State Benefits for Veterans in Tennessee
March 2021
Authors: Linda Wesson and Cassie Stinson
The Comptroller’s Office of Research and Education Accountability has identified more than 40 benefits, services, and protections for veterans and their families that are provided by state agencies.
Data is included on the number of veterans receiving each benefit, and the state expenditures to provide the benefit or the state revenue forgone when fees are waived or discounted for veterans. In fiscal year 2019-20, recurring state-funded veterans benefits and services of at least $30.3 million and nonrecurring benefit costs of at least $1.1 million were identified for veterans services for which costs could be calculated.
All states offer a variety of benefits and services to their veterans. At least three-fourths of other states offer benefits similar to many of those offered by Tennessee, including: a state-level department for veterans services; cemeteries and nursing homes for veterans; property tax relief; veteran specialty license plates and designations on driver licenses; state job hiring preferences; out-of-state tuition exemptions; and discounted rates on hunting and fishing licenses and camping fees.