Veteran Benefits for Wisconsin

• Wisconsin Individual Income Taxes on Military Pay: Military pay received by resident Service members is taxed in Wisconsin.

   Wisconsin Income Tax Exemption for National Guard and Reserve Service Members Serving on Active Duty: Military pay received by a reserve component Service member called to federal active duty or special state service under 32 USC 502(f) is not taxed in Wisconsin.

  This does not apply to drill pay or pay received for two-week annual training.

  Wisconsin Individual Income Taxes Combat Pay Exemption: Military pay exempt from federal taxes, such as combat pay, hazardous duty, or hostile fire pay, is exempt from Wisconsin taxes.

  Wisconsin Individual Income Taxes Extension in Filing Deadline: Any extension of time allowed under federal law for filing a federal income tax return also applies to Wisconsin income tax returns.

  Wisconsin Individual Income Tax Exemption on Death Gratuity: A Department of Defense Death Gratuity paid to the surviving dependent of an active duty Service member who dies in the line of duty is exempt from Wisconsin income taxes.

  Wisconsin Income Tax on Military Retired Pay: Military retired pay is not taxed in Wisconsin.

  All contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) are made using before-tax dollars. Distributions from the TSP are tax-sheltered annuity benefits and are taxable by Wisconsin.

  Wisconsin Taxes on Military Disability Retirement Pay: Military Disability Retirement Pay received as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance for personal injury or sickness resulting from active service in the U.S. Armed Forces should not be included in taxable income. Some of the payments that are considered disability benefits include:

  • Disability compensation and pension payments for disabilities paid to Veterans or their families
  • Grants for homes designed for wheelchair living
  • Grants for motor vehicles for Veterans who lost their sight or the use of limbs or
  • Benefits under a dependent-care assistance program

  Wisconsin State Taxes on U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): DIC is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to eligible survivors of U.S. Armed Forces Service members who died in the line of duty or eligible survivors of Veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease.

  Military Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) / Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RCSBP) / Retired Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan (RSFPP) Wisconsin State Tax Benefits: SBP, RCSBP, and RSFPP are not taxed in Wisconsin.

  Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit: The Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving spouses Property Tax Credit provides eligible Veterans and Surviving spouses a refundable property tax credit for their primary residence and up to one acre of land.

  Who is eligible for the Wisconsin Veterans and Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit? The definitions of an eligible Veteran and an eligible un-remarried Surviving spouse have expanded to include:

  • Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and received an honorable discharge
  • Wisconsin residents at the time they entered the U.S. Armed Forces or for five consecutive years after entering the U.S. Armed Forces
  • Individuals with a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA or their branch of service or who have been rated individually unemployable are eligible for compensation at the 100% rate.
  • Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Service member who was serving in an active or reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces and died in the line of duty (Service members must meet residency requirements, as listed above, at their time of death)
  • Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Veteran who had a 100% service-connected disability rating from the VA or their branch of service or has been rated as individually unemployable and is eligible for compensation at the 100% rate (Veteran must meet residency requirements as listed above at their time of death)
  • Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Veteran who is receiving Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) from the VA (Veteran must have met residency requirements as listed above at their time of death)

   

Sales Tax:

• Statewide: 5.0%
• Counties: can levy an additional sales tax of no more than 1.75%
• Current average sales tax (with local taxes included): 5.43%

Recreation

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Armed Forces Service Member Benefits: Wisconsin law extends many hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for resident and nonresident active and reserve component Service members. A short description of these benefits is listed below. 

Free Licenses for Service Members on Leave: Wisconsin resident Service members serving active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for free small game hunting and fishing licenses when on leave. Service members must show their military ID and leave papers when they apply.

Service members on leave are also eligible for the following benefits:

• One bonus antlerless deer harvest authorization for any one unit with a quota, even if the unit is sold out
• Use Gun Buck Deer harvest authorization and one Farmland (Zone 2) Antlerless Deer harvest authorization statewide on public access or private land.
• Use Gun Buck Deer harvest authorization to harvest a buck during any firearm deer season, including during antlerless-only deer seasons.
• Spring turkey harvest authorization for any zone and period
• Sturgeon spearing license after the October 31 deadline, through the end of the open season for spearing sturgeon

 

