Ohio veterans benefits

Honorably discharged veterans rated 100% totally disabled by the VA (including total disability based on individual unemployability) receive an enhanced homestead exemption that removes a fixed indexed amount of their home's market value from property taxation, with no age or income limit. The amount starts at $50,000 of market value and is indexed each year; the Ohio Legislative Service Commission reports $56,000 for tax year 2025. Apply via county auditor with DD214 and VA award letter showing the 100% rating. A surviving spouse may continue the benefit. Form DTE 105I states the applicant 'must be 100% disabled by or be receiving 100% compensation for service-connected injuries.' SB92 (pending, not yet law) would raise this to a full exemption of the entire homestead value.

All military/uniformed-services retirement pay is deductible on the Ohio Schedule of Adjustments (Line 34), effectively exempting it from Ohio income tax. Covers active, reserve, and National Guard retirement, the military-attributable portion of a federal civil-service pension, and Survivor Benefit Plan payments to a surviving/former spouse.

VA disability compensation is excluded from federal adjusted gross income under federal law, and Ohio's individual income tax is computed starting from federal AGI, so VA disability compensation is not subject to Ohio income tax.

Active-duty, Guard, reserve members and their spouses/dependents who move to Ohio are eligible for in-state residency for tuition rates, state educational subsidies, and financial aid.

Tuition benefit for current Ohio Army and Air National Guard members pursuing an undergraduate degree at Ohio public colleges/universities (with a private-institution rate cap). Awarded based on enlistment/service commitment.

Undergraduate tuition assistance for the children of deceased or severely disabled Ohio wartime veterans. Student must be an Ohio resident and enroll full-time. Maximum 10 semesters / 15 quarters. For 2025-2026, covers 77% of tuition/general fees at public institutions, or a $6,330 annual award at private institutions.

Ohio law authorizes public and private employers to adopt a preference in hiring, promotion, and retention-during-reduction-in-force for service members, veterans, and their (surviving) spouses without violating equal-employment law. Federally funded state employment/training programs must use a veteran priority system, with disabled veterans receiving priority within targeted groups.

Veterans with a service-connected disability rated or compensated at 100% by the VA, or who received a VA automobile grant, may obtain Veterans with Disabilities (or Purple Heart Disability) plates with no registration fee, no service fee, no local motor vehicle tax, and no transfer fees. Plates with the wheelchair symbol also grant accessible-parking privileges.

Resident veterans determined by the VA to be permanently and totally disabled (and receiving VA pension/compensation), and former POWs, receive a fishing license, hunting license, fur taker permit, deer/turkey permits, and Wetlands Habitat Stamp free of charge. Approved for a 5-year cycle (licenses re-issued each license year). Veterans holding a wheelchair-symbol veteran plate are also eligible. Apply via Form DNR 9032 / 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Two state veterans homes provide standard nursing care, memory care, and skilled care; the Sandusky campus also offers domiciliary (independent/limited-supervised living). Eligibility: Ohio resident/citizen for at least one year and honorable discharge or separation under honorable conditions.