The state of Wyoming provides several veteran benefits. This section offers a brief description of each of the following benefits.
- Veteran Housing Benefits
- Veteran Financial Assistance Benefits
- Veteran Employment Benefits
- Veteran Education Benefits
- Other State Veteran Benefits
Wyoming Veteran Housing Programs
Veterans' Home of Wyoming
This home is located on the historic site of Fort McKinney. It was built in the summer and fall of 1878. The home was established in 1895 with the first member being housed at Fort D. A. Russell (now F.E. Warren AFB) in Cheyenne, Wyoming. The home and its resident were transferred from Cheyenne to the home's present location in 1903. It is located three miles west of Buffalo, one-half mile south of Highway 16, at the base of the majestic Big Horn Mountains. Clear Creek from the Big Horns runs through the center of the area surrounding the home and supplies the fresh water for the resident trout pond.
Learn more about the Veterans' Home of Wyoming
Wyoming Financial Assistance Programs
Wyoming Veterans Tax Exemption
Qualifications: 1. Honorably Discharged and you must be a Wyoming resident at the time of entry into the military service or you must have resided in Wyoming for three years prior to application. 2. Honorably discharged veterans (Wyoming residents) who were awarded the armed forces expeditionary medal or other authorized service or campaign medal indicating service for the United States in any armed conflict in a foreign country. 3. You must provide your separation papers (DD-214).
Exemption applies to county fees, not state fees. Maximum exemption is $800.00. Maximum yearly deduction is approximately $60.00 per year for license plates and $150.00 per year for property taxes. You must advise the county assessor of intent to use tax exemption annually until fully used. Deadline for notification is on or before the fourth Monday in May of the ensuing calendar year.
Surviving spouses of qualified veterans not re-married and fulfilling residence requirements can reopen exemption. It is a lifetime benefit with no maximum limit, except for the yearly limitations.
The current property tax exemption also applies to 100% service connected disabled veterans and veterans who have been granted service connected individual un-employability status certified by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
Disabled veterans, after using lifetime $800 exemption, can continue getting that part of it based on percentage of disability certified by VA or a branch of armed forces.
Learn more about Wyoming Veterans’ Tax Exemption
Family Support Grant Program
Wyoming Guard, Reserves and Active personnel have available a newly created trust fund administered by the Adjutant General from which “grantor of last resort” funds are available for service members and their family members in need of assistance.
Learn more about the Family Support Grant Program
Wyoming Veteran Employment Programs
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
The Department of Workforce Services (DWS) is Wyoming's newest state agency, dedicated to developing a demand-driven workforce that is responsive to Wyoming's businesses, citizens, and economy. Veterans Services ensure assistance is provided or targeted to veterans, including services for veterans who are disabled or have employment issues. A variety of employment and training services are available through DWS and can be easily accessed at: www.wyomingworkforce.org
Learn more about the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Veterans Preference
Under the law, eligible veterans (separated from the Armed Services under conditions other than dishonorable) are entitled to receive preference over non-veterans in selection and referral to job opportunities in every public department and upon all public works in Wyoming. Veterans’ widows are entitled to the same preference during widowhood. Disabled veterans are entitled to priority over other veterans for such services. One year’s residence is required for preference, and such residence must be in the city or county in which a veteran asserts preference for a municipal or county job. Veterans and those with service-connected disabilities are entitled to points advantage on any merit system examination.
Learn more about Veterans’ Preference
Unemployment Insurance
Claims for Unemployment Insurance (UI), including interstate and intrastate, can be filed using the Internet or the telephone. A telephone or Internet access will be provided to you when you visit the local Employment Center for filing your claim.
Note that there are new protections for employers granting the Guard member their old job back.
Learn more about Filing Unemployment Insurance Claims
Unemployment Insurance Programs
The purpose of Unemployment Insurance for veterans is to provide a weekly income for a limited period of time to help them meet basic needs while searching for employment.
Benefits are paid from federal funds.
Former service men and women are entitled to Unemployment Insurance in Wyoming on the same terms and conditions as Wyoming workers who have worked for non-military employers in the state.
File a claim for Unemployment Insurance at the nearest ERC office immediately after leaving the service. Be certain to bring your DD-214 to establish your type of separation from the service.
In Wyoming, military separation payments, including voluntary separation incentives, will postpone receipt of UI benefits.
Find out more about Unemployment Insurance Programs
Wyoming Employment Resources Division One-Stop Employment Centers Located in Casper, Laramie, Cheyenne, Rawlins, Cody, Jackson, Riverton, Evanston, Rock Springs, Gillette, Sheridan and Torrington.
Learn more about One-Stop Employment Centers
Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVT)
Advancing jobs and independence for Wyoming residents with disabilities is the overriding mission of DVR.