Education Programs

Wisconsin GI Bill Tuition Remission Program for Veterans, Spouses, and Children:  The Wisconsin GI Bill remits (forgives) full tuition and segregated fees for eligible Veterans, their spouses, and children for up to eight full-time semesters or 128 credits, whichever is greater, at any University of Wisconsin System Campus or Wisconsin Technical College System College. The Wisconsin GI Bill is a state program entirely separate from the VA educational benefits. Students may attend full or part-time and be used for continuing education or undergraduate or graduate degrees.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill Tuition Remission Program for Veterans, Spouses, and Children? To be eligible for the Wisconsin GI Bill, Veterans must meet the following requirements:

Veteran Residency Requirement:

• Wisconsin resident at the time of entry into active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces or
• Wisconsin resident for at least five years before application

Veteran Service Requirement: The Veteran must have received an honorable discharge for service under one of the following conditions:

• Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for 90 or more days during a wartime period or
• Served in a crisis zone or
• Served on active duty for at least two years or the full period of their initial service obligation (during peacetime)
• Eligible for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Campaign Medal
• Was discharged before meeting time-in-service requirements due to a service-connected disability

Spouse and Child Residency Requirement:

• Spouse or child is a Wisconsin resident for at least five consecutive years at the time of application and
• Veteran was a Wisconsin resident at the time of entry into active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces

Veteran Service Requirement for Spouse and Child Eligibility: The Veteran must have received an honorable discharge from active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces and have a 30% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA. The Veteran may be living or deceased; if deceased, the Veteran must have been a Wisconsin resident at the time of death and whose death was under one of the following circumstances:

• Died on while on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces
• Died as the result of a service-connected disability
• Died in the line of duty while on active or inactive duty for training status

Surviving spouses must be unmarried to be eligible. Children must be the biological child, adopted child, or non-marital child who is at least 17 years old but less than 26 years old.

Eligibility determination is a two-part process; students must submit a Request for Certification for Wisconsin GI Bill Form to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) and an Application for Wisconsin GI Bill, Form WDVA 2029, to the school they plan to attend.

Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant: The Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant provides educational financial assistance for eligible Veterans, their spouse, and children to attend participating private non-profit educational institutions. The grant amount is less than $2000 or 50% of the tuition charged per semester. For each grant, the private institution will match the grant amount to offset the tuition charged to the student.

Grants may be made for up to 128 credits or eight semesters, less the number of credits or semesters the student received tuition assistance under the Wisconsin GI Bill. Veteran Student Assistance Grants are paid only after all grants and scholarships, including VA educational benefits, are paid.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant? To be eligible for the Wisconsin Veteran Student Assistance Grant, Veterans must meet the following requirements:

Veteran Residency Requirement:

• Wisconsin resident at the time of entry into active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces or
• Wisconsin resident for at least five years before application

Veteran Service Requirement: The Veteran must have received an honorable discharge for service in the U.S. Armed Forces under one of the following conditions:

• Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for 90 or more days during a wartime period or
• Served on active duty for at least two years or the full period of their initial service obligation (during peacetime)
• Eligible for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Campaign Medal
• Discharged before meeting time in service requirements due to a service-connected disability

Veteran Service Requirement for Spouse and Child Eligibility: For a spouse or child to be eligible, the Veteran must have received an honorable discharge and meet the following requirements:

• 30% or more service-connected disability rating from the VA
• Died in the line of duty
• Died as the result of a service-connected disability

Surviving spouses must be unmarried to be eligible. Children must be at least 17 but under 26 years old.

Wisconsin Veterans Education (VetEd) Reimbursement Grant: The VetEd grant program reimburses Veterans for tuition at schools approved by the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs State Approving Agency or the Wisconsin Educational Approval Program. The maximum number of credits a Veteran may receive reimbursement for is based on the time the Veteran served on active duty (active duty for training does not count toward eligibility).

Time in Service to Credit Breakdown:

• 90 to 180 days active duty = 30 credits or two semesters
• 181 to 730 days active duty = 60 credits or four semesters
• 731 days or more active duty = 120 credits or eight semesters

Veterans must apply for the Wisconsin GI Bill before using VetEd funds. VetEd reimbursement will only be paid after all grants and scholarships, including VA educational benefits. 

