Arkansas is home to more than 230,000 veterans — a proud military state served by Little Rock Air Force Base, one of the nation's premier C-130 airlift installations, and Pine Bluff Arsenal, a historic Army facility focused on chemical defense and munitions. The Natural State has built a meaningful veterans benefits structure that includes a full property tax exemption for 100% service-connected disabled veterans, free tuition for children of fallen veterans through the Arkansas Military Dependents Scholarship Program, tuition assistance for National Guard members, employment preference points on state examinations, and comprehensive statewide services through the Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs. This guide covers every major Arkansas veterans benefit available in 2025.
Arkansas has strong military roots anchored by Little Rock AFB in Jacksonville, which serves as the Air Force Reserve Command's largest C-130 base and a key hub for airlift operations. Pine Bluff Arsenal, established in 1941, supports chemical defense and demilitarization missions. The state's military communities are spread across central Arkansas — with a significant veteran population concentrated in Pulaski County (Little Rock), Benton County (northwest Arkansas), and Jefferson County (Pine Bluff).
The Arkansas General Assembly has progressively expanded veterans benefits over recent years, with the most significant benefits centered on property tax relief for 100% disabled veterans and education support for dependents of veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. The state is also moving toward a full military retirement income tax exemption, with current law exempting the first $6,000 and a trajectory toward complete exemption.
Arkansas provides a full property tax exemption for veterans with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating. This is one of the most impactful state-level benefits available to severely disabled Arkansas veterans.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| VA disability rating | 100% service-connected disability |
| Property type | Primary residence (homestead) |
| Exemption amount | Full property tax exemption |
| Surviving spouse eligible? | Yes — surviving spouse continues exemption |
| Arkansas Code | AR Code Ann. § 26-3-306 |
| Where to apply | County Assessor's office |
Under Arkansas Code § 26-3-306, a veteran with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating is fully exempt from property taxes on their primary residence. There is no dollar cap on the exemption — the entire property tax obligation on the homestead is eliminated. For veterans in higher-value markets such as Bentonville, Fayetteville, or west Little Rock, this exemption can represent $3,000 to $6,000 or more in annual property tax savings.
Arkansas also provides partial property tax relief for veterans with disability ratings below 100%. The partial exemption structure provides proportional relief based on the veteran's service-connected disability percentage. Veterans with any service-connected disability rating should inquire with their county assessor about applicable partial exemptions, as the specific tiers and amounts may vary.
Veterans rated at Total Disability Individual Unemployability (TDIU) — who receive 100% VA compensation even though their combined scheduler rating may be below 100% — are generally treated as 100% disabled for state benefit purposes. Contact your county assessor or the Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs to confirm TDIU eligibility for the full property tax exemption under AR Code § 26-3-306.
If a 100% service-connected veteran who was receiving the property tax exemption passes away, the surviving spouse may continue to receive the exemption, provided they remain in the property as their primary residence and do not remarry. This protection is a meaningful financial safeguard for surviving military families who might otherwise face sudden property tax burdens.
To claim the Arkansas disabled veterans property tax exemption, visit your county assessor's office and bring:
Application deadlines vary by county. Contact your county assessor's office for current deadlines and any county-specific documentation requirements. The exemption is governed by AR Code § 26-3-306 and may require annual renewal confirmation or one-time filing depending on county procedures.
Arkansas currently exempts the first $6,000 of military retirement pay from state income tax. This is a meaningful benefit, though it falls short of the full exemptions offered by some neighboring states. Importantly, Arkansas law is moving toward a full exemption — the state legislature has signaled its intent to phase out taxes on military retirement income entirely over coming years.
Arkansas's current state income tax rate is 4.7% for most taxpayers (as of 2025, following recent rate reductions). On the first $6,000 of military retirement pay, the exemption saves approximately $282 per year. However, veterans receiving larger retirement amounts will owe state income tax on amounts exceeding $6,000 at the applicable rate.
