Massachusetts offers various benefits for veterans. On this page, you’ll find a concise overview of each of these benefits.
Massachusetts Veteran Housing Benefits
Soldiers’ Homes
Massachusetts operates soldiers’ homes in Holyoke and Chelsea, providing both residential and long-term care services.
Homeless and Transitional Housing
Massachusetts allocates funding to nonprofit organizations offering housing to eligible veterans. These services encompass emergency homeless shelters, group residences, and single-room occupancy housing units, available at numerous locations across the state.
Massachusetts Veteran Financial Benefits
Income Tax
Retired military pay and Survivor Benefit Plan payments are exempt from taxes.
Property Tax Exemptions
Disabled veterans may qualify for a property tax exemption ranging from $400 to $1,500. To be eligible, veterans must meet the following criteria:
- Have a disability rating of at least 10% from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
- Be legal residents of Massachusetts.
- Occupy the property as their primary residence as of July 1 in the year of application.
- Have resided in Massachusetts for at least six months before entering the service (spouses excluded); or
- Have resided in Massachusetts for five consecutive years immediately prior to applying for the property tax exemption.
Spouses and surviving spouses may also meet eligibility requirements. Surviving spouses of veterans who died due to service-related causes may qualify for a complete tax exemption.
Motor Vehicle Excise Tax
Disabled veterans who have suffered the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or sight in one eye, or who have permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, as certified by the VA, are entitled to a motor vehicle excise exemption. This exemption applies only to one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, non-commercial use.
Motor Vehicle Sales Tax
Disabled veterans who have suffered the loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, or sight in one eye, or who have permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, as certified by the VA, are entitled to a motor vehicle excise exemption. This exemption applies only to one motor vehicle owned and registered for personal, non-commercial use.
Disabled Veteran Annuity
A biannual annuity totaling $2,000 is disbursed in two installments of $1,000 each on Aug. 1 and Feb. 1. This benefit is accessible to 100% disabled veterans, their spouses, Gold Star Parents, and un-remarried spouses.
Welcome Home Bonus
Massachusetts offers a bonus to veterans who resided in the state just before joining the armed forces. If a veteran passes away, the bonus is extended to the spouse, children, mother, father, siblings, or other dependents of the deceased veteran, in that order of priority.
Compensation for Guard Members Killed While on Active Duty
In the event of the death of a member of the Massachusetts National Guard due to injury, sickness, or disease incurred while on duty as per orders under Titles 10 and 32 of the United States Code, and where the death was not due to the fault or neglect of the deceased, a lump sum payment of $100,000 will be provided to the surviving spouse or other dependents.
Veteran Preference for State Employment
Massachusetts veterans receive veterans’ preference in civil service exams. Those who achieve a score of 70% or higher are given priority placement at the top of the exam list, with disabled veterans receiving the highest priority. For promotional exams, applicants receive an additional two points. In cases where there is no exam for a civil service job, veterans are entitled to veterans’ preference through a “provisional appointment.” In the labor force, veterans applying for positions are not obligated to take an exam and are placed at the forefront of the list.
Massachusetts Veteran Education Benefits
Tuition Waivers
Massachusetts veterans are provided with a tuition waiver to enroll in any state-supported undergraduate degree program offered by a public college or university. Eligibility for the waiver is based on availability of space, and veterans may receive full or partial tuition waivers.
Tuition and Fee Waivers for Guard Members
The Massachusetts National Guard Education Assistance Program offers a full tuition and fee waiver for Massachusetts National Guard members enrolled in state college, university, or community college programs. Typically, these programs are offered during daytime hours as part of a degree curriculum. Assistance remains available as long as the recipient maintains satisfactory academic standing and until they have completed 130 semester hours.
Massachusetts Veteran Recreation Benefits
Resident Hunting/Fishing Licenses for Military Personnel
Non-resident military personnel on active duty stationed in Massachusetts are eligible to obtain hunting and fishing licenses at the resident rate.
State Park Parking Fees
Vehicles displaying a disabled veteran license plate from any state are exempt from day-use parking fees. However, this exemption does not extend to camping fees.
State Veterans’ Cemeteries
Massachusetts has two state veterans cemeteries, located in Agawam and Winchendon, where eligible veterans can be interred at no charge. However, a nominal fee applies for the burial of spouses and eligible dependents.