Who is eligible for the VetEd Reimbursement Grant? The Veteran must have received an honorable discharge for service under one of the following conditions:

• Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for 90 or more days during a wartime period unless discharged early due to a service-connected disability or
• Served in a crisis zone or
• Served on active duty for at least two years or the full period of their initial service obligation (during peacetime) or
• Eligible for an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal or Campaign Medal
• Was discharged before meeting time-in-service requirements due to a service-connected disability

Additional Eligibility Requirements:

• The Veteran does not have a bachelor’s degree.
• Wisconsin resident at the time of entry into active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces or for at least 12 months before application
• Veterans must use VetEd benefits within ten years of discharge to be eligible for full credit for time in service; veterans will receive reduced credit after ten years.
• The veteran’s household income must be below $50,000, plus $1,000 for each dependent or more than two dependents.

Veterans can apply online at MyWisVets, through their County Veterans Service Office (CVSO), or by completing the Wisconsin Veterans Education Grant Application and mailing it to the address at the top of the form.

Wisconsin Veteran Job Retraining Grants: Veterans who are unemployed or underemployed may be eligible for a grant of up to $3,000 per year if they have a financial need while retraining for new employment. The grant amount is determined by the applicant’s financial need as calculated by the WDVA.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin Veteran Job Retraining Grants? The Veteran must have been involuntarily laid off or discharged (not due to misconduct) within one year before the date that the WDVA receives the application. The Veteran must have been employed for at least six consecutive months with the same employer or in the same or similar occupations. An underemployed Veteran must have a current annual employment income below federal poverty guidelines. 

The Veteran must be enrolled in a technical education program, authorized private occupational trade school, or in a structured on-the-job training program that will be completed within two years of the date of application and is reasonably expected to lead to employment.

Veterans may apply for a second retraining grant one year after the first grant was issued. Veterans may only receive two retraining grants.

The WDVA will also pay a retraining grant to the Veteran’s employer when the Veteran is in an authorized on-the-job training program.

Veterans may apply for the grant through their local CVSO.

Academic Credit for Military Experience: Active and reserve component Service members and Veterans can receive academic credit for military courses they completed while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Students should contact the Veterans’ Coordinator at the college or university they plan to attend.

Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program: The Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program offers educational and financial assistance to Wisconsin National Guard Service members who are attending full or part-time at a University of Wisconsin System Campus, Wisconsin Technical College System school , or attending a school in a neighboring state under a Wisconsin tuition reciprocity agreement. 

These grants pay up to the equivalent of 100% of tuition, as charged at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, for a maximum of eight semesters. Grants cannot pay for room and board, books, course fees, or continuing education credits.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin National Guard Tuition Grant Program? Wisconsin National Service members must meet the following requirements:

• Warrant Officer or enlisted Service member in good standing in the Wisconsin National Guard
• Completed Initial Entry Training and Advanced Individual Training
• Must not have a bachelor’s degree
• No more than nine unexcused unit training assembly absences
• Not delinquent on any child support or maintenance payments unless there is a county-approved repayment agreement

Wisconsin High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans: Local school boards in Wisconsin will award high school diplomas to Veterans who left high school before receiving their diploma to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces during wartime. 

Who is eligible for Wisconsin High School Diplomas for Wartime Veterans? Veterans must meet all the following requirements to be eligible:

• 65 years old or older, 55 years old or older if the Veteran has a service-connected disability
• Attended high school in a Wisconsin school district
• Left high school before receiving a high school diploma to serve on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during a wartime period
• Received an honorable discharge

Diplomas may also be awarded to Veterans with a High School Equivalency Diploma or GED. Diplomas may be awarded posthumously to eligible Veterans.

Wisconsin Veteran Upward Bound Program (VUB): VUB is a free program offered at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the Zablocki VA Domiciliary Veterans Center, which helps eligible Veterans become college-ready and helps get them to enroll in a postsecondary school (university, community college, and vocational/technical programs).

VUB Services offers:

• College preparatory instruction and tutoring
• Preparation for academic placement exams and testing
• Career assessment and planning
• Application and financial aid assistance
• Academic advisors to assist with enrollment
• Access to other resources – study area, computer lab, student coffee lounge
• Referrals to additional college and community resources

Who is eligible for VUB? To be eligible, Veterans must have served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least six months and received a discharge other than dishonorable. Veterans must also meet low-income requirements, be first-generation college students, and/or have an academic need.

Wisconsin Resident Tuition Rates for Nonresident Veterans, Service Members, and their Families: Nonresident Service members and their families are eligible for resident tuition rates. At the same time, they are stationed in Wisconsin or a neighboring state within 90 miles of the Wisconsin border.