Arkansas legislators have been advancing bills to increase and eventually eliminate the military retirement income tax. Veterans living in or considering a move to Arkansas should monitor Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration updates for changes to the retirement pay exemption amount. Even if the full exemption has not yet been enacted when you read this, the trajectory strongly favors complete exemption in coming years.
VA disability compensation remains fully exempt from both federal and Arkansas state income taxes under federal law — this is not subject to the $6,000 cap. Veterans who receive both VA disability compensation and military retirement pay benefit from the VA portion being completely tax-free at both the federal and state level.
Arkansas offers meaningful education benefits for both veterans' dependents and active National Guard members, with the Arkansas Military Dependents Scholarship standing as one of the state's most significant commitments to military families.
The Arkansas Military Dependents Scholarship Program provides free tuition at Arkansas public colleges and universities for children of veterans who fall into one of the following categories:
The scholarship covers tuition and required fees at Arkansas public two-year and four-year institutions. Eligible children must be Arkansas residents, typically between the ages of 16 and 23 (confirm current age limits with the Arkansas Department of Higher Education), and enrolled at a public Arkansas institution. The scholarship is not limited to undergraduate programs — graduate study eligibility should be confirmed with the administering agency.
This is one of the strongest dependent education benefits in the South and represents a major commitment to families of the most severely affected veterans. For a 100% P&T veteran with children approaching college age, the value of this benefit can exceed $50,000 to $80,000 or more over a four-year degree program.
Active Arkansas Army and Air National Guard members may qualify for tuition assistance through the Arkansas National Guard Educational Assistance Act. The program provides financial assistance for Guard members enrolled at Arkansas public colleges and universities. Recipients must maintain satisfactory academic progress and remain in good standing with their Guard unit. The program is administered through the Arkansas Military Department and is intended to complement — not replace — federal education benefits like the Montgomery GI Bill for Selected Reserve (Chapter 1606) or GI Bill kicker programs.
The University of Arkansas in Fayetteville has a dedicated Veterans Resource Center that provides priority registration, academic advising, and transition support for student veterans. The university participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program and VA's Principles of Excellence program. Veterans at UA benefit from in-state tuition protections under federal law and a dedicated veteran student community through campus veteran organizations.
Arkansas Tech University, University of Central Arkansas, Arkansas State University, and other public institutions across the state participate in federal VA education programs and maintain veteran student support services. Many offer veteran-specific orientation, credit for military experience and training, and flexible scheduling options designed for working veterans and Guard/Reserve members.
The Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs serves as the state's primary veterans services agency, providing direct assistance, long-term care, burial services, and program administration for Arkansas veterans.
ADVA maintains accredited Veterans Service Representatives (VSRs) stationed throughout Arkansas who provide free assistance with VA disability claims, benefits navigation, appeals, and access to both state and federal programs. VSRs work alongside national veteran service organizations and can help veterans understand eligibility for state-specific programs including the Military Dependents Scholarship, property tax exemptions, and the Veterans Emergency Fund. Contact ADVA to find the VSR nearest your county or to schedule an appointment at a regional office.
Arkansas operates two state veterans' homes providing long-term care and skilled nursing services for eligible Arkansas veterans:
Both facilities are VA-certified, meaning the federal VA may contribute per-diem payments toward care costs for veterans with service-connected conditions. Priority of admission is given to veterans with service-connected disabilities and those with greater financial need. Applications are processed through ADVA, and veterans are encouraged to apply well in advance due to potential waiting lists.
The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock provides free burial for eligible Arkansas veterans, their spouses, and qualifying dependents. Services provided at no charge include the grave site, liner, opening and closing of the grave, and a government headstone or grave marker. Pre-enrollment is available through ADVA and is encouraged to ensure eligibility has been verified in advance. Veterans may also be eligible for burial at national cemeteries — contact ADVA or the VA National Cemetery Scheduling Office for options.
Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs: 2200 Fort Roots Drive, Building 65, North Little Rock, AR 72114. Phone: 501-683-2382. Website: veterans.arkansas.gov. ADVA can connect veterans with VSRs, veterans' home admission, cemetery pre-enrollment, and the Veterans Emergency Fund.
