Many Kansans have answered the call to serve and protect our nation, both at home and abroad.  Their loyalty to our country, its values, and its citizens is unparalleled.  In return, we, as a state, greatly admire them for the many sacrifies they must make.  The State of Kansas remains dedicated to doing everything possible to assist them and their families, not only while they are deployed, but also when they return home.

The military and their families play integral roles that extend beyond that of serving our nation--within our local communities they are role models, volunteers, and mentors.  Because of their committment to bravely serving our communities and country, Kansas is committed to serving them and their families.
            
                                                                            Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson

The following is a list of services and benefits provided by the State of Kansas.

Funeral Picketing
This requires protesters to stay at least 150 feet from any entrance to a cemetery, church, mortuary or other location where a funeral is held or conducted. The bill also prevents demonstrations from occurring within one hour prior to, during and two hours following the commencement of a funeral service. It is also unlawful for any person to knowingly obstruct funeral services or a funeral procession.

Pay Differential
For state employees, the state will make up any difference between the pay and allowances Kansas National Guard members and reservists receive from the military and their state salary at the time they were called to active duty. The maximum amount paid is $1,000 per month.

Activation Payment
There is a one time payment of $1,000 made to state employees upon activation for 180 days or more. These payments will be made retroactively to all National Guard members and reservists who have been activated since September 11, 2001.

Governor's Military Council
An executive order was signed in early 2006 to revamp this council following the decommissioning of the Governor's Strategic Military Planning Commission. The new council has the primary duties of supporting members of the military stationed in Kansas, promoting the important role of the military in the state, protecting and growing our military presence in Kansas and advocating for improved quality of life for the military in Kansas.

Tuition Assistance
The tuition to attend state universities, community colleges, or vocational technical colleges will be covered for dependents of Kansas residents who are killed in the line of duty while in the United States Armed Forces or the Kansas National Guard. Tuition assistance is also provided for former Prisoners of War.

In-state Tuition
Residents can return to Kansas within 60 months of departing the state and qualify for instate tuition.

In-state Tuition for Military Family Members
Any dependent of a member of the United States Armed Forces stationed in Kansas will be allowed to qualify for in-state tuition; their tuition status will not change to out of state as long as they are consecutively enrolled at a regent institution even if their sponsor's status changes due to a new assignment.

Refund or Credit for Tuition
The Board of Regents has enacted a system-wide policy stating that when a member of the United States Armed Forces who is a student in a Kansas regent institution is activated and must leave school, that person will be given a refund or credit for the tuition paid.

Complimentary Tuition
The state will provide up to 10 semesters of free college tuition to soldiers who have served at least 90 days on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, can be redeemed at any Kansas public college or university.

Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Free Hunting and Fishing Licenses: Kansas Guard Members can receive annual hunting and fishing licenses without charge.

First Time Home Buyers Program
The First Time Homebuyers Program (FTHB) provides down payment assistance to qualified Kansas buyers for the purchase of their first home. The program is for persons who have incomes at or below 80 percent of the median income for their area. The loan may be from 15 to 20 percent of the purchase price of the home, awarded on a sliding scale, depending on the applicant’s income level. Buyers are expected to make a minimum investment of $500 or two percent of the sale price, whichever is greater. Private lenders process the second mortgages in conjunction with the first mortgage financing. This program is provided through the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.

Spouse Employment
Kansas statute considers military spouses who are forced to leave their position due to their spouse's military orders as an involuntary separation from work and therefore eligible for unemployment insurance.

Emergency Relief
Available to members of the Kansas National Guard and Reserves and their families that are Kansas residents to make ends meet during emergency situations in which other avenues of support have been exhausted.

State Hiring
Any veteran who is eligible for veteran’s preference and who meets the minimum requirements for a posted vacant state position is offered an interview.

State Agency Review
The Governor and Lt. Governor have called on all state agencies to review their policies and procedures to identify additional assistance that can be given to any members of the military.

State Income Tax Filings
The Secretary of Revenue shall continue reviewing to ensure full compliance with federal law extending tax return filing dates and other required payments and reports for military personnel serving in a combat zone and their families.

Business Tax Credits
Tax credits for businesses which employ a member of the Kansas Army or Air National Guard or United States Reserves who was unemployed when they were deployed and returns home.

Vehicle Registration
If a solider is stationed in the state and claims Kansas as their permanent residence then they can have up to two motor vehicles registered and not pay property taxes. Or if a solider is a Kansas resident and they are deployed to another state and their motor vehicle is in another state then they do not have to pay property tax on up to two motor vehicles. Or if a solider does not claim Kansas as their permanent residence while they are in the state then they are not subject to personal property tax under the Federal Soldier's and Sailor's Civil Relief Act.