Nonresident Veterans and their families are eligible if the Veteran meets the following requirements:

• Served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces for at least ten years
• Received an honorable discharge within four years before applying to the Wisconsin Institution of Higher Learning
• Filed Wisconsin state income tax returns for at least 8 of the last ten years of active duty and their spouses and children

Reserve component Service members who have been active members of the Wisconsin National Guard or the U.S. Armed Forces Reserves for at least six months are eligible for resident tuition.

Wisconsin Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children (MIC3): The purpose of this compact is to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents by:

• Facilitating the prompt enrollment of children of military families and ensuring that they are not placed at a disadvantage due to 

Housing: The following are the sites for Veterans Homes

Wisconsin Veterans Homes: Wisconsin has three Veterans Homes that provide long term skilled nursing care for Veterans and their eligible family members.

Wisconsin State Veterans Home at King

Wisconsin State Veterans Home at Union Grove

Wisconsin State Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls

Some of the services provided at Wisconsin Veterans Homes include:

• Dental care
• Doctor visits
• Laboratory services
• Social worker services
• Medical Transportation
• Mental health services
• Occupational, physical, respiratory, and speech therapies
• Skilled nursing care
• Social services
• Special Care units
• Religious services
• Family-style dining rooms
• Housekeeping services
• Daily activities

Who is eligible for care at Wisconsin Veterans Homes? Wisconsin residency is not a requirement for admission. To qualify for admission at a Wisconsin Veterans Home, applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

• Veteran who served on active duty during peacetime for two or more years or the entire period of their initial obligation and received an honorable discharge or
• Veteran who served on active duty for at least 90 days, one day of which must have been during a wartime period, and received an honorable discharge or
• Spouse of an eligible Veteran or
• Spouse and Parents of a Service member who was killed while serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces

Admissions are considered using the following priorities:

• First Priority – Veterans
• Second Priority – Spouse of an eligible Veterans
• Third Priority – Spouse of a deceased Veteran
• Fourth Priority – Parents of Veterans who were killed while on active duty.

Within each of the admission priorities above, applications will also be prioritized based on:

• First Priority – Wisconsin resident for more than six continuous months before application
• Second Priority – Wisconsin resident for less than six straight months before application
• Third Priority – Nonresident applicants

Employment and Job Training: Veteran’s Preference

Wisconsin State Employment Military Leave Benefit: Permanent State employees who are serving in a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible for 30 days of military leave with pay and without loss of benefits for:

• Attendance at military schools
• Annual field training
• State or federal active duty
• Absence must be greater than three days (does not have to be workdays)

Service members are paid the difference between their state salary and their military base pay while on military leave.

Service members who are on extended military leave without pay and who return to their state job will receive credit for annual leave, sick leave, and legal holidays as if they had remained continuously employed.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin State Employment Military Leave Benefit? U.S. Armed Forces Reserve and National Guard Service members who are state employees are eligible for military leave.

Wisconsin State Employment Differential Pay: State employees who are members of a reserve component of the U.S. Armed Forces are eligible to receive the difference between their state salary and their military pay, plus housing allowance, for 179 days when they are called to extended active duty. Service members whose state salary is greater than their military pay are not eligible for differential pay.

Wisconsin State Employment Veterans Hiring Preference: Wisconsin offers a Veterans hiring preference to eligible Veterans and their spouse when applying for state employment. Preference will only be given for initial employment.

Applicants for positions that use a competitive examination or rating will have points added to their passing score. Points are added in the following manner:

• Veterans will have 10 points added to their grade.
• Disabled Veterans who have less than a 30% disability rating from the VA will have 15 points added to their grade.
• Disabled Veterans who have a disability rating greater than 30% from the VA will have 20 points added to their grade
• The spouse of a disabled Veteran who has a disability rating of 70% or greater from the VA will have 10 points added to their grade.
• Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Veteran who was killed in action will have 10 points added to their grade.
• Un-remarried Surviving spouse of a Veteran who died from a service-connected disability will have 10 points added to their grade.