Arkansas provides a veterans' preference system for state civil service employment that gives veterans a competitive edge in government hiring.
Under Arkansas Code § 21-3-302, veterans receive preference points on competitive state civil service examinations:
The preference applies to initial state employment examinations and scored hiring processes subject to the Arkansas State Personnel Administration. Arkansas state agencies are required to apply veterans preference when ranking candidates and making appointment decisions.
Arkansas's American Job Centers — operating through the Arkansas Division of Workforce Services — provide priority employment services to veterans. Services include dedicated veteran employment specialists, résumé development, skills translation, job placement assistance, and connections to employers with veteran hiring programs. Arkansas participates in the federal Jobs for Veterans State Grant (JVSG) program, which funds DVOP and LVER specialists at job centers throughout the state.
The Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC) supports veteran entrepreneurship and business development through programs connecting veteran business owners with state resources, certifications, and procurement opportunities. Arkansas veterans who own small businesses may qualify for state contracting set-asides and veteran business enterprise certifications that provide a competitive advantage in state government contracting.
Arkansas provides free hunting and fishing licenses to veterans with a 100% service-connected VA disability rating under Arkansas Code AR Code § 15-41-302. This benefit is administered by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).
Arkansas's hunting and fishing privileges are among the finest in the mid-South — with exceptional whitetail deer hunting, waterfowl hunting along the Mississippi and Arkansas River flyways, bass fishing on Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and other premier reservoirs, and trout fishing in the White River system below Bull Shoals and Norfork dams. Free licenses give 100% disabled veterans unfettered access to these resources.
To obtain the free license, veterans must present their VA rating letter or VA-issued ID confirming 100% service-connected disability at any AGFC license vendor or apply online through the AGFC website. Additional stamps for waterfowl (federal Duck Stamp, state duck stamp) may be required for certain types of hunting but are typically available at reduced or waived cost for 100% disabled veterans — confirm current requirements with AGFC.
Veterans rated at TDIU should verify eligibility with AGFC, as TDIU veterans are generally treated the same as 100% schedular-rated veterans for most state benefit purposes in Arkansas.
The Arkansas Veterans Emergency Fund provides emergency financial assistance to Arkansas veterans facing acute financial hardship. This fund is designed to bridge gaps when a veteran is facing an immediate crisis — whether from unexpected medical expenses, emergency home repairs, utility shut-offs, or other urgent needs that cannot be addressed through standard VA programs or other assistance programs.
Assistance through the emergency fund is typically a one-time or limited grant rather than an ongoing benefit. Eligibility and benefit amounts are determined case by case. Contact the Arkansas Department of Veterans' Affairs directly to inquire about current fund availability, eligibility requirements, and the application process. County Veterans Service Officers can also help veterans navigate emergency assistance applications.
Beyond the state emergency fund, Arkansas veterans in crisis should also contact the VA's financial counseling programs, national organizations like the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the American Legion's temporary financial assistance program, and 211 Arkansas (dial 2-1-1), which connects callers to local emergency assistance resources including veteran-specific programs.
State benefits in Arkansas are an important layer, but the federal VA disability system remains the foundation. The combination of an Arkansas property tax exemption, military retirement tax treatment, and federal VA compensation creates significant financial opportunity for veterans who have pursued their full ratings.
Consider a 100% service-connected disabled Arkansas veteran who is also a military retiree:
In Arkansas, reaching 100% service-connected (or TDIU) is particularly meaningful because it unlocks both the full property tax exemption and qualifies the veteran's children for the Military Dependents Scholarship. For a veteran with children approaching college age, achieving 100% or P&T status before those children enroll could save $50,000 to $100,000 or more in tuition costs over the course of their education — making the investment in pursuing an accurate VA rating even more financially significant.
Many Arkansas veterans are under-rated for conditions they've lived with for years without filing claims. Commonly missed conditions include:
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