For Missouri’s Veterans, military members, and their families, navigating the landscape of state and federal benefits can be easier with the Missouri Veterans Commission (MVC) online Benefits & Resources Guide (click here) which is designed to serve as a single point of access for essential services, valuable programs, and support contacts.

Whether you are looking to secure the compensation you earned, find local healthcare options, or explore educational grants, this guide acts as a roadmap to help improve your quality of life.

Here is a breakdown of what one can find:

1. Veterans Service Program

Connecting with a Veterans Service Officer (VSO) can make all the difference when submitting claims to the VA. The booklet outlines the exact locations and contact information for VSO offices across Missouri’s five core regions including the Southeast Region that includes the 24th Judicial Circuit.

Veterans can find your local officer instantly here > Veterans Service Officer Locator.

2. Long-Term Skilled Nursing Care

The MVC manages seven long-term skilled nursing Missouri Veterans Homes (located in Cameron, Cape Girardeau, Mexico, Mount Vernon, St. James, St. Louis, and Warrensburg). The guide details the community environment, 24-hour medical services provided, and strict state residency and eligibility criteria required for admission.

3. Dignified Resting Places

Missouri honors its heroes with a dedicated network of State Veterans Cemeteries in Bloomfield, Ft. Leonard Wood, Higginsville, Jacksonville, and Springfield. The resource covers pre-registration procedures, burial benefits (which include an upright granite headstone and full military honors at no charge), and lists available National Cemeteries within the state. Eligible individuals can also apply for burial benefits online.

4. Suicide Prevention & Crisis Support

Promulgated under recent state laws (Senate Bill 912 and House Bill 1495), the booklet highlights the MVC’s expanded Veterans Suicide Prevention Program, working in tandem with the Department of Mental Health. Veterans and families can find vital details on the Veterans Suicide Prevention Portal or instantly connect with a qualified responder by calling 988 and Pressing 1.

5. Education, Employment, and State Tax Benefits

Beyond healthcare and housing, the guide features extensive information on maximizing your financial and professional well-being:

• Education: Learn about the Missouri Returning Heroes Education Act (limiting tuition to $50/credit hour at public universities) and the Wartime Veteran’s Survivor Grant Program. Learn more at the DESE Veterans Education Page.
• Employment: Information on Veterans’ Employment Specialists at Missouri Job Centers, the Show-Me Heroes Program, and retirement service credits.
• State Tax & License Perks: Discover the 100% military retirement pension tax deduction, property tax exemptions for former POWs, low-cost hunting/fishing permits, and how to get the “Veteran” designation printed on your Missouri Driver’s License.

To read the guide in full or explore live updates, visit the official Missouri Veterans Benefits and Resource Portal.

And click here for a full pdf of this info in a booklet.