Wisconsin Veteran-Owned Business Certification: The Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) recognizes the important role that Veteran-owned and disabled Veteran-owned businesses play in the Wisconsin economy. To help these businesses identify and promote themselves, the WDVA has a distinct logo for certified Veteran-owned businesses operating in Wisconsin. Certified businesses may also be eligible for preference when bidding on state contracts.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin Veteran Owned Business Certification? For a veteran-owned business to be eligible, it must have less than $1,500,000 in gross annual sales and be at least 51% owned by one or more Veterans.

Wisconsin Veteran Farmer Assistance and Outreach Program: The WDVA and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection (DATCP) recognize the important role that Veteran-Owned Farms play in the Wisconsin economy. To help Veteran farmers identify and promote themselves, the WDVA and DATCP have a distinct logo for certified Veteran-Owned Farms operating in Wisconsin.

Wisconsin Troops to Teachers (TTT) Program: The TTT program helps Service members leaving active duty service in the U.S. Armed Forces, reserve component Service members, Veterans, and retired Service members transition to new careers as public and charter school teachers. This program provides information, referrals, and financial assistance to those interested in gaining certification and employment as teachers. These services are provided through a network of state offices and a national office in Pensacola, Florida.

Participants can receive:

• Individualized counseling and transition planning
• Assistance in state teacher certification and licensing requirements
• Connecting with hiring officials
• Ongoing support and mentorship

TTT enrollees pursuing a teaching certification who agree to teach in high-need school districts can receive a stipend of up to $5,000 to offset the cost of teacher training programs. Those willing to teach in schools with a high percentage of students from low-income families may receive a $10,000 bonus.

Who is eligible for the Wisconsin TTT Program? Current Service members and former Service members who have retired or separated and received an honorable discharge are eligible to apply for the TTT program.

• Federal Employment Veteran’s Hiring Preferences:  Federal law mandates that Veterans, especially those with disabilities or those who served during specific time periods or in military campaigns, are granted preference over non-veterans when it comes to Federal civil service hiring and retention during workforce reductions. In various scoring processes for examinations and interviews, Veterans may be eligible for an additional 5 or 10 points.
• 5-point Hiring Preference: Five points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served:
  • During a war, or
  • During the period April 28, 1952, through July 1, 1955, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976, or
  • During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992, or
  • For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010, the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom, or
  • In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference

  10-point Compensable Disability (CP) Preference:  Ten points are added to the examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of at least 10% but less than 30%.

  10-Point 30% Compensable Disability Preference (CPS): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a Veteran who served at any time and who has a compensable service-connected disability rating of 30% or more.

  10-Point Disability Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of:

  • A veteran who served at any time and has a present service-connected disability or is receiving compensation, disability retirement benefits, or pension from the military or the VA but does not qualify as a CP or CPS, or
  • Veteran who received a Purple Heart

  10-Point Derived Preference (XP): Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of spouses, Surviving spouses, or mothers of Veterans. Both a mother and a spouse (including a Surviving spouse) may be entitled to preference based on the same Veteran’s service if they both meet the requirements. However, neither may receive preference if the Veteran is living and is qualified for Federal employment.

  Ten points are added to the passing examination score or rating of the spouse of a disabled Veteran who is disqualified for a federal position along the general lines of their usual occupation because of a service-connected disability. Such a disqualification may be presumed when the Veteran is unemployed and:

  • Is rated by appropriate military or VA authorities to be 100% disabled and/or unemployable, or
  • Has retired, been separated, or resigned from a civil service position because of a disability that is service-connected in origin, or
  • Has attempted to obtain a civil service position or other position along the lines of their usual occupation and has failed to qualify because of a service-connected disability

  Preference may be allowed in other circumstances but anything less than the above warrants a more careful analysis.

  A campaign medal holder or Gulf War Veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligible Veterans separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to Veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under Title 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.

  Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA): USERRA protects civilian job rights and benefits for Veterans and members of reserve components. USERRA also protects Service member rights and benefits by clarifying the law, improving enforcement mechanisms, and adding Federal Government employees to those employees already eligible to receive Department of Labor assistance in processing claims.

  Absence from Work for Military Duty: USERRA establishes the cumulative length of time that an individual may be absent from work for military duty and retain reemployment rights for five years. Exceptions to the five-year limit, include initial enlistments lasting more than five years, periodic National Guard and U.S. Armed Forces Reserve training duty, and involuntary active duty extensions and recalls, especially during a time of national emergency. USERRA establishes that reemployment protection does not depend on the timing, frequency, duration, or nature of an individual’s service if the basic eligibility criteria are met.

