Benefits for a new chapter.

Assembled 2026-09-08 from official pages where marked verified (Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Michigan Treasury, NPS, Exchange, Apple, AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Nike) and from general knowledge where marked unverified — confirm those on the merchant's or agency's page. Tailored by the status, VA rating and state you select.

• Property tax exemption (P.A. 161 of 2013) 100% of property tax on your home
  100% permanently-and-totally disabled veterans, veterans paid at the 100% rate (incl. individual unemployability) or with a VA specially adapted housing grant, and un-remarried surviving spouses, may have property tax waived on their principal residence. Must be honorably discharged and a Michigan resident.
  How: File Form 5107 (State Tax Commission Affidavit for Disabled Veterans Exemption) plus your VA benefits letter with your city/township assessor every year between Jan 1 and Dec 31 — ideally in January or February.
  Source: 1, 2
• Veteran designation on driver's license / state ID free
  'Veteran' printed in red on your Michigan license or ID at no extra charge, for any honorable/general discharge — the easy way to prove status for store discounts.
  How: Apply at any Secretary of State office or with a mail renewal.
  Source: 1
• Disabled Veteran plate: one vehicle registered free registration fee waived
  A veteran the VA rates totally and permanently disabled can register one passenger vehicle with a Disabled Veteran plate at no fee (one-time $5 administrative fee when the plate is first issued). Ex-POWs qualify regardless of rating. Other veteran plates are available to all veterans but normal registration fees apply.
  How: Secretary of State office with your VA rating letter and DD-214.
  Source: 1, 2
• Free hunting and fishing licenses free licenses
  Michigan-resident veterans rated totally and permanently disabled or individually unemployable by the VA get resident hunting and fishing licenses free; carry proof of status when using them.
  How: Michigan DNR licensing (eLicense) with your VA letter.
  Source: 1
• Free state park entry (Recreation Passport) free state park entry
  100% disabled veterans (plus Medal of Honor recipients and ex-POWs) get free entry to facilities requiring a Recreation Passport. MVAA says the Disabled Veteran specialty plate on the vehicle is what grants the access.
  How: Get the Disabled Veteran plate (below); the passport requirement is waived for that vehicle.
  Source: 1
• Michigan Veterans Trust Fund emergency grants one-time emergency help
  Grants for temporary financial emergencies (utility shutoff, home repair, medical) for wartime-era veterans and their families.
  How: Through your county Veterans Trust Fund committee / county veteran service office.
  Source: 1
• Children of Veterans Tuition Grant up to $2,800/yr per child unverified
  Undergraduate tuition assistance for children (age 16-26) of Michigan veterans who are totally and permanently disabled from service, or who died in service.
  How: Michigan Student Aid (MiSSG) application.
  Source: 1
• Income tax credit for property tax paid (MI-1040CR-2) refundable credit
  Michigan's income tax code gives a credit for property tax paid by a disabled veteran or surviving spouse, scaled by disability rating and household income — refundable even if you owe no tax. Useful for veterans below 100% or for a year the exemption wasn't filed.
  How: File form MI-1040CR-2 with your MI-1040.
  Source: 1

Federal benefits

• VA health care Priority Group 1 — no copays no copays
  Veterans with a 100% rating enroll in Priority Group 1 with no copayments: primary and specialty care, mental health, home health, dental, vision, hearing aids, prosthetics, nursing home placement, medically related travel benefits and foreign medical care. Dependents may get health care if not TRICARE-eligible (see CHAMPVA).
  How: Enroll at va.gov/health-care/apply or your VA medical center.
  Source: 1
• America the Beautiful Military Pass (lifetime) free, lifetime
  Free lifetime pass for veterans and Gold Star families (annual pass for current military and dependents) covering entrance and standard day-use fees at National Parks, Forest Service, BLM, Fish & Wildlife, Reclamation and Army Corps sites — one vehicle or four people.
  How: Pick up in person at a federal recreation site with photo ID and proof of veteran status (VHIC, VA ID, DD-214, or state license with Veteran designation), or order online for a $10 processing fee.
  Source: 1
• Commissary, Exchange and MWR access tax-free groceries, ~5% surcharge unverified
  Since Jan 2020 (Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans Equal Access Act), veterans with any service-connected disability rating, Purple Heart recipients and former POWs can shop commissaries and exchanges in person and use MWR facilities. Commissaries sell at cost plus a 5% surcharge with no sales tax.
  How: Enter the installation with your VHIC (Veteran Health ID Card from the VA).
  Source: 1, 2
• VA home loan funding fee exemption 1.25%-3.3% of the loan unverified
  Veterans receiving VA disability compensation are exempt from the VA loan funding fee (1.25%-3.3% of the loan amount) on purchases and refinances.
  How: The lender pulls your Certificate of Eligibility; the exemption shows on it.
  Source: 1
• CHAMPVA for dependents family health coverage unverified
  Spouse and dependent children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled get CHAMPVA health coverage (75% of allowable charges after a small deductible).
  How: Apply with VA Form 10-10d.
  Source: 1
• Dependents' Education (Chapter 35) up to ~$1,500/mo per dependent unverified
  Spouse and children of a veteran rated permanently and totally disabled can get up to 36 months of DEA education benefits.
  How: VA Form 22-5490.
  Source: 1
• VA dental care full dental
  Veterans rated 100% (or paid at 100% for IU) are eligible for comprehensive VA dental care, not just service-connected dental conditions.
  How: Enroll through your VA medical center.
  Source: 1, 2
• VA disability pay is tax-free no federal or Michigan income tax unverified
  VA disability compensation is excluded from federal and Michigan income tax; military retirement pay is also exempt from Michigan income tax.
  How: Nothing to do — don't report it as income.
  Source: 1
• Federal hiring preference (10-point) hiring preference unverified
  Veterans with a service-connected disability get 10-point preference for federal jobs; 30%+ rated veterans can be appointed non-competitively.
  How: Apply on USAJOBS with your VA letter.
  Source: 1
• Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) added monthly pay
  On top of 100% disability compensation, the VA pays Special Monthly Compensation when a veteran is housebound, bedridden or needs aid and attendance of another person, or has specific severe disabilities.
  How: Claim through the VA (VA Form 21-2680 for aid and attendance).
  Source: 1, 2
• Disability Housing Grants (SAH / SHA / HISA) up to ~$117k (SAH)
  Grants to buy, build or adapt a home for certain service-connected disabilities (loss of use of limbs, blindness, severe burns), plus HISA grants for medically necessary home improvements.
  How: va.gov/housing-assistance/disability-housing-grants
  Source: 1, 2