Maine offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Maine Housing Benefits
Veterans Homes
Maine boasts six veterans’ homes situated in Augusta, Bangor, Caribou, Machias, Scarborough, and South Paris. These facilities provide residence to honorably discharged Maine resident veterans who have served at least one day of active duty, as well as to spouses, widows, widowers of qualified veterans, and Gold Star parents.
Home Loans
The Salute Home Again program, administered by the Maine State Housing Authority, extends a 0.5% discount on mortgages to active-duty troops, veterans, and military retirees. Eligibility is subject to income limits and the purchase price of your home. However, the majority of Maine households and homes meet the criteria. Specific limits may vary based on household size and the location of the intended home purchase.
Maine Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Income earned by military personnel while serving out of state is exempt from taxes. Additionally, military retirement benefits and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are also tax-exempt.
Property Tax Exemption
A resident Maine veteran, honorably discharged under circumstances other than dishonorable, who served during wartime and is aged 62 or older; or is receiving 100% disability compensation from the Veterans Affairs Department; or became 100% disabled while serving, qualifies for a $6,000 property tax exemption. Un-remarried surviving spouses of eligible veterans are also entitled to this exemption.
Paraplegic veterans and their qualifying spouses are eligible for a property tax exemption of up to $50,000.
Vehicle Registration Fee
Veterans who have been determined to have a 100% permanent and total, service-connected disability are waived from paying one registration fee, title fee, and driver license renewal fee.
Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance
Maine veterans facing emergencies without adequate savings or access to financial aid may qualify for up to $2,000 in assistance. Qualifying emergencies include situations such as damage to the veteran’s home from fire, flood, or hurricane not covered by insurance; illness causing hardship to the veteran or family member; prevention or resolution of veteran homelessness; and any other condition endangering the veteran’s access to basic necessities like food, shelter, or safety.
Maine Veteran Employment Preference
Veterans and Gold Star spouses who meet the minimum qualifications for a state job will be granted an automatic interview.
Maine Education Benefits
Veterans Dependents Educational Benefits
Maine provides a full tuition and fees waiver at state schools for dependents of Maine veterans under specific circumstances. These include cases where the veteran is permanently and totally disabled, missing in action from active duty, died due to a service-connected disability, or was killed in action.
To qualify, the veteran must have entered service from Maine or been a resident for five years preceding the aid application. If living, the veteran must continue residing in Maine for the duration of benefit administration.
Spouses have ten consecutive years to complete the program, while children have six consecutive years.
State of Maine Guard Tuition Assistance
Maine extends a 100% tuition waiver to members of Maine’s National Guard, enabling them to enroll in any of the institutions within the University of Maine and Maine Community College systems, as well as Maine Maritime Academy.
Maine Veteran Recreation Benefits
Hunting & Fishing Licenses for Disabled Veterans
A disabled veteran with a service-connected disability of at least 50% is eligible to receive a complimentary license for fishing, trapping, and hunting in Maine. This comprehensive license covers various activities such as archery, muzzleloader, bear hunting, migratory bird hunting, pheasant hunting, spring/fall wild turkey hunting, coyote night hunting, crossbow use, one expanded archery antlerless deer permit, and, upon meeting qualifications, a guiding license.
These licenses remain valid for the lifetime of the holders as long as they continue to meet residency requirements.
Recreation Area Admission Fees
Free admission to Maine state parks, museums, and sites is available to the following individuals:
- Maine veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable.
- 100% disabled Maine veterans and their dependents.
- Maine residents who are enlisted active-duty members and their dependents.
Active-Duty Military Hunting and Fishing Licenses
Maine residents on active duty, along with their dependents, are eligible to purchase discounted hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing licenses.
Hunting and Fishing Licenses for Non-Resident Active-Duty Members
Military personnel stationed in Maine, along with their dependents, are eligible to pay the resident fee for a hunting, fishing, or trapping license.
Maine Veterans Memorial Cemeteries
The Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System comprises four cemeteries: one in Caribou, two in Augusta, and one in Springvale. Burial services are provided at no cost to veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, along with their dependents.