  Disability Accommodation: USERRA provides protection for disabled Veterans, requiring employers to make reasonable efforts to accommodate the disability. Service members recovering from injuries received during service or training may have up to two years from the date of completion of service to return to their jobs or apply for reemployment.

  Return to Work without Loss of Seniority:  USERRA provides that returning Service members are reemployed in the job that they would have attained had they not been absent for military service, with the same seniority, status, and pay, as well as other rights and benefits determined by seniority. USERRA also requires that reasonable efforts (such as training or retraining) be made to enable returning Service members to refresh or upgrade their skills to help them qualify for reemployment. USERRA also provides that while an individual is performing military service, they are deemed to be on a furlough or leave of absence and are entitled to the non-seniority rights accorded to other individuals on non-military leaves of absence.

  Extension of Health and Pension Plans: Health and pension plan coverage for Service members is provided for by USERRA. Individuals performing military duty of more than 30 days may elect to continue employer-sponsored health care for up to 24 months; however, they may be required to pay up to 102% of the full premium. For military service of less than 31 days, health care coverage is provided as if the Service member had remained employed. USERRA clarifies pension plan coverage by making explicit that all pension plans are protected.

  Who is eligible for USERRA Benefits? Veterans, U.S. Armed Forces Reserve or National Guard Service members who leave a position for training or active military service are eligible.

  The Department of Labor, through the Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS), helps all who have claims under USERRA, including Federal and Postal Service employees.

Burials and Memorials

Please note that your preference regarding burial in a national cemetery and use of a headstone provided by VA should be documented and kept with your paperwork and medical records.

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) pays tribute to eligible Veterans and their family members by providing a final resting place and a lasting memorial to commemorate the Veteran’s dedicated service to the nation.

The burial benefits encompass a gravesite in any of our open cemeteries with available space, the opening and closing of the grave, perpetual care, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, all at no cost to the family. Some Veterans may also meet the criteria for a burial allowance. Cremated remains are interred or inurned in national cemeteries with the same honors and respect as casketed remains.

Burial benefits extend to eligible spouses and dependents, including burial alongside the Veteran and perpetual care of the interment site. The name and relevant dates of birth and death of the spouse or dependent are inscribed on the Veteran’s headstone at no expense to the family. Importantly, spouses and qualified dependents are eligible for burial even if they pass away before the Veteran and are not required to be interred in the same national cemetery as the Veteran.

National Cemeteries include:

Madison: Forest Hill Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Milwaukee: Forest Home Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Milwaukee: Wood National Cemetery

Portage, WI: Fort Winnebago Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Prairie du Chien: Fort Crawford Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Racine: Mound Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot

Wisconsin VA Benefit Resources

Wisconsin provides Veterans with a Regional Benefits Office and VA Medical Centers.

Wisconsin VA Regional Benefits Office

• Milwaukee: Milwaukee Regional Office

Wisconsin VA Medical Centers

• Madison: William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital
• Milwaukee: Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center
• Tomah: Tomah VA Medical Center

Important information for Wisconsin Veteran Benefits:

For Veterans applying for VA benefits for the first time, you must submit a copy of your DD 214 (discharge paperwork). This will provide your discharge status, full name, social security number, branch of service, and dates for which you served. Honorable and general discharges qualify a Veteran for most VA benefits.

You should always keep your paperwork and medical records in a safe place where you and your family can access them. It is imperative to have it in a location where it cannot be destroyed or tampered with, which includes a safe.

Your eligibility for most VA benefits is based upon discharge from active military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Active service means full-time service as a member of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard or as a commissioned officer of the Public Health Service, the Environmental Services Administration, or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Any Veteran discharged from the military under the conditions of “Dishonorable” due to bad conduct discharges issued by general courts-martial may bar VA benefits. Veterans in prison and parolees may be eligible for certain VA benefits. VA regional offices can clarify the eligibility of prisoners, parolees, and individuals with multiple discharges issued under differing conditions.

*This information is accurate as of November 2023

Wisconsin Veteran Benefits

If you are a disabled Veteran in Wisconsin and are VA rated 90% or less, you may be eligible for additional benefits. Contact Veterans Guardian for a free consultation with no obligation. Let us review your claim to determine if you are eligible for an increase in VA compensation and whether you qualify for additional benefits.