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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, Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve and Jennings.
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Qualifications
Veterans, their spouses and Gold Star parents are eligible for admission into the veterans homes if they are deemed to meet basic qualifying criteria. Please review page two of the admissions application for the requirements or call toll free 877-GEAUX-VA.
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How to Apply
How To Apply: Download the fillable, printable admissions application and mail your completed application to your chosen location.
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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.
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The Medal of Honor Character Development Program
The Medal of Honor CDP is a resource designed by teachers to provide students with opportunities to explore the important concepts of courage, commitment, sacrifice, patriotism, integrity and citizenship and how these values can be exemplified in daily life. The depth and breadth of our students’ insight and reflection after interacting with these materials has been remarkable. We are confident that you will find these resources to be as rich and engaging as we have.
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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 applies. In order 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.
MFA is funded by private donations from individuals and corporations. Visit our How to Help page to donate to the MFA fund.
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Qualifications
To qualify for assistance from the MFA Fund, Veterans and activated military applicants must meet certain minimum active-duty service requirements, and have been honorably discharged. Immediate family members of eligible Veterans and activated military personnel may also qualify. Completed applications must include all supporting documents requested on the form.
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How To Apply
Apply for MFA funds by clicking the button below. For more information, you may call toll free 1-877-432-8982.
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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.
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How to Apply
To apply for your Louisiana Veterans Honor Medal, please complete an application by filling out our form online. You will also be required to submit a copy of your DD214 or discharge papers with your application.
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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.
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Military Funeral Honors
Based on available resources, funeral honors may be available and may include the presence of military members, folding and presentation of the flag, firing details, and the sounding of Taps.
Military Funeral Honors are available through the different branches of service upon request and upon availability. Contact the respective branch using the information below.
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Branch Contact Information
ARMY:
Casualty Assistance Section, Ft. Polk
Phone: 337-531-6316/1726NAVY:
Naval Region SE
Toll Free Phone: 800-326-9631AIR FORCE:
NCOIC Barksdale AFB Honor Guard
Phone: 318-456-5246/ 318-564-8146MARINE CORPS:
Inspector Instructor Offices
Toll Free Phone: 866-826-3628COAST GUARD:
New Orleans, La.
Phone: 504-253-6361/ 504-628-5270
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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.
Eligibility for Title 29 state educational benefits requires that veterans meet residency requirements under La. R.S. 29:288. View a listing of documents that LDVA will accept to show that the residency requirement has been met.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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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.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Parish Service Office here.
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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.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Parish Service Office here.
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VA Disability Payments
Payments to veterans who are disabled by injury or disease incurred, or aggravated as a result of military service.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Parish Service Office here.
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Discounts for licenses and state parks
Louisiana Veterans can enjoy discounts and fee waivers for hunting and fishing licenses as well as entrance to Louisiana state parks. Certain qualifications apply.
Beginning June 1, 2022
For Non-Resident Disabled Veterans who have a permanent service-connected classification of 50% or more:- The LDVA Disabled Veteran Hunting/Fishing License Form must be filled out and signed by the veteran and all requested information provided, including:
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- Copy of valid Driver’s License or State ID
- Proof of permanent VA disability rating of 50% or more (can be a VA Rating Decision, a My VA Letter, etc.)
- Veterans requiring a hunter certification number, please visit: wlf.louisiana.gov
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- Please email or mail your completed application and proofs (ID and proof of VA rating) to:
- Email to michael.jorden@la.gov
- Or mail to:
LDVA
Evangeline Parish VSO
205 Court St., Suite 4
Ville Platte, LA 70586
- LDVA will certify the application and email the completed application to LWF (through lifetime@wlf.la.gov, noting “Disabled Veteran” in the email subject line) , where LDWF will certify and send the veteran his/her initial hunting/fishing license.
- Each year after that, the veteran may purchase that new year’s hunting/fishing license either online on your website or in person at any one of the retailers listed at your hunting or recreational fishing license listing on your website under https://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/page/recreational-fishing-licenses-and-permits
Louisiana residents may also use this process or visit our website (at www.vetaffairs.la.gov/locations/) to find their local VAC office to have their LDVA form certified. LDVA will forward the application to LDWF for certification on a veteran’s initial licensing. LWF pays the nominal fee for both resident and non-resident disabled veterans hunting and recreational fishing licenses, so that these licenses are free to the veteran.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
- The LDVA Disabled Veteran Hunting/Fishing License Form must be filled out and signed by the veteran and all requested information provided, including:
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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. Additional eligibility requirements apply.
Please visit your local Parish Assessor’s Office to learn more.
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Law Documentation
Click here to view the official digest of the Homestead Exemption statute.
Click here to view considerations for 100% Disabled Vets.
