The following are benefits and programs open to spouses and children of Veterans.
The Wisconsin GI Bill (WI GI Bill)—Tuition Remission Program
This program provides a waiver of eligible tuition and fees at all of the 13 two-year and 13 four-year campuses of the University of Wisconsin System (UWS) and all of the 16 Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) district campuses. It may be used by eligible veterans, spouses, unremarried surviving spouses and children for a total of eight semesters or 128 credits, whichever is greater, for each eligible person. The waiver can be used for all levels of study such as associate, baccalaureate, masters degrees or even doctrinal study.
Eligibility of Spouse, Unremarried Surviving Spouse and Dependent Children
A qualifying (who entered active duty as a Wisconsin resident and served honorably) veteran’s spouse, unremarried surviving spouse or children are eligible when the veteran either:
Is awarded a Federal VA Service Connected Disability (SCD) rating of at least 30%;
Is killed in action (KIA);
Dies in the line of duty while on active, reserve, or National Guard service; or
The death after military service is determined by the VA to be the direct result of an SCD.
To establish dependent eligibility, a veteran must have at least one day of active duty in the armed forces, any forces incorporated into the armed forces, the National Guard or any Reserve component and have been a resident of Wisconsin at the time of death.
This information is only a program summary. For more information on program eligibility, applications or instructions, read brochure
WDVA B0105,Wisconsin Tuition Programs for Veterans, Qualifying Spouses and Children.
Wisconsin Veterans & Surviving Spouses Property Tax Credit
This program provides eligible veterans and unremarried, surviving spouses a refundable property tax credit for their primary, in-state residence (primary dwelling and one acre of land). The WDVA verifies the veteran’s eligibility and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) pays it in the form of a credit as a state income tax refund claimed on a State of Wisconsin, Department of Revenue Form 1 or Form 1A.
This benefit is available to an unremarried, surviving spouse of an eligible, deceased veteran (as defined below) or a service member who died in the line of duty and was a Wisconsin resident at the time of death.
Applicants who believe they may qualify should contact their local CVSO for assistance in applying for this benefit or call 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).
Wisconsin Veterans Homes
To Arrange For A Pre-Admission Tour Call:
Veterans Home at King, (715) 258-5586 ext. 2270
Veterans Home at Union Grove, (262) 878-6700 ext. 6749 or (866) NOW-VETS (669-8387)
Veterans Home at Chippewa Falls (scheduled to open in late 2012)
Eligibility and Residency Requirements
To be admitted to the Home, veterans must meet criteria for military service and state residency.
The veteran must have entered service from the state of Wisconsin, or must have resided in the state of Wisconsin for 12 consecutive months since his/her discharge from military service. The application form must reflect a Wisconsin address for the home address. A spouse of a veteran can also reside at the Wisconsin Veterans Home, provided they are admitted while the veteran is at some type of facility (i.e., assisted living, nursing home, hospital) or if the spouse is a widow/widower.
Wisconsin Veterans Cemeteries
Spouses, surviving spouse, and dependent children are eligible for interment even if the veteran is not buried or memorialized in a state veterans’ cemetery and the veteran would have met both military service and Wisconsin residency requirements. This includes, lost or buried at sea, missing or missing in action, or whose remains have been donated to science or cremated and the ashes scattered.
Eligibility Includes:
Surviving spouse of an eligible veteran that has been interred who remarries retains his or her eligibility for burial.
Any natural or adoptive child of an eligible veteran who is under 18 years of age or who is under 26 years of age and pursuing a course of instruction at an approved educational institution.
An adult child of an eligible veteran of any age if the child is physically or mentally disabled and incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical disability.
Professional/Occupational Licensure Reciprocity
(for Spouses of Active Duty Service Members)
2011 Wisconsin Act 210, Section 10, allows for reciprocal credentials for the spouses of service members whose duty stations (while on active duty) are assigned to Wisconsin.
The licensing agency or credentialing board within the agency shall grant a reciprocal credential to an individual who the agency or the credentialing board determines meets all of the following requirements:
The individual applies for a reciprocal credential on a form prescribed by the licensing agency or credentialing board
The individual is the spouse of a service member, and the spouse and service member temporarily reside in Wisconsin as a result of the service member's service in the U.S. armed forces, a Reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, or the National Guard of any state.
The individual holds a license, certification, registration, or permit that was granted by a governmental authority in a jurisdiction outside this state that qualifies the individual to perform the acts authorized under the appropriate credential granted by the licensing agency or credentialing board.
The individual pays any required fees.
The individual meets any requirements established by the licensing agency or credentialing board by rule.
A reciprocal credential granted under this law expires 180 days after the date the licensing agency or credentialing board issues the reciprocal credential unless, upon application by the holder of the reciprocal credential, the licensing agency or credentialing board extends the reciprocal credential.
Contact WDVA's Veterans Benefits Resource Center by email, phone 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387), or via our live web chat.
Federal VA Benefits
For more information about specific Federal VA (VA/USDVA) benefits and services for family members, call 1 (800) 827–1000 or access information on the
VA website.
CHAMPVA (800) 733-8387
Education & Training (888) 442-4551
Home Loan Eligibility Center (888) 244-6711
VA Life Insurance (800) 669-8477
Office of Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (800) 419-1473
Direct Deposit (877) 838-2778
Headstones/Markers (status of claims only) (800) 697-6947
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) (800) 829-4833