DVR provides vocational counseling and guidance to all clients. Other services such as physical and mental restoration, maintenance, training, diagnoses, evaluation, job placement and transportation may also be available. These latter services are tailored to the needs of each individual client.
Learn more about the Wyoming Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Wyoming Education Assistance Programs
Educational Benefits for War Orphans and Vietnam Veterans
Free tuition and fees for education to the spouse and children of deceased veterans’ (whose death is service connected) and active state service eligibility are now available.
Benefits for War Orphans: Tuition waiver for not more than 10 semesters of credit classes on a full or part-time basis at any of Wyoming's Community Colleges or the University of Wyoming; no expiration date; no requirement of continuous enrollment.
Benefits For Vietnam Veterans: Tuition waiver for not more than 10 semesters of credit classes on a full or part-time basis at any of Wyoming's Community Colleges or the University of Wyoming; no expiration date; no requirement of continuous enrollment.
Application for Widows, War Orphan And Vietnam Veteran Benefits: A War Orphan or Veteran should apply at least two or three weeks before the beginning of the semester at any Wyoming community college or the university where he or she plans to attend.
Learn more about Educational Benefits
Wyoming National Guard 100% State Educational Assistance Plan
The 100% State Educational Assistance Plan is for Wyoming National Guard members that want to pursue higher education. The plan pays 100% of the tuition and mandatory fees at Wyoming Junior colleges and at the University of Wyoming. The plan pays a determined amount each year for those private schools in Wyoming that are VA approved.
Guard members can use the state educational assistance to complete one degree or certificate program. This includes: Certificates, Associate, Bachelors, Masters, or PhD program. The combination of Certificate, Associate to Bachelor counts as one degree.
Members can use the MGIB and kicker if qualified with the 100% State
Educational Assistance Plan.
Education Benefits For National Guard Family Members: Matriculation fees and tuition paid in the University of Wyoming or any junior college or vocational training institution in Wyoming for child or spouse of Wyoming National Guard member who dies or sustains permanent total disability from duty as guardsman while on state active duty or any authorized training duty.
Learn more about the Wyoming NG 100% State Educational Assistance
Operation Recognition (High School Diploma)
Veterans of WW II, Korea and Vietnam that were unable to complete their Wyoming high school education before entering service, either by draft or enlistment is entitled to have their high school diploma. All Wyoming high schools participate with the Commission in this important program. Even veterans who got their GED certificates after returning home are eligible, too. In cases of closed high schools, diplomas are issued by high schools that took in the closed ones. Application is made through the Commission office.
Learn more about Operation Recognition
Other Wyoming State Veteran Benefits
Oregon Trail State Veterans' Cemetery
The Oregon Trail State Veterans' Cemetery has been established through the cooperative efforts of the Veterans’ Commission acting for the State of Wyoming and the National Cemetery Administration of the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, successor to the Veterans Administration. The Wyoming Military Department supervises and controls the state veterans’ cemetery.
Every veteran that received any discharge, other than dishonorable, from the Armed Forces of the United States is eligible for burial in the cemetery. The spouse, handicapped or minor child of an eligible veteran may also qualify for burial in the State Veterans' Cemetery, providing that the interment of the qualifying family member is in the same burial plot as that provided for the veteran.
Learn more about the Oregon Trail Veterans’ Cemetery
Payment for Burial Details (Honor Guard)
Veterans Organizations that routinely act as burial details for State Veterans may apply for payment of services at the rate of up to $25 per veteran. Application for recognition needs to be made by 1 November to be effective the following year.
Learn more about the Payment of Burial Details (Honor Guard)
Burial of Indigent Veterans
Counties are obliged to provide up to $500 for the burial of indigent veterans upon proof that the deceased veteran received a discharge other than dishonorable for service on behalf of the United States in World War II, or any preceding war, or the Korean or Vietnam wars. The indigent veteran must have died in the county paying the expenses and proof must be shown that he/she left insufficient means to defray the expense.
Learn more about the Burial of Indigent Veterans Benefit
Veterans’ Guardianships
The Uniform Veterans’ Guardianship Act has been adopted in Wyoming and governs the handling of guardianship estates of wards that are beneficiaries under the laws administered by the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The VA is a party in interest in any proceeding brought under this Act. Guardians can have no more than five wards, and regular accountings must be made.
Learn more about Veterans’ Guardianships
Free (Confidential) Recording of Honorable Discharges
Wyoming law grants all veterans who receive an honorable discharge from the military services of the United States the right of having his/her discharge papers, usually the DD 214 or the Honorable Discharge certificate bearing the DD 214 information on its reverse side, recorded free in the office of the county clerk if the documents have not been recorded previously in another county of the state. The County Clerk keeps this document confidential.