Click here to view other special exemptions, such as for property of servicemembers killed in action.
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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.
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Military Retiree Pay Tax Exemption
Military retirement benefits are exempt from Louisiana state taxation.
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Free Military Honor plate for disabled veterans
Veterans classified 100% disabled by the USDVA are eligible for a free military honor plate labeled with the universal symbol for accessibility. There are no renewal fees for this plate.
Qualifications: Act No. 194 of the 2016 LA Legislature Regular Session outlines qualifications and other details regarding the Military Honors plate.
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“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. Proceeds support the Military Family Assistance Fund. Other specialty license plates are also available, including the Purple Heart license plate and the Military Honors license plate for disabled veterans.
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How to Apply
For more information and a complete listing of all specialty Louisiana license plates in support of Veterans and their families, please visit: www.expresslane.org or visit your local Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
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VETERAN designation and discounts on Louisiana drivers’ licenses and IDs
Veterans can now be recognized through a special VETERAN designation on their official Louisiana drivers’ licenses and IDs. Veterans may also qualify for special discounts or waivers on fees for drivers’ licenses or IDs. Proof of Veteran status is required.
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How to Apply
For more information on VETERAN designations, contact your local Louisiana State Office of Motor Vehicles. For more about waivers, please contact the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles at (225) 925-6146 or visit your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office.
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Louisiana 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.
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How To Apply
To apply for the Louisiana National Guard death and disability benefit, or for more information, please email langclaims@la.gov.
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VA Healthcare System
Medical treatment and hospital care for veterans with service connected disabilities and others who meet VA eligibility criteria.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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Health Centers
Alexandria VA Medical Center
2495 Shreveport Highway
Pineville, LA 71306
(318) 466-4000
1-800-375-8387Southeast LA Veterans
Health Care System
1601 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
1-800-935-8387Overton Brooks VA Medical Center, Shreveport
510 E. Stoner Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71101
(318) 221-8411
1-800-863-7441G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Hospital (Mississippi)
1500 East Woodrow Wilson Ave.
Jackson, MS. 39216
(601)362-4471 -
Outpatient Clinics
Baton Rouge
7968 Essen Park Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809
(225) 761-3400Franklin
603 Halfleigh Street
Franklin, LA 70538
(337) 828-9092Hammond
1131 South Morrison Ave
Hammond, LA 70403
985-902-5100Reserve
4004 West Airline Hwy
Reserve, LA 70084
985-479-6770Jennings
1907 Johnson St.
Jennings, LA 70546
(337)824-1000Bogalusa
319 Memphis Street
Bogalusa, LA 70427
(985) 735-9029Monroe
250 DeSiard Plaza Dr
Monroe, LA 71203
800-832-3525; 318-343-6100Slidell
60491 Doss Drive
Slidell, LA 70460
985-690-2626Leesville
3353 University Parkway
Leesville, LA 71446
(337) 392-3801Lafayette
2100 Jefferson St, Suite 102A
Lafayette, LA 70501
337-261-0734Houma
1750 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd Suite 107
Houma, LA 70360
985-851-0188Natchitoches
740 Keyser Avenue
Natchitoches, LA 71457
(318) 357-3300
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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.
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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. For more information, please visit: www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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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. For more information, please visit: www.nrcs.usda.gov
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Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment
This program helps Veterans with service-connected disabilities prepare for, find, and keep jobs. Certain qualifications apply.
For more information, please visit: www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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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.
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How to Apply
To see current state job openings, please visit: www.civilservice.la.gov or call toll free 1-866-783-5462.
For more information about Federal openings, please visit www.fedshirevets.gov or call (202) 606-7304.
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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.
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How to Apply
For more information, please visit: www.laworks.net or call toll free 1-800-259-5154.
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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.
Click here to read the official digest for this statute.
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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.
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How to Apply
Visit your college or university to inquire about the application process.
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Survivors and Dependents Education (Chapter 35)
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. Eligibility requirements apply.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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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.
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Veteran GI Bill Apprenticeship and OJT Program
Offers an alternative way to use GI Bill education and training benefits. Eligibility requirements apply.
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How to Apply
Talk to your employer about the application process. They will work with the State Approving Agency on this.
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Montgomery GI Bill
VA educational benefits may be used while the Servicemember is on active duty or after the Servicemember’s separation from active duty with a fully honorable military discharge. Eligibility requirements apply.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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Yellow Ribbon GI Bill Education Enhancement Program
May assist eligible individuals with payment of their tuition and fees in instances where costs exceed the in-state tuition charges at a public institution or the national maximum payable at private and foreign institutions. Eligibility requirements apply.
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How to Apply
Visit your college or university office to find out more.
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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.
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How to Apply
Visit your local VAC. Find your nearest LDVA Veterans Parish Service Office here.
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