LOUISIANA VETERANS’ HOMES

LDVA proudly operates five state-of-the-art Veterans Homes across the state. Each facility offers a variety of services including:

• Long- and short-term care
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Alzheimer’s and intermediate care
• Skilled nursing
• Mental health services
• Centralized pharmacy services
• And more

Homes are located conveniently across the state in Jackson, Bossier City, Monroe, Reserve and Jennings.

VETERANS CEMETERIES

LDVA operates five Veterans Cemeteries located across the state, offering a variety of burial options for Veterans, spouses, and dependent children. Each location features beautiful and spacious grounds, covered shelter for committal services, and are open Monday through Friday for interments with visitation open daily

POST 9/11 GI BILL

Education benefit program for Servicemembers and Veterans who served on active duty after September 10, 2001. Benefits are payable for training pursued on or after August 1, 2009. No payments can be made under this program for training pursued before that date. Eligibility requirements apply.

​MILITARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE (MFA) FUND

The Military Family Assistance Fund (MFA) can provide financial support to Louisiana Veterans and their families when they experience financial hardships. Certain criteria apply. To receive funds through MFA, a completed application must be submitted to LDVA including all required supporting documentation. MFA can pay up to $10,000.00 for one claim per active-duty order in a twelve-month period.

LA NATIONAL GUARD DEATH AND DISABILITY BENEFIT

Louisiana National guardsmen suffering a permanent and total disability while on federal or state active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or the beneficiary of record of those killed in action may qualify for a $250,000 death or $100,000 disability benefit from the State of Louisiana. Certain restrictions apply.

VETERANS FIRST BUSINESS INITIATIVE

The Louisiana Veterans First Business Initiative was championed by Governor John Bel Edwards during the 2019 legislative session. It was created to honor the sacrifice that Louisiana veterans have made by recognizing businesses owned by a veteran, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star spouse.

The program will allow for veterans, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star spouses who have a fifty-one percent ownership in a business to apply for and gain certification to recognize and promote their businesses. In addition, a searchable database is provided for anyone seeking to patronize a veteran, active-duty or reserve military, or Gold Star-spouse business.

VA WORK STUDY PROGRAM

This program is available to qualifying Veterans or their dependents who are utilizing VA education benefits and are currently enrolled as full-time students

USDA Grants: Supporting Veteran Farmers

There are a number of grants available to qualifying Veteran Farmers or Ranchers through the U.S. Department of Agriculture

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AND EMPLOYMENT

This program helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. Certain qualifications apply.

LOUISIANA STATE AND FEDERAL CIVIL SERVICE

Louisiana state and city civil service departments award a five to ten-point preference in original appointment to Veterans who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces under certain circumstances. Federal law also grants five and ten-point preference to Veterans who meet certain criteria when they apply for federal jobs.

LOUISIANA BUSINESS AND CAREER SOLUTION CENTERS

The Louisiana Workforce Commission operates local centers across the state to assist Veterans in finding employment and making career choices, including apprenticeship programs.

MILITARY TRAINING TOWARDS EDUCATION/CERTIFICATION CREDITS

Louisiana recognizes that the skills learned during military training can often apply to the civilian workforce. As such, Act 276 of the 2012 Regular Legislative Session states that individuals with military training and experience will be granted civilian professional licensure and/or certification when the Servicemember has been awarded a military occupational specialty and performance in that specialty that is at a level equal to or exceeding the requirements for said license and/or certification. Provisions apply.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

Open new doors to employment by getting licensed or certified as a mechanic, medical technician, attorney, or other professional position. Often required for work in certain fields, these tests may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement. Eligibility requirements apply.

LOUISIANA IN-STATE TUITION STATUS

In-state tuition status is granted to Veterans and active-duty military who seek to attend any Louisiana public college or university. Eligibility requirements apply.

VETERAN GI BILL APPRENTICESHIP AND OJT PROGRAM

Offers an alternative way to use GI Bill education and training benefits. Eligibility requirements apply.

LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION

Open new doors to employment by getting licensed or certified as a mechanic, medical technician, attorney, or other professional position. Often required for work in certain fields, these tests may be eligible for GI Bill reimbursement. Eligibility requirements apply.

