrals, and placement services for Veterans. These programs can help Veterans connect with job opportunities, receive training in specific fields, and find employment.
In Tennessee, eligible Veterans receive hiring preferences for state jobs, including a guaranteed interview and preference if they are equal in qualifications with other candidates. This means that if a Veteran meets the minimum qualifications for a position and is on the list of eligible candidates, they will be given preference over other candidates with equal skills and abilities.
Both the federal government and the state of Tennessee provide several healthcare options to Veterans and Servicemembers through the VA Healthcare system as part of the VA benefits Tennessee system. The Tennessee Veteran benefits system includes VA hospitals, clinics, and partner pharmacies to serve healthcare needs for Tennessee vets.
The VA Tennessee Valley Health Care System operates 21 locations in Tennessee and southern Kentucky, including two medical centers and 19 community-based outpatient clinics. The medical centers are the Nashville VA Medical Center and Alvin C. York VA Medical Center in Murfreesboro. The clinics are located in various cities, including Bowling Green and Hopkinsville, KY, as well as Dover, Clarksville, Chattanooga, Arnold Air Force Base, Cookeville, McMinnville, Harriman, Columbia, Athens, Nashville, Gallatin, and Murfreesboro. The Tennessee VA hospital system works in conjunction with the VA to operate the Nashville Veterans Hospital as the primary VA healthcare facility in the state, as the Nashville Veterans Hospital is also the largest. The VA Tennessee Valley Healthcare System is also a system of medical facilities and clinics within the Tennessee Valley, serving Veterans and their families. It offers a wide range of healthcare services, including ambulatory care, primary care, and specialized tertiary care.
State Veteran Homes are facilities owned and operated by states, providing care for eligible Veterans, their spouses, and Gold Star parents. These homes offer a range of services, including nursing home care, domiciliary care, and adult day health care. The Department of Veterans Affairs certifies them, ensuring they meet VA standards for quality care. Tennessee, like many states, offers these homes to its resident Veterans. In addition to these, the Tennessee Veteran benefits programs also assist Veterans with housing through grants, Veteran home loans, and rental assistance, ensuring that all Servicemembers have access to affordable housing.
Tennessee has five Tennessee State Veterans Homes: Humboldt, Murfreesboro, Clarksville, Knoxville, and Cleveland. A sixth facility is under construction in Arlington and is expected to open in late 2025. These homes provide long-term care, skilled nursing care, and rehabilitative services to eligible Veterans. All offer private rooms, recreational facilities, dining facilities, and transportation to and from medical appointments, in addition to many other amenities. The Tennessee State Veterans Home Cleveland location is a 108-bed facility with a more rustic décor, with large stone fireplaces, rustic-style rooms, and many outdoor programs. It is one of the first pilot programs to offer themed environments for Veterans in these homes.
The Homes for Heroes Tennessee program, offered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), provides financial assistance to eligible military and public service members, reducing interest rates and waiving certain requirements for homeownership. The Great Choice Home Loan program is a 30-year mortgage with a 0.5% interest rate and waives the first-time homeowner requirement for certain areas of Tennessee. It allows borrowers to obtain loans up to 100% of the home’s purchase price with a VA or USDA-RD loan.
Tennessee is a state with a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Tennessee looks to give back to its Veterans by offering several discounts and free passes for Veterans looking to take advantage of the state’s many natural wonders as part of the Tennessee Veterans Benefits Program, primarily the Tennessee Disabled Veteran Benefits Program.
Tennessee offers various benefits and discounts to Veterans at state parks, including free or discounted camping, waived greens fees for golf, and a Lifetime Sportsman License for residents. The state offers its Tennessee State Park Pass for Veterans to any member of the US Armed Forces who presents a valid state driver’s license, proof of service or discharge papers, and proof of a 100% service-connected disability rating.
Camping is a widely enjoyed pastime in the state of Tennessee, and Veterans get special privileges at state campgrounds. Specifically, Tennessee resident Veterans can enjoy discounted camping during the off-season (December 1 – February 28/29) and a free night of camping on Veterans Day.
The Tennessee hunting and fishing license for disabled Veterans is a discounted hunting and fishing license for disabled Veterans. Residents of Tennessee who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected causes or who are 30% or more disabled due to war service can obtain a hunting and fishing license for a one-time fee of $10. This license covers both hunting and fishing, including all supplemental licenses and quota permits.
As part of its Tennessee Veteran benefits, the state operates several Veteran cemeteries in partnership with the VA as a final resting place for Tennessee’s military heroes. There are five National Veterans Cemeteries managed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, located in Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Johnson City, and Chattanooga. The East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville is a designated resting place for Veterans and their eligible dependents. It was established in August 2011. The West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery is a Tennessee state-run cemetery located in Memphis. The cemetery was established in 1993 and has a capacity of over 30,813 plots.
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