Learn more about the Free Recording of Honorable Discharges
Special Veterans License Plates
The following are Special Veterans License Plates available to eligible persons:
- Disabled Veterans
- Former Prisoner Of War
- Pearl Harbor Survivor
- Purple Heart
- National Guard
General Provisions: No fees are charged for Special License Plates, though with the exception of the POW and 50% service connected Disabled Veteran plates, regular registration fees are payable when getting the plates. Too, all veterans entitled to have Special License Plates are also eligible to display Veterans Service Emblems on their plates.
Learn more about Special Veterans’ License Plates
Veterans’ License Plate Service Emblems
Veterans that served in any branch of the Armed Forces during the era of World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War or Gulf War and received a discharge other than dishonorable are entitled to display those wars’ Service Emblems. In accordance with law and regulations, on the license plates of all their automobiles, trucks and motorcycles for the life of their plates. Service Emblems may be obtained from the Wyoming Veterans’ Commission at cost plus a statutory fee of $11.00. This helps finance the Commission’s programs for Wyoming’s veterans. Currently, the total charge for motor vehicles is $11.50 and for motorcycles is $11.00, which includes all costs for production, postage and handling.
Learn more about Veterans’ License Plate Service Emblems
Free Veterans Game and Fish Licenses
The Game and Fish Department shall issue without charge lifetime bird, small game and fish licenses to any resident or honorably discharged veteran who is over 65 years of age and who has continuously resided in Wyoming for at least the 30 years immediately preceding application for the license, or to any disabled veteran who is 100% disabled as determined by the United States Department of Veteran Affairs. The license is valid so long as the licensee remains a Wyoming resident. Contact one of the regional offices or the state office of the Wyoming Game and Fish Department for application forms, or call the Wyoming Veterans’ Commission state office for more information. Game and Fish Department Regional Offices are in Jackson and Pinedale [Region1], Cody[2], Sheridan[3], Green River[4], Laramie[5], Lander[6], and Casper[7]. Game and Fish Department state office toll-free is 1-800-842-1934 (in-state only).
Learn more about Free Veterans Game and Fish Licenses
Free Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
Wyoming veterans that are 50% or more service-connected disabled are eligible to receive a free Wyoming lifetime fishing license. To make application, ask for the application forms from the Commission office in Casper or in person at one of the major Wyoming Department of Fish and Game office.
Learn more about Free Fishing and Game Licenses
Free State Parks Pass for Disabled Veterans
Wyoming veterans that are 50% or more service-connected disabled are eligible to receive a free Wyoming lifetime State Parks Pass. To make application, ask for the application forms from the Commission office in Casper or in person at the Cheyenne Parks Pass office in the Barret Building.
Learn more about Free Parks Passes
County Veteran Service Officer(s)
A new program that is in its early stages is the County Veteran Service Officer (CVSO) program. These are dedicated and trained volunteers that can help a veteran start the process of accessing State and Federal benefits. At the present time, Wyoming has only two southwestern counties participating in the CVSO program, but in surrounding states, there are literally hundreds of CVSOs that help their state veterans access benefits.
Learn more about the County Veteran Serve Officer Program
Veteran Commission Newsletter
Wyoming Veterans’ Commission publishes WY-VET NEWS, a tri-yearly publication in conjunction with the Wyoming National Guard Retiree Newsletter. It carries articles of special interest to veterans dealing with laws and information respecting benefits provided by the state and federal governments. Unlike many other states’ newsletters, from time to time, it also prints articles of general interest to veterans to promote readership interest.
There is no charge for subscriptions. Voluntary donations toward the expense of publishing and mailing list may be made to the state office. To be added to the subscription list, merely call the state office, or write, and give us your full name and mailing address. You may also contact the state office via email at wvac@bresnan.net. Present subscribers that are getting printed copies and have an e-mail service are encouraged to change over to e-mail delivery to help reduce expenses for printing and mailing.
Learn more about the Veterans’ Commission Newsletter
Wyoming’s Veterans’ Memorial Museum
Wyoming’s Veterans’ Memorial Museum was dedicated Memorial Day 2002 thereby making it the first state veterans’ memorial honoring all veterans of all services of all wars. It accepts and displays donated war related memorabilia and artifacts, and it collects recordings and printed copy of veterans’ experiences for history research scholars as well as books and other publications.
Learn more about the Wyoming Veteran’s Memorial Museum
Wyoming Veterans' Commission
The Commission is an agency created by state law in 1975 that is part of the Wyoming Military Department headed by the Adjutant General. It keeps informed on issues affecting Wyoming veterans and makes appropriate recommendations to the Governor and legislature. By statute, the Commission’s duties include:
- Study all federal and state legislation affection veterans, their spouses, dependents and beneficiaries;
- Establish liaison with agencies dealing with veteran’s affairs;
- Make recommendations to the legislature and to the governor concerning veterans; and
- Adopt policies and procedures necessary to administer then veterans’ burial team account pursuant to W.S. 19-14-109.