TRAGEDY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR SURVIVORS (TAPS)

The TAPS program offers help, hope, and healing to all those grieving the death of a loved one serving in America’s Armed Forces.

MILITARY FAMILY ASSISTANCE (MFA) FUND

The Military Family Assistance Fund (MFA) can provide financial support to Louisiana Veterans and their families when they experience financial hardships. Certain criteria apply. To receive funds through MFA, a completed application must be submitted to LDVA including all required supporting documentation. MFA can pay up to $10,000.00 for one claim per active-duty order in a twelve-month period.

LOUISIANA TITLE 29 DEPENDENTS’ EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE

Louisiana offers education assistance to surviving spouses of deceased Veterans as well as children of Veterans rated with 90% or more service-connected disability and children of Veterans rated with 100% service-connected disability due to unemployability.

VA GUARANTEED HOME LOANS

May be used by veterans and unmarried surviving spouses of those who died of a service-connected disease or disability, to purchase or refinance a home.

LA NATIONAL GUARD DEATH AND DISABILITY BENEFIT

Louisiana National guardsmen suffering a permanent and total disability while on federal or state active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or the beneficiary of record of those killed in action may qualify for a $250,000 death or $100,000 disability benefit from the State of Louisiana

VA WORK STUDY PROGRAM

This program is available to qualifying Veterans or their dependents who are utilizing VA education benefits and are currently enrolled as full-time students

SURVIVORS AND DEPENDENTS EDUCATION

Provides education and training opportunities to dependents of Veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-related condition or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-related condition.

TRICARE RESERVE SELECT HEALTH INSURANCE

TRICARE Reserve Select is a premium-based plan, available worldwide for Selected Reserve, (Reserve and National Guard) and their Families who meet the following qualifications

LOUISIANA VETERANS HONOR MEDAL

The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal was created to honor, recognize and thank Louisiana Veterans for their honorable military service. Medals are available to all honorably discharged Louisiana Veterans and to the family of those killed in action.

The Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal is available with a blue ribbon for honorable discharge, a purple ribbon for Purple Heart recipients, a black ribbon for Prisoners of War, and a yellow ribbon for killed in action.

VA GUARANTEED HOME LOANS

May be used by veterans and unmarried surviving spouses of those who died of a service-connected disease or disability, to purchase or refinance a home.

VA PENSION

Financial support for veterans with limited income when they have 90 days or more of active-duty military service, one day of which was during a wartime period. To qualify, a veteran must be permanently and totally disabled for reasons traceable neither to military service nor to willful misconduct or must be over 65 years of age. The veteran must have been discharged from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable.

VA DISABILITY PAYMENTS

Payments to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred or aggravated as a result of military service.

LA NATIONAL GUARD DEATH AND DISABILITY BENEFIT

Louisiana National guardsmen suffering a permanent and total disability while on federal or state active duty on or after September 11, 2001, or the beneficiary of record of those killed in action may qualify for a $250,000 death or $100,000 disability benefit from the State of Louisiana. Certain restrictions apply.

“SUPPORT OUR VETERANS” AND OTHER SPECIALTY LOUISIANA LICENSE PLATES

The “Support our Veterans” license plate is available for purchase for a one-time fee of $25 at all Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicle locations.

HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION

Qualifying Veterans can receive additional tax benefits on their homestead exemption. Additional special property tax exemptions are also assessed for some disabled veterans or active duty servicemembers killed in action.

COMBAT PAY EXCEPTION

Military pay that is exempt from federal taxation, such as combat pay or hazardous duty pay, is also exempt from Louisiana state taxation.

MILITARY RETIREE PAY TAX EXEMPTION

Military retirement benefits are exempt from Louisiana state taxation.

LOUISIANA VETERANS’ HOMES

LDVA proudly operates five state-of-the-art Veterans Homes across the state. Each facility offers a variety of services including:

• Long- and short-term care
• Rehabilitative therapies
• Alzheimer’s and intermediate care
• Skilled nursing
• Mental health services
• Centralized pharmacy services
• And more

Homes are located conveniently across the state in Jackson, Bossier City, Monroe, Reserve and Jennings.