Wisconsin State Veteran's Benefits

The state of Wisconsin 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

Wisconsin State Veteran Housing Programs

WDVA Home Loan
Wisconsin offers a state veterans home loan program, entitled the Primary Mortgage Loan (PML), that is different from the USDVA Home Loan Guaranty Program.

The state veterans home loan may be used for:

• Purchase or purchase and improvement of a single family home or condominium.
• Construction of a new single family home.

Purchase of certain existing 2 to 4-unit owner occupied residence. (Must be occupied as borrower's principal residence.)

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

WDVA Home Improvement Loan
Veterans, you can borrow up to 90% of your home equity for home improvments. The $25,000 cap has been removed from the Home Improvement Loan Program.
The Home Improvement Loan Program (HILP) may be used for additions, garage construction, repairs, and remodeling (i.e., replace a roof, install new windows, a new furnace, or a central air conditioning system) of a veteran's residence.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Wisconsin Financial Assistance Programs

Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members
The Assistance to Needy Veterans and Family Members grant program provides limited financial assistance to those in need and who have exhausted all other sources of aid. The grants may be used for specified health care and subsistence needs or economic emergency assistance for spouses and dependents of activated or deployed service members, up to maximum grant limits.

WDVA Personal Loan
The Personal Loan Program (PLP) can be used for any purpose. With optional repayment terms the PLP is flexible to better meet your needs.

Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit
The Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit program provides a refundable property tax credit for the primary residence (in-state) via the state income tax form for:

• Eligible veterans age 65 or older who entered service from Wisconsin and have a combined VA service-connected disability rating of 100%.
• The unremarried surviving spouse of an eligible veteran.
• The unremarried surviving spouse of a veteran who entered active duty as a Wisconsin resident, died in the line of duty, and was a Wisconsin resident at the time of death.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Wisconsin Veteran Employment Programs

Transition Assistance for Veterans Leaving Active Duty
Veterans transitioning from active duty can contact the WDVA Transition & Employment Section for state-wide employment information. The office provides employment assistance and labor market information to veterans in transition from active duty to civilian life and the civilian job market in Wisconsin.

Local Veterans Employment Representatives
Employment assistance is available to all Wisconsin veterans in the local one-stop job centers. Veterans Employment Representatives complement the information provided at a Department of Defense Transition Assistance Program (TAP) Seminar.

Veterans as Apprentices
Veterans, their eligible dependents, eligible members of the National Guard, and the Reserves may benefit from Apprenticeship programs.

For more information on apprenticeship opportunities in Wisconsin, visit the Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards.

Hire Veterans First
The Hire Veterans First program is a National initiative established by the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) of the Department of Labor (DOL). Their objective is to show support for America's veterans to send the message out to employers "Hire a Veteran First -- American Excellence at Work".

Veterans Preference
Civil Service Preferences (State) --- Eligible veterans are entitled to an extra 10 points added to a passing score on a state civil service examination. Veterans with a VA approved SCD of less than 30 percent are entitled to 15 points and those with a rating of 30 percent or more are entitled to 20 points added to their passing score. Spouses of certain disabled or deceased eligible veterans may also have points added to a passing score. (Preference points are available only when you initially apply for permanent state employment.)

Veterans with a 30 percent or greater SCD may be hired for a permanent, entry-level position with the State of Wisconsin on a noncompetitive basis. Check with the hiring agency for more information.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Employment Assistance Opportunities

• Entrepreneurial Training --- a partnership between the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and the Veterans Corporation offers Wisconsin veterans starting a new business timely entrepreneurial training.
• Troops to Teachers Program --- helps Wisconsin veterans obtain alternative teaching certification so they can obtain employment as teachers and teachers' aides. The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) operates a placement office for the program, which is funded by the Department of Defense.
• Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) --- Application for Unemployment Insurance, including UCX, is made by telephone:
• Veterans Business Training Center --- A program of the Military Order of the Purple Heart Service Foundation helping disabled veterans find employment. A 15 week 600 hour training program pays while learning, is accredited, and allows graduates to work in their home. 
• Vocational Rehabilitation --- This benefit may be available through either the VA or the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Your County Veterans Service Officer or Veterans Representative will advise you concerning eligibility for the VA benefit.
• Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative --- Learn about an economic development corporation that provides quality business education, technical assistance and access to capital for small businesses throughout Wisconsin.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Wisconsin Veteran Education and Training

Wisconsin G.I. Bill for Dependents
A 100% remission is provided to the qualifying dependents of an eligible veteran:

• Spouse; or
• Unremarried Surviving Spouse; or 
• Child between the ages of 18 and 25,

Wisconsin G.I. Bill for Veterans
Qualifying veterans receive a 50% remission (Effective Fall Semester 2005). In accordance with 2005 Wisconsin Act 468, effective Fall Semester 2007, the remission will increase to a full 100%.

