North Dakota VA Disability Benefits & Resources for Veterans

State benefit details verified against official state sources on September 27, 2026.

Overview

North Dakota’s disabled veteran property tax benefit is a sliding-scale credit that starts at 50%, not an all-or-nothing exemption at 100%. Each 10 points of rating adds $900 of taxable value to the credit. The state doesn’t tax military retirement, charges $10 for fishing and small game licenses at 50% or more, and gives dependents of 100% disabled or deceased veterans free tuition. The North Dakota Department of Veterans Affairs (NDDVA) in Fargo works with county veterans service officers statewide.

Key benefits at a glance

Property tax relief

The Disabled Veteran’s Property Tax Credit (N.D.C.C. 57-02-08.8) is for a veteran with an honorable discharge (or military retirement) who lives on and has an ownership interest in the property and has either a service-connected disability of 50% or more, or an extra-schedular rating (including individual unemployability) paying at the 100% rate. The credit reduces the homestead’s taxable value by:

If two disabled veterans are married and live together, their combined credits can’t exceed 100% or $9,000 of taxable value. Surviving spouses remain eligible, and a spouse receiving VA dependency and indemnity compensation gets 100% of the credit.

Deadline: send the Application for Disabled Veterans Property Tax Credit, with proof of your rating and honorable discharge, to the local assessor or county director of tax equalization by April 1 of the assessment year. After you’re approved, the credit is applied automatically.

State income tax

Since tax year 2019, North Dakota residents can subtract military retirement pay, including Reserve and National Guard retirement, and surviving spouses can subtract survivor benefits. The deduction equals the taxable amount on your federal return. Attach the DFAS Form 1099-R (ND Tax). VA disability compensation is excluded from federal gross income (IRS Publication 525), so North Dakota doesn’t tax it.

Vehicle registration and plates

NDDVA lists a special state license plate and a “V” veteran indicator on the North Dakota driver’s license among benefits available at every rating (NDDVA). Check with the Department of Transportation or your county veterans service officer for plate types and fees.

Hunting and fishing licenses

Under N.D.C.C. 20.1-03-12:

• A resident fishing license costs $10 instead of $25 for a resident disabled veteran with a service-connected disability of 50% or more, or with an extra-schedular rating (including TDIU) that brings the total to at least 50%. The $2 aquatic nuisance species surcharge doesn’t apply.
• A resident disabled veteran rated 50% or more can buy a combined general game, habitat stamp, small game and furbearer license for $10.

NDDVA also lists reduced state park fees for service-connected veterans.

Education benefits

Under N.D.C.C. 15-10-18.2 and 15-10-18.3, a dependent (child, stepchild, spouse, widow or widower) of a veteran who was killed in action, died of service-connected causes, has a 100% service-connected rating (or TDIU paid at the 100% rate), was a POW or was declared MIA can earn a bachelor’s degree or certificate free of tuition and fees at a North Dakota public college or university. Aviation flight charges are not covered, and residency rules apply. The benefit isn’t lost if a POW or MIA veteran returns.

State veterans home

The North Dakota Veterans Home in Lisbon provides both skilled nursing and basic care. Basic care requires residents to be fully independent.

Employment preference

Under N.D.C.C. 37-19.1-02, veterans (including those serving in or honorably discharged from the Guard or Reserve, and those within 120 days of discharge) are entitled to preference over all other applicants in government agencies’ recruitment and selection. A disability can’t disqualify them unless it prevents them from doing the job (NDDVA).

How to apply in North Dakota

1. Contact your county veterans service officer or NDDVA in Fargo (701-239-7165). NDDVA also runs a veterans transportation program.
2. Property tax credit: apply to your assessor or county director of tax equalization by April 1 with your VA rating letter and DD-214.
3. Income tax: take the military retirement subtraction on your North Dakota return and attach the 1099-R.
4. Licenses: buy the $10 disabled veteran licenses through Game and Fish with proof of your rating.
5. Tuition waiver: apply through your North Dakota public college’s financial aid office.

VA regional office and medical centers

The Fargo VA Regional Benefit Office is at 2101 Elm Street N, Building 40, Fargo, ND 58102, on the campus of the Fargo VA Medical Center. The Fargo VA Health Care System runs clinics in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Dickinson, Grafton, Grand Forks, Jamestown, Minot, Fargo, Williston and Fort Yates.

Filing a federal VA claim

Claims follow the same federal process everywhere: see how to file a VA claim, check your claim status, and current compensation rates. In North Dakota, each 10-point increase above 50% raises your property tax credit, so a rating increase is worth pursuing. A county VSO can file for you at no cost.

If you are in crisis, call 988 and press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.