Veterans living in the Hoosier State have earned a long list of services and benefits for themselves and their families through their honorable service to the nation. Knowing how to find and activate these benefits can be a challenge, but the Indiana Department of Veterans’ Affairs is an excellent place to start. This department serves as a hub on employment and education services, family support services, and help with applications and general veteran information. Additionally, County Veterans Service Offices are a local point of contact for veterans in their county to assist with all veteran issues.

Accessing quality health care is always a primary concern for veterans and their families, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) runs three main medical centers in Indiana, in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Marion. These medical centers offer a wide range of primary and specialty care and procedures, as well as unique programs for caregivers, female veterans, or those struggling with substance abuse or homelessness. Additionally, Indiana veterans and their eligible dependents can receive care at two outpatient clinics (Crown Point and Evansville) or at one of the 15 community-based outpatient clinics spread across the state.

If you are a veteran with children, facing a financial emergency or hardship, you may be eligible for the state’s Military Relief Fund, providing emergency grants up to $2,500 to cover needs such as food, housing, utilities, medical services, transportation, and other essential family support expenses. Veterans should download and complete the application packet, then return to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs office in Indianapolis by mail or fax. Additionally, the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program may be an additional helpful resource. This program provides cash assistance to families with children under the age of 18, living with their parents, with support based on the number of dependents and other criteria. The program also offers a range of counseling and services to assist military families including after-school child care for children age six and older, medical assistance for dependent children, transportation services, aid for heating costs and food stamps.

Senior veterans and spouses looking for longterm housing and care options, the Indiana Veterans’ Home in West Lafayette offers more than 250 acres and a thriving community of independent living and comprehensive care. Originally created to care for veterans of the Civil War, the Indiana Veterans’ Home welcomed its first resident in 1896 and has since grown to include a library and media center, gardens, crafts and hobbies, chapel, beauty shop, transportation services and a busy schedule of recreation and activities. The facility includes several levels of care such as independent living. around-the-clock nursing care, dedicated memory care unit, and short-term rehabilitative care for those recovering from surgery, illness, or injury. Eligible residents must be an honorably discharged veteran or the spouse (or surviving spouse) of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as an Indiana resident for at least one year immediately preceding application for admission.

For veterans looking to enjoy the state’s many outdoor and cultural recreation spots, they may be eligible for discounted rates and fees, including the Hoosier Golden Passport. This pass provides unlimited admission to all Indiana State-owned parks, recreation areas, reservoirs, and forests for one year. It is not valid for historic sites, museums, memorials, and other Department of Natural Resources (DNR) facilities. Veterans owning a Disabled American Veteran license plate may purchase the Hoosier Golden Passport at DNR facilities by driving to the park gate where the attendant will sell you the pass. If you do not have the plate but believe you are eligible, you will be given a form to request the plate, which you can send to the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs for verification.

Additionally, any Indiana resident who is service-connected disabled by the VA can buy an Indiana hunting and fishing license for a reduced fee. The veteran must complete the application available from County Veteran Service Officers, from the DNR offices, from the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs.

The state of Indiana is home to five national veteran cemeteries, offering a place for reflection and events honoring the memory of veterans who have passed on.  Veteran burial benefits include a gravesite available space, perpetual care, a Government headstone or marker, a burial flag, and a Presidential Memorial Certificate, at no cost to the family. Additionally, there is the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery, a state-maintained site located in Madison. Eligibility is similar to VA national cemeteries, but may include residency requirements. For veterans not buried in veteran cemeteries, Each county auditor is authorized to pay up to $100 to help with burial costs, and to pay up to $100 for the setting of a federal headstone.

To find out what veterans benefits exist in other states in the U.S. please visit our complete Veterans Benefits by State guide here.

Indiana Veterans Benefit for Assisted Living

The Aid and Attendance pension benefit is available to Indiana senior veterans and their spouses to help pay for senior care like assisted living, home care, or nursing home care. Here is more information on how the Aid and Attendance benefit helps Indiana veterans.

Written By Megan Hammons