Veterans Education (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant
The Veterans Education (VetEd) grant program provides a reimbursement grant based on a credit-bank system that is based on length of active duty military service to eligible veterans who have not yet been awarded a bachelor's degree for the reimbursement of tuition and fees following successful course completion at an eligible UW, technical college, or approved private institution of higher learning.
Veterans may concurrently receive Chapter 30 Montgomery G.I. Bill (VA) benefits and VetEd for the same semester. However, individuals eligible for Wisconsin G.I. Bill benefits must apply for, and use those benefits in order to be eligible for VetEd reimbursement. VetEd reimbursement will be reduced to the extent that tuition and fees have already been paid by other grants, scholarships, and remissions provided for the payment of tuition and fees.

Entrepreneurial Training
WDVA, in cooperation with The Veterans Corporation, has offered FastTrac Planning and FastTrac NewVenture entrepreneurial training courses. The Veterans Corporation is no longer continuing this program. WDVA is currently working with additional partners to provide entrepreneurial training to Wisconsin veterans.

'If you are a veteran interested in entrepreneurial training or services to assist you in starting, managing or improving your business, please consider contacting one or more of these organizations.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Tuition Residency for Wisconsin Veterans
Under state law, veterans who entered active duty as a Wisconsin resident retain permanent eligibility for in-state tuition at University of Wisconsin System institutions. To be eligible, a person who was a resident of Wisconsin at the time of entry into federal active duty military service, who is a resident of and living in this state at the time of registering at a UW institution, and who meets the criteria for determination of veteran status under s. 45.01(12) of the Wisconsin Statutes are eligible for in-state tuition rates at UW institutions. There are no restrictions regarding residency after entry onto active duty but before registering at the UW institution under the program.

Academic Credit for Military Experience (ACME)
The ACME program is designed for active military personnel and veterans to create and maintain a transcript of their military experience.  Use the transcript and the ACME system to determine possible equivalency credit at Wisconsin Colleges, Technical Colleges, and Universities.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Job Retraining Grants
Recently unemployed or underemployed veterans may receive up to $3,000 per year, for a maximum of two years, if they have a financial need while being retrained for employment..

Troops to Teachers (TTT)
Troops to Teachers (TTT) is a joint program of the U.S. Departments of Defense and Education that assists departing active duty military personnel, veterans and certain members/retirees who are associated with the reserve components, to transition to new careers as public school teachers.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Other Wisconsin State Veteran Benefits

Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Wisconsin Veterans
Wisconsin disabled veterans with a combined service-connected disability rating by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) of 70% or greater are eligible for a disabled veteran reduced-fee fishing license. The fishing license must be renewed annually, and does not exempt the holder from the need to purchase required fishing stamps. When purchasing the license at a DNR or County Clerk's office, the applicant must provide a copy of a letter from the VA that indicates receipt of VA disability benefits and specifies the percentage of disability.

Military Funeral Honors Program
The Military Funeral Honors Program (MFHP) in Wisconsin provides a final tribute to the men and women who served our state and nation honorably as members of the U.S. armed forces.

Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemeteries
Upon meeting eligibility standards, veterans are provided a burial at no cost, spouses and dependent children will incur a burial fee.

Transportation to VA Medical Appointments
Wisconsin veterans may use one of two programs that assist veterans who need help getting to VA medical appointments. The Wisconsin Department of the Disabled American Veterans operates several vans around the state that normally stop at predetermined locations and then transport to the various medical centers. For veterans who live in locations not served by the DAV most counties provide some type of assistance.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.

Veterans & Military License Plates
Special license plates are available to veterans, retired military service members, medal recipients, and members of the active or reserve military.

Driver Licensing, & Vehicle Registration
When the U.S. is involved in a military conflict, anyone who is a member of the military and stationed outside of Wisconsin is considered to be on "active duty" for the purposes of eligibility for modified procedures for the following driver licensing and registration measures: Driver license renewal; duplicate driver license; insurance information; suspended or revoked license reinstatement; medical report; vehicle registration renewal; dealer and salesperson licenses; motor carrier fees and reports; and special license plates.

Visit the Wisconsin Dept.of Veterans Affairs website for contact information and benefits assistance.