Registration Grace Period
Returning deployed military personnel with an expired registration have a seven day grace period to properly register their vehicles in their home county.

Grants to Veteran Service Organizations
Veterans services are provided through organizations such as the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign War.

Annual Hunting License
Active duty military personnel stationed in Kansas can purchase all annual state resident licenses, permits and stamps. Active duty military who were Kansas residents at the time of entering the military and immediate family members domiciled with them may purchase resident licenses, permits and stamps, except lifetime licenses.

Permit Refund
Big game permit fees may be refunded to any United States Armed Forces personnel experiencing a change of duty prior to the first day of season, preventing the use of the permit.

Elk Draw
Fort Riley soldiers are given special consideration in drawing permits.

Deployment Refund
The Department of Wildlife and Parks can reissue big game or turkey limited draw permits to military personnel forced to forfeit their limited draw permit due to deployment.

Free Vital Statistics Records
Requests for vital statistic records by all members of the Kansas National Guard who have received an alert notice of pending active duty or have already been placed on Federal active duty for mobilization and their dependents shall be fulfilled without charge. Veterans may receive a free copy of their vital statistics records if they apply through the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs.

Open Records
Kansas Open Records Act exempts military discharge papers to openness requirements.

Professional License
Shall continue to be valid while an individual is in military service and for six months following their release. No licensee shall be required to pay a renewal fee, submit a renewal application, obtain continuing education or meet other conditions while on active duty. Also, no license shall expire, lapse or be canceled, revoked or suspended while an individual is on military service. Within six months after their release from active duty or within two weeks of engaging in activities that require a license, the licensee must file the completed application and renewal fee to maintain licensure. They have one year to complete required continuing education requirements.

Armory Renovations
Bonds to finance the renovation, reconstruction and repair of the 54 statewide armories.

Kansas Lottery
Launched two instant games, $2 Sunflower Salute and $1 Veterans Cash. All net profits were used for: Fifty percent to Kansas National Guard Education Assistance Act scholarships. Fifty percent for the Kansas Soldiers’ Home, the Kansas Veterans’ Home, and the state veteran’s cemetery system.

Veteran's Reunion
Held at El Dorado State Park receives a special event permit and an average 25 percent discount on camping fees.

Kansas Public Employees Retirement System Military Benefits
Additional service credit increases the amount of a member’s monthly retirement benefit and possibly allows them to retire earlier. Granted Military Service Credit: Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) can grant active military service at no cost to members if their military service interrupts their public service. They must be employed in a covered position immediately before and immediately after the active military service. Purchased Military Service Credit: Members can purchase year for year of active military service and one quarter of service credit for each year of military reserve service. Basic Life Insurance: Active KPERS members receive basic life insurance equal to 150 percent of their annual gross income. Employers pay for the cost of this benefit. If a member goes on military leave, their basic life insurance coverage continues for the duration of the military leave at no cost to the employee. Optional Life Insurance: Optional life insurance coverage is provided in addition to the basic life insurance. Employees pay their own premiums for this coverage at group rates, depending on the amount of coverage.

National Guard Foundation
Established to help families/soldiers with needs which the Guard is not authorized to pay or doesn’t have other programs to cover.

Kansas Family Programs Office
Kansas Family Programs Office is in the Adjutant General’s Dept. It provides a place for the military to go for help to get their questions answered. They put together the reintegration training, pre-deployment training, and also are responsible for coordinating Family Readiness Groups around the state to support families while their soldiers are deployed. The Family Readiness Groups are typically lead by a spouse of a deployed soldier and that call each other spouses in a certain region to offer support, get together for activities, etc. The Family Programs Office also has Family Assistance Centers throughout the state which provide help to the military member and their family and help connect them with resources.

Service Credit: Additional service credit increases the amount of a member’s monthly retirement benefit and possibly allows them to retire earlier.

Granted Military Service Credit: Kansas Public Employees Retirement System (KPERS) can grant active military service at no cost to members if their military service interrupts their public service. They must be employed in a covered position immediately before and immediately after the active military service.

Purchased Military Service Credit: Members can purchase year for year of active military service and one quarter of service credit for each year of military reserve service.

Basic Life Insurance: Active KPERS members receive basic life insurance equal to 150 percent of their annual gross income. Employers pay for the cost of this benefit. If a member goes on military leave, their basic life insurance coverage continues for the duration of the military leave at no cost to the employee.

Optional Life Insurance: Optional life insurance coverage is provided in addition to the basic life insurance. Employees pay their own premiums for this coverage at group rates, depending on the amount